Pratik S
Netflix’s psychological thriller You has enthralled audiences with its twisted narrative, unpredictable characters, and chilling look at obsession. But after four gripping seasons, the final chapter has left fans deeply disappointed, with many calling its ending “insultingly rubbish.” Rather than delivering a fitting conclusion to Joe Goldberg’s saga, the show recycled old tropes, abandoned critical character arcs, and failed to stick the landing—an unfortunate exit for a show that once felt so fresh.
You Final Season – A Season That Started Strong But Lost Its Way
From the outset, Season 5 had the potential to give Joe Goldberg a grand, tragic, and satisfying sendoff. His return to New York, his marriage to Kate Lockwood, and his apparent attempts at reforming his ways all seemed like ingredients for a compelling final act. The show seemed poised to dive into themes of redemption, accountability, and the true nature of morality—but it quickly unraveled.
Instead of giving Joe an earned moment of reckoning, the season relied on predictable betrayals, shallow twists, and an ultimately meaningless reflection on society’s treatment of criminals. Fans who were expecting a complex, well-crafted resolution found themselves frustrated and disconnected by the final episode.
The Problematic Ending: Did You Give Up on Joe’s Story?
One of the most infuriating aspects of the final season was its unwillingness to fully commit to Joe’s downfall. Throughout the show, Joe has eluded justice, twisting reality to justify his horrific actions. Many expected Season 5 to give Joe the ultimate punishment—whether through the legal system or his own personal descent into madness.
Instead, the show sidesteps justice entirely. While Joe is indeed arrested, his final moments lean into a philosophical monologue that blames the world for his crimes rather than taking responsibility. The show ends with a vague, unsatisfying statement on human nature, leaving audiences feeling empty and annoyed.
Fan and Critic Reactions: The Internet Is Furious
Critics and fans alike have been vocal about their disappointment in Season 5’s lackluster ending. While early seasons of You were widely praised for their unique take on the psychological thriller genre, the final installment felt lazy, rushed, and lacking impact.
On social media, fans wasted no time in expressing their frustration:
- “I’ve never seen a show fumble its ending this badly. After investing years into You, this is what we get? Awful.”
- “Joe had YEARS of build-up, and this is how they wrap up his story? No consequences, no lessons learned. Just nonsense.”
- “Season 5 was basically a remix of Season 4 but somehow worse. Did they even try?”
Even Penn Badgley himself, who plays Joe, has subtly hinted that he wasn’t satisfied with the ending, admitting in interviews that he had hoped for a more impactful conclusion to Joe’s story.
Where Did You Go Wrong?
There are multiple reasons why Season 5 failed to deliver a fitting finale:
- Joe’s Lack of Growth: Despite claiming to seek redemption, Joe never truly changes. His self-reflection feels performative, and his final monologue implies that he still sees himself as a victim rather than a perpetrator.
- Wasted Supporting Characters: You has always thrived on its dynamic side characters, but this season failed to give them meaningful arcs. Kate, Nadia, and Rhys were reduced to one-note figures, adding little depth to the story.
- Predictable Plot Twists: Instead of fresh and shocking moments, Season 5 simply recycled old tropes—characters learning Joe’s secret, Joe manipulating the narrative, Joe escaping justice again. Nothing felt original.
- A Weak Statement on Morality: You previously explored power, obsession, and morality in fascinating ways, but its final season avoids making any real statement—opting instead for vague philosophical musings that fail to hold weight.
Could You Have Ended Better?
Yes—without a doubt. Fans have speculated on alternate endings that could have been far more satisfying, including:
- Joe finally facing justice in a public trial, exposing his crimes to the world.
- A psychological descent where Joe’s mind fully fractures, leading to a chilling, poetic demise.
- A tragic love story where Joe meets someone truly capable of understanding him—only to lose everything in the end.
Unfortunately, the actual ending didn’t deliver on any of these compelling possibilities. Instead, You closed its doors with an unsatisfying shrug, leaving audiences disappointed, frustrated, and questioning why they invested years in the series.
Final Thoughts
While You was once a bold and gripping psychological thriller, its final season failed to honor the intelligence of its audience. Rather than delivering a nuanced, thought-provoking ending, it relied on tired twists and vague philosophical musings, leading to an insultingly rubbish conclusion.
For longtime fans of Joe Goldberg, this ending felt like a betrayal of everything that made the show great. And as Netflix wraps up one of its most successful original series, one thing is clear—You deserved a far better send-off.
Read More:
- “This award is mine…”, Shah Rukh Khan’s post after receiving the National Award, but fans are worried after seeing the fractured hand
- Son Of Sardar 2 Review: Hit or Flop? How is Ajay Devgn- Mrunal Thakur’s ‘Son of Sardar 2’
- Taapsee Pannu’s amazing journey from South to Bollywood; Know her career
- Will This Bollywood Actress Get Married Soon? She Confirms Her Relationship With a Happy Update
- Kingdom Box Office Collection Day 1: Vijay Deverakonda’s Kingdom movie is a blast on the first day
While You had the potential to end on a high note, its lazy writing and recycled plotlines resulted in a disappointing finale. Fans deserved a thought-provoking, satisfying conclusion, but instead, they were left with an ending that felt rushed and insulting.
If you’re considering watching the final season, brace yourself for frustration—because this is one series that didn’t stick the landing.
Leave feedback about this