NetflixWe’re down to just five finalists in Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2. With just days to go until the finale, we’re placing our bets on who will win, based on the previous results and what the fans are theorizing.
Let’s first point out that the Netflix competition series is a little harder to predict than, say, Physical: Asia. Why? Because the results in the Squid Game spinoff don’t solely depend on strength, strategy, and gameplay.
Those elements do come into play, but more often than not, the challenges also rely on alliances and sheer luck. One thing’s for certain: there’s a lot at stake. As was the case in the first season, the winner of Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 will bag a life-changing $4.56 million cash prize.
Still, before the finale drops on November 18, we can hazard a guess, and also take a look at who the fans are rooting for.
Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 winner prediction
NetflixOur money’s on Player 72, Perla Figuereo, to win Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 and take home the $4.56 million prize.
Following the events of Episode 8, ‘Faith’, the five finalists are as follows:
- Player 17 (Agnes)
- Player 72 (Perla)
- Player 183 (Steven)
- Player 302 (Dajah)
- Player 398 (Trinity)
Each player comes with their own strengths (and weaknesses), but Perla stands out. Not only has she been skilled at forming alliances, but she also takes a strong approach to the game.
For a little bit of background, Perla is 25 years old and a model, with a degree in Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies. But she’s held various positions over the years, having worked as an office production assistant at Fabletics and interned at Deadline, the American Pavilion at Cannes, and in Credit Research at JPMorgan Chase & Co.
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She entered Squid Game: The Challenge with her brother, Player 283 (Jeffrey), who was eliminated during Marbles. This was one of many moments in the Netflix series that showcased the emotions behind Perla’s gameplay.
During the Slides and Ladders challenge, for example, she grew visibly upset after her teammate was sent home, but she also proved that she can make tough decisions when it comes to winning.
Midway through the game, she got a card that said she had to send one team back to the start of the board. Even though Player 183 had been messing with her, she chose a team that would increase her chance of making it through.
As she later said, “I can’t even allow the outside noise to get in, because when it’s time to make decisions, I need to have the clearest mind.”
What’s more, she’s excellent at forming strong alliances. In the penultimate episode, her two closest friends – Player 302 (Dajah) and Player 398 (Trinity) – are still in the running. These friendships are built on genuine trust, and this is another reason Perla could make it to the end.
Netflix“I know for my alliance right now, it’s just me and Player 302, Dajah. No matter what, the only time we will go against each other is when we have to,” she says.
“And the same goes for Player 398, I want the best for him. He’s somebody that I feel like if he wins the money, he would do great things with it.”
That mindset could be what gives Perla the edge in the finale. While others have grown increasingly desperate to win, she’s approaching the game with a sense of purpose.
Plus, there’s the fact that her screentime has increased rapidly – an inevitability when there are less contestants, but even so, it’s the same pattern we saw with the Season 1 winner.
If Perla can maintain that composure into the final challenge, it might just be what wins her the $4.56 million.
Netflix fans don’t want this player to win
NetflixWhile fans are divided on who they think will win, there’s one contestant many don’t want to take home the prize: Player 183, Steven.
In the latest chapter of Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2, he became increasingly confrontational during Slides and Ladders, even laughing and joking as others were crying about contestants being sent home.
He’s also a professional poker player, and has mentioned winning large sums of money in the past. Of course, you can’t believe everything about a person from what you see of them on TV, but it’s enough to make viewers at home not root for him.
Taking to Reddit, one wrote, “I can’t stand 183 so def not him and his audacity to brag to 327 about having won big before was like a kick in the teeth! I think I’m rooting for Perla or Dajah.”
NetflixAnother said, “I definitely don’t want 183/Steven, some millionaire poker player, to win this. He was justified in going after Perla during Slides and Ladders but that was it. Dude is still too cutthroat about it but hey, every reality TV game show needs a villain and he’s the one this season.”
“As long as 183 doesn’t win I don’t care,” added a third. But not everyone is against him, including this person who said, “I can’t help but like 183, because at least he’s playing the game and putting on a show.”
As for who others think will win, one wrote, “017. She’s calculated and has played way smarter than a lot of the other players. I like 398 too.”
“Rooting for 398, or anyone else except 183,” said another, while a third added, “Rooting for 398 or 072! Anyone but 183. He’s already rich and has other opportunities to earn this kind of money. I truly hope he doesn’t.”
Who won Season 1?
NetflixMai Whelan, aka Mother Mai, won Squid Game: The Challenge Season 1. Although she took on a maternal role among the players, when it came to the challenges, she was as ruthless as she needed to be to win.
Since launching into global fame and wealth, Mai has used her platform and the cash for good, spending money and putting time into various charities related to wildlife, climate, and supporting the underprivileged.
You can keep tabs on her philanthropic activities by following her on Instagram here and her YouTube channel here.
The Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 finale lands on Netflix on November 18. Until then, check out how to apply for Season 3, whether the Mingle mutiny was real, and all the and the new shows coming to Netflix this month.