After five seasons of romantic delusions, poor impulse control, and way too many literary references for one lifetime, You has wrapped its final chapter. When You first debuted on Lifetime in 2018, few people noticed. Then, Netflix picked up the show, and suddenly Penn Badgley's Joe Goldberg was everywhere: brooding in bookstores and libraries, murdering people in the name of “love,” and somehow becoming the internet’s most problematic crush.
Over the course of five seasons, the show managed to become both a guilty pleasure and a dark satire, poking holes in the idea of the tortured nice guy who's just a romantic at heart. You season 5 takes Joe back to New York, where his serial killing truly began. But he is no longer hiding; he’s rich, powerful, and rebranded, thanks to his wife Kate Lockwood (Charlotte Ritchie). However, Joe will be Joe, which means his return to NYC is less redemption arc and more descent into glossy, unhinged chaos.
All 10 episodes of You season 5 dropped on April 24, 2025. As the season unfolds, it becomes clear that Joe is back in his element, but this time, his actions lead to a reckoning.
Set three years after the tumultuous events of season 4, Joe and Kate have rebuilt their lives in New York City as a married couple. Kate is now the CEO of her father’s company, steering it toward non-profit endeavors, which puts her at odds with her cutthroat sister, Reagan (Anna Camp). The family drama intensifies as Joe's old habits resurface.
When Kate faces corporate troubles, Joe's White Knight syndrome kicks in, pushing him to unleash his darkest impulses. As charming as Joe might be, he is a monster who relishes the pain he causes, and his crimes are far more severe than Kate ever imagined. This sets her on a desperate investigation to uncover the truth about Joe.
Meanwhile, Joe finds a new romantic interest in Bronte (Madeline Brewer), a wannabe writer who shares his love for literature. However, Bronte is not just another victim; she is secretly investigating the death of Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail), Joe's first victim. This new dynamic complicates Joe's already tumultuous life.
As the season progresses, Joe's obsession with Bronte grows, leading to a series of manipulative and violent encounters. Joe is once again caught in a web of deceit, but this time, he is not the only one pulling the strings. Bronte, whose real name is Louise, is part of a group of Redditors who believe Joe killed Beck and are determined to bring him to justice.
In a pivotal moment, Kate, Nadia (Amy-Leigh Hickman), and Marienne (Tati Gabrielle) team up to trap Joe in his own glass cage, forcing him to confess to his crimes. However, Joe manages to escape, leading to a bloody confrontation with Kate that leaves both of them severely injured.
As the tension escalates, Maddie (also played by Anna Camp), Reagan's twin sister, enters the fray. After being manipulated by Joe into killing her sister, Maddie sets fire to Mooney's bookstore, where much of the season's drama unfolds, hoping to eliminate Joe once and for all.
Despite the chaos, Joe's charm remains potent. He manages to convince Bronte of his innocence, even as he spirals deeper into his violent tendencies. The season is filled with twists, including Joe's attempt to flee the country with Bronte, but fate has other plans.
In the season finale, Bronte confronts Joe with a gun, revealing her true intentions. In a desperate struggle, Joe attacks her, leading to a dramatic showdown where Bronte ultimately gains the upper hand. The police arrive just in time to arrest Joe, who is finally held accountable for his actions.
The final moments of You season 5 leave viewers with a chilling realization: Joe may be behind bars, but he remains a toxic, narcissistic figure, still questioning whether he is the sole guilty party for his actions. The show ends on a haunting note, forcing the audience to reflect on the societal fascination with characters like Joe Goldberg.
As the dust settles, the fates of the other characters unfold. Kate survives the fire and retains custody of Henry, Joe's son. Nadia returns to writing and teaching, while Maddie avoids prison time and embraces motherhood. Bronte, having edited Beck's book to restore its original text, finds a new purpose in honoring her friend's memory.
Ultimately, You season 5 serves as a fitting conclusion to Joe Goldberg's story, exploring themes of obsession, manipulation, and the consequences of one's actions. With its blend of suspense and dark humor, the final season not only ties up loose ends but also challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of love and morality.
For those who have followed Joe's journey from the beginning, the final season is both a satisfying and unsettling experience, leaving fans pondering the implications of Joe's actions long after the credits roll. You season 5 is now available to stream on Netflix.
