After adventures in Los Angeles, Paris, and London, Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) has made his much-anticipated return to New York City, and it feels exhilarating. Well, as exhilarating as a serial killer with obsessive stalking tendencies can feel, I suppose. Having escaped the consequences of his actions in London, Joe is back in the city that never sleeps, this time as himself—Joe Goldberg—rather than the various aliases he’s adopted in the past, such as Will Bettelheim, Jonathan Moore, or Rhys Montrose. Through his marriage to Kate Lockwood (Charlotte Ritchie), Joe has transformed into the seemingly perfect husband. However, You quickly escalates the tension in its final season by intricately weaving together family drama, resolving lingering plotlines, and introducing a new object of Joe’s intense desires.
‘You’ Season 5 Revitalizes Its New York Roots
The significance of New York City is more pronounced than ever in You‘s fifth and final season, as it becomes clear that this series shines brightest when it’s set in the vibrant streets of New York. The Los Angeles storyline was enjoyable, largely thanks to the character of Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti), and while London provided a unique perspective on Saltburn, Joe’s true essence thrives in the Big Apple. Moreover, Penn Badgley’s performance resonates more deeply against the backdrop of the city, with each scene feeling reminiscent of a Gossip Girl revival, merging the world of You with New York’s cultural allure.
Returning to New York also means a return to Mooney’s, the cherished bookstore where Joe once found solace among its collection of rare books, inviting ambiance, and, oh yes, the infamous hermetically sealed cage in the basement. Although Joe now enjoys a comfortable life as Kate’s trophy husband, co-parenting their son, Henry (Frankie Demaio), the nagging urge to kill has not vanished.
As Kate’s philanthropic direction for her family’s business gets underway, she must navigate a treacherous landscape filled with family members more concerned with their personal agendas than any altruistic endeavors. Central to this conflict is Kate’s half-sister Reagan (Anna Camp), her somewhat shallow twin, Maddie (Camp), Reagan’s charming husband, Harrison (Pete Ploszek), and Kate’s half-brother, Teddy (Griffin Matthews). As Kate strives to maintain control over the company, an impulsive choice leads Joe back to his violent tendencies, this time motivated by his love for Kate rather than a personal vendetta. This unleashes a torrent of chaos for Joe, and while Season 5’s drama echoes that of Succession, the thrill of witnessing Joe in his element is unparalleled.
‘You’ Season 5 Introduces Joe’s Latest Obsession
While it’s amusing to watch Joe attempt to lead a “normal” life, let’s be honest: the audience tunes in to see Joe Goldberg as the serial killer, not just Joe Goldberg as the doting father and husband. Fortunately, You swiftly immerses us back into the tumult of Joe’s obsessive existence. Unlike the poorly received Season 4, this season does not attempt to cast Joe as a misunderstood savior for the underprivileged, nor does it rely on convoluted hallucination plots.
Season 5 of You takes us back to the core of the narrative, literally, when we are introduced to the captivating Bronte (Madeline Brewer), who reveals her admiration for Guinevere Beck’s (Elizabeth Lail) literature. Bronte, an aspiring playwright, shares Joe’s passion for literature, reveling in both sophisticated novels and enticing romance stories. Their instant connection is palpable, and as Joe’s marriage with Kate falters, he discovers a new “you” to obsess over and center his life around.
However, this new “you” is unlike any of his previous obsessions, possessing a treasure trove of secrets that complicate Joe’s life even further. The twists and turns in You’s final season are among its most captivating. Brewer portrays her character with an intriguing charm, and as the truth about her emerges, the narrative pieces start to align. Brewer’s chemistry with Badgley surpasses his dynamic with Ritchie, elevating their interactions to a magnetic level. While You must keep Joe and Kate’s relationship in some form, it often hampers the pacing of the season when it is poised to gain momentum.
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Hey, ‘You.’
‘You’ Season 5 Highlights Anna Camp’s Remarkable Performance
Observing Brewer’s character evolve throughout the season is undeniably a delight—she reveals just enough to keep the audience intrigued while ensuring her character remains grounded and relatable. However, the unexpected standout performance does not belong to Brewer or even Badgley; it’s Anna Camp who truly shines in this season as she portrays both the ruthless and cunning Reagan alongside the goofy and lighthearted Maddie. Among the new characters introduced this season, these twin sisters are certainly the most memorable.
Reagan exhibits a vicious cruelty that impacts everyone around her, including her own child, and her cutthroat demeanor becomes apparent during her confrontations with Kate, which are a joy to watch. She is incredibly easy to despise, making her an ideal antagonist, especially when she remains blissfully unaware of being in the presence of a volatile serial killer. In contrast, Maddie is sweet, silly, and generally harmless. While she has her flaws, she appears saintly when compared to the ruthless Reagan—her interactions with Joe are among the highlights of the entire season. Camp deftly navigates the complexities of both characters, showcasing her talent by seamlessly switching between each twin’s distinct personality.
‘You’ Final Season Delivers Thrilling Tension with Less Bloodshed
While previous seasons of You have been marked by intense gore, featuring bodies being dragged away, blood trails leading through homes, and Joe donning heavy-duty rubber gloves as he disposes of evidence, Season 5 takes a different approach. Compared to its predecessors, this season maintains a notably lower body count, instead opting to delve into Joe’s past and revisiting his previous crimes. Longtime viewers of You will be delighted to see many familiar faces appear, either in flashbacks or through present encounters.
Even though Season 5 lacks the bloodshed that characterized earlier seasons, it remains just as exhilarating and suspenseful. Will Joe finally face the consequences of his actions? Who exactly is Bronte? What fate awaits Kate’s family company? With each mystery unraveled, new challenges emerge, escalating the tension as Joe’s life descends further into chaos. Now that he has become infamous as a husband, anonymity is no longer an option for him. Ultimately, You Season 5 serves as a welcome return to its roots. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent the formula, which is a relief given the mixed reception of the previous season’s dramatic changes, and it successfully avoids leaving any major plot holes for the audience to ponder. Although the show still relies on a degree of television logic, nothing strays too far from its established narrative.
As much as Joe Goldberg manipulates those around him, he also manipulates the audience into believing there is something redeemable</strong hidden beneath his charming exterior. For a character who consistently knows the right words and can twist people’s perceptions, even his innermost thoughts do not shield us from his allure. While this marks the end of You’s journey, the finale leaves viewers with the sensation that there are still more stories waiting to be told, just when we believed the narrative was concluded.
You Season 5 is now available for streaming on Netflix in the U.S.
You
You returns to its roots, delivering an exciting final chapter to Joe’s tumultuous journey.
- Release Date
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2018 – 2024
- Directors
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Marcos Siega, Lee Toland Krieger, Cherie Nowlan, DeMane Davis, Kellie Cyrus, Marta Cunningham, Martha Mitchell, Victoria Mahoney, Erin Feeley
- Madeline Brewer and Penn Badgley exhibit exceptional chemistry, making their scenes engaging and thrilling.
- Anna Camp delivers a standout performance, skillfully portraying two contrasting twins.
- Season 5 offers a satisfying conclusion, effectively tying up major storylines.
- An overabundance of storylines can make the narrative feel bloated, disrupting the pacing.
