'You' final season review: Penn Badgley's 'insultingly rubbish' ending disappoints fans
Season 5 of You ends with a disappointing finale, despite Penn Badgley’s strong performance. Discover why the series falters in its final moments and leaves fans unsatisfied.
Netflix's You concludes with a final season that critics describe as a disappointing and convoluted end to an already implausible series. The show, which centers on Joe Goldberg a serial killer portrayed with an unsettling charm—once thrived on its over-the-top, self-aware satire. However, by its fifth season, it loses its footing, wavering between portraying Joe as a hero or a villain. Now living openly in New York as a public figure married to billionaire Kate Lockwood, Joe's attempts at reform are quickly undermined when a new romantic obsession develops, recycling the same tired narrative arc.
The central issue lies in the series' inability to reconcile Joe's dual nature as both protagonist and antagonist. This contradiction becomes more pronounced in the final season, where the narrative struggles to maintain coherence. Joe's transformation from a reformed academic in London to a public figure in New York is abrupt and lacks depth, making his character's evolution feel unearned. This lack of introspection leaves the audience with more questions than answers, diminishing the impact of the series' conclusion.
"You" season finale review: disappointing ending, shocking twist, and missed ethical opportunities
The finale's attempt at a twist ending falls flat, relying on contrived scenarios that fail to deliver the emotional payoff expected from such a long-running series. The resolution of key plot points feels rushed and unearned, leaving viewers unsatisfied with the narrative's closure. Rather than providing a thought-provoking or poignant conclusion, the finale opts for shock value, which undermines the show's earlier attempts at exploring complex themes.
The show's portrayal of Joe as a charismatic yet dangerous individual continues to be a central theme, but the final season fails to address the ethical implications of romanticizing such a character. While earlier seasons engaged with this theme more critically, the final season seems to embrace it without question, presenting Joe's actions as part of a thrilling narrative rather than confronting the moral issues they raise. This approach risks normalizing harmful behavior and sends a troubling message to the audience.
"You" season finale review: Penn Badgley's strong performance can't save a disappointing ending
Despite the show's decline in quality, Penn Badgley's performance as Joe Goldberg remains a highlight. His portrayal continues to captivate, bringing depth to a character that has become increasingly difficult to sympathize with. However, even Badgley's strong performance cannot salvage a narrative that has lost its way. The final season's reliance on spectacle over substance diminishes the impact of his work, leaving a sense of unfulfilled potential.
In conclusion, You's final season fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion to its complex narrative. The series' inability to resolve its central contradictions, coupled with a lackluster finale, leaves viewers with a sense of disappointment. The ending serves as a stark reminder of the challenges inherent in concluding a long-running series and the importance of staying true to the narrative's core.