“You” is a psychological thriller series that dives into the unsettling psyche of Joe Goldberg. Joe is a bookstore manager who has an obsession with love, which leads him to extreme measures.
The show was first released on Lifetime in 2018 before moving its way on over to Netflix, where the series gained significant popularity. Throughout the series, Joe’s fascination with women like Guinevere Beck, Love Quinn, and Kate Lockwood drives the narrative, showcasing his descent into darker behaviors. The show explores themes of obsession, identity, and the repercussions of toxic relationships.
Premiered on April 24, 2025, Season 5 marks the conclusion of Joe Goldberg’s dark journey. The final chapter returns to New York City, where Joe, now married to a billionaire, Kate Lockwood, seeks a peaceful life.
However, Joe’s past and a new obsession threaten to unravel everything.
This new season introduces Madeline Brewer as Bronte, a character who becomes entangled with Joe in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Bronte is an English student inspired by the Bronte sisters to add a fresh layer of tension to the narrative. The intense standoff between her character and Joe highlights the emotional depth of the final episodes.
Showrunners Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo, who took over from Sera Gamble, crafted a finale that deviates from the typical revenge arc. Instead of a dramatic death, Goldberg faces imprisonment, a fate that confines him from the human connection and interaction that he craves.
The season’s reception has been generally positive, with an 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show was praised for wrapping Joe Goldberg’s story before it became stale, delivering a conclusion that satisfies viewers’ curiosity.
As the final season of “You” unfolds, it offers viewers, new and long-time, a compelling exploration of obsession, consequence, and the human psyche, bringing people a proper end to Joe Goldberg’s twisted saga.