In the first episode of “Sweet Home” Season 3, the final chapter of Netflix’s high-budget monster series, Lee Eun-yu (Go Min-si) headbutts the “monsterized” Cha Hyun-su (Song Kang) in a desperate attempt to bring out his human side, even if just momentarily. This fleeting moment of hope quickly fades as it becomes clear that the series has not regained its footing after a dismal second season. Instead, Season 3 plunges to new lows, making it arguably the worst Korean drama of 2024.
The core issues plaguing this season mirror those of its predecessor: an unwieldy narrative, lackluster digital creature design, and a convoluted world-building that fails to engage. The first season succeeded by focusing on a small, manageable group of characters within a single building, striving for survival. This tight, cohesive narrative structure is reminiscent of successful films and series like “The Towering Inferno,” “The Raid,” and “Happiness.” However, Season 2 deviated from this formula, dispersing the survivors into the larger world and introducing an overwhelming array of new characters, including soldiers, civilians, scientists, and a myriad of monsters.
The transition from practical effects to an over-reliance on digital monsters in Seasons 2 and 3 diluted the impact of the creature designs. The unique, tactile monsters that once captivated viewers were replaced by forgettable digital creations, failing to leave a lasting impression.
Season 2 also faltered in expanding the show’s mythology. While “Sweet Home” originally thrived on a simple yet compelling concept—humans transforming into monsters that embody their deepest fears or desires—Season 2’s mythology became overly complex and confusing. This lack of coherence carried over into Season 3, with monsters exhibiting unpredictable behaviors and interacting with baffling inner “mind” worlds.
Despite these issues, Season 3 does not attempt to rectify the problems introduced in Season 2. Instead, it doubles down on them, resulting in a narrative that lacks conviction. Characters from the previous season linger without adding meaningful contributions to the story, and even the core characters from Season 1 have become unrecognizable.
Pyeon Sang-wook (Lee Jin-wook), once a hero, devolves into a convoluted antagonist, while Lee Do-hyun’s character transforms into a “neohuman,” an immortal yet emotionless being resembling a lobotomized zombie. By the end of Season 3, viewers may feel similarly drained and aimless.
As “Sweet Home” Season 3 draws to a close, one can only hope this marks the end of the series, leaving behind a cautionary tale of how a promising show can lose its way.
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