Oscar winner joins Squid Game finale in surprise cameo

Warning: Season 3 spoilers ahead

The final season of the globally acclaimed Korean thriller Squid Game delivered a jaw-dropping surprise with the appearance of none other than Hollywood A-lister Cate Blanchett.

Released on 27 June, the last episode of the hit Netflix series features Blanchett as a mysterious new recruiter, marking her unexpected entry into the show’s deadly universe. The multi-awarded Australian actress and producer appears in the closing scene, set in Downtown Los Angeles.

As the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) rolls down his car window, he spots a suited Blanchett playing ddakji — a Korean street game central to the show's recruitment process — with a desperate-looking man. Their intense exchange of glances hints at a continuation of the chilling recruitment cycle.

Season 3 resumes with Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) abandoning his mission to dismantle the game and instead aligning with the Front Man. Blanchett’s cameo adds a new layer to the show's commentary on power, complicity, and systemic cycles.

Series creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk praised Blanchett’s performance, saying, “During the shoot, she reminded me of what true talent looks like. Even with just a few looks and lines, her performance was mesmerizing.”

“She was amazing at playing ddakji,” Hwang added with a smile.

He also reflected on the symbolic meaning of her character’s appearance: “Personally, I interpret it as, despite all of the noble efforts of so many people, the world still continues as it was before.”

Blanchett’s surprise cameo has sparked widespread buzz online, leaving fans speculating whether the game—and its haunting message—will ever truly end.