You Season 5 Review

You Season 5, the final chapter of Netflix’s hit psychological thriller, dropped all 10 episodes on April 24, 2025. Starring Penn Badgley as the charming yet creepy Joe Goldberg, the show returns to New York City for a bloody goodbye. Fans have been hooked since Season 1, but does this last season deliver? Let’s break down the cast, story, and whether it’s worth watching.

The show, based on Caroline Kepnes’ books, follows Joe, a serial killer who obsesses over women, stalking and often killing them while thinking it’s love. Season 5 picks up three years after Season 4’s wild London adventure. Joe is back in New York, living a fancy life with his rich wife, Kate Lockwood (Charlotte Ritchie), and their son, Henry (Frankie DeMaio). He runs Mooney’s Bookstore again and seems to have it all. But his dark past and new temptations threaten everything.

Penn Badgley shines as Joe, playing him as both pitiful and terrifying. He told Netflix’s Tudum that returning to New York makes the show feel grounded yet sets up a “spectacular finish.” Charlotte Ritchie is great as Kate, a CEO trying to fix her own shady past while dealing with Joe’s secrets. Their marriage starts off happy, but cracks show fast. Madeline Brewer joins as Bronte, a young writer who works at Joe’s bookstore and sparks his old obsessive habits. She’s a nod to Season 1’s Beck, but some fans on X find her annoying.

The cast is packed with new and returning faces. Anna Camp steals scenes as Kate’s twin sisters, Reagan and Maddie Lockwood, bringing drama and laughs. Griffin Matthews plays Teddy Lockwood, Kate’s snarky brother-in-law. Tati Gabrielle is back as Marienne Bellamy, Joe’s Season 4 love who knows his dark side. Amy-Leigh Hickman returns as Nadia, still in prison, and Nava Mau plays a detective named Marquez. Elizabeth Lail makes a cameo as Beck, tying the show to its roots. These familiar faces thrill fans, but some X posts wish Jenna Ortega’s Ellie had returned too.

The story starts slow, setting up Joe’s new life and Kate’s family drama. Joe and Kate are New York’s “It” couple, but her uncle threatens to expose their secrets from London, where Joe killed and Kate covered up a scandal. Joe’s obsession with Bronte grows, and he faces trouble from Kate’s scheming sisters. The first few episodes drag, with critics like The Guardian calling the plot “repetitive” and “flabby.” By Episode 5, a big twist shakes things up, pushing the story into wild, uncharted territory. The final three episodes are intense, with action, murders, and Joe’s creepy “torture box” back in play.

What makes Season 5 fun? The show leans into its campy, soapy side. Joe’s voiceovers, full of twisted logic, are still chilling. A Taylor Swift song in one scene and a Billie Eilish track in the finale add pop flair. New Orleans, where the show was filmed, gives it a fresh vibe, with scenes at the New Orleans Museum of Art and Madison Street. The show tackles big ideas, like toxic masculinity and how society excuses charming abusers. But some reviews, like IGN’s, say it tries to be deep without really succeeding.

Not everyone loves it. Season 5 has an 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest of any season. The Guardian called the ending “insultingly rubbish,” saying it’s too silly and doesn’t know if Joe is a hero or villain. The Daily Telegraph said it’s “stultifying,” with too much padding. On X, @Raccoonnigga

 gave it a 7.5/10, liking the twin storyline but not the extra sex scenes. Others, like @HollywoodHandle

, praised its “intricate” story and “classic Joe Goldberg-isms.” Fans are split—some love the crazy twists, others think it’s lost the Season 1 spark.

The good parts? Penn Badgley’s acting is top-notch, making Joe both hateable and gripping. Anna Camp’s over-the-top twins add humor. The finale, especially the last episode, feels satisfying for many. ScreenRant said it “comes full circle” with enough twists to keep you hooked. The show’s binge release helps, letting you power through slower bits. It’s not perfect, but it’s never boring, with murders, betrayals, and Joe’s delusional charm.

The bad parts? The middle episodes feel long, and some characters, like Bronte, don’t click. The writing can be clunky, with lines like “the reliable misogyny of the internet” that sound forced. Critics at The Wrap say it’s “absurd” and not fun anymore, missing the sharp satire of earlier seasons. If you hated Season 4’s slow pace, you might struggle here too. Still, the show knows its fans love the chaos and delivers plenty of it.

Is it worth watching? If you’ve followed Joe since Season 1, you’ll want to see how it ends. It’s messy but entertaining, like a soap opera with blood. Newcomers should start with Season 1 for context. You can stream all episodes on Netflix with a subscription. Check out the trailer on Netflix’s YouTube channel to get a feel for the vibe. Season 5 isn’t the best, but it’s a wild ride that wraps up Joe’s story in a way fans will talk about. Dive in and decide for yourself.