‘You’ Season 5 Review: New Showrunner, Same Old Status Quo

Following what was pretty enjoyable fourth season, Netflix announced that the fifth season of its hit television series You would be its last. It didnt come as a shock to many, given the show had gotten stale with its concept and there were only so many times Penn Badgely’s Joe Goldberg could fawn over a new love interest, whilst killing anyone who “wrongs” him to ensure that romance stays afloat, so when this season came closer to release it was only natural that audiences would anticipate something a little more different as the series draws to a close. Read our full You season 5 review.

However, You season 5 does not deviate from the previously upheld status quo in the slightest, instead introducing yet another love interest, and with a new showrunner, the show seems to have delved into smut territory. You is best known for Joe’s internal monologues and intense literary references but the show has taken that to a weird end of the spectrum, which may work for fans of Fifty Shades of Grey but the average viewer will definitely notice this uptick in sexual references, particularly in Joe’s use of vocabulary. 

On top of this, the show’s new love interest, Bronte (Madeline Brewer), is needlessly complex, making her motivations largely nonsensical and her goals incomprehensible. Joe has to grapple with this newfound love for yet another romantic interest with the love for his wife Kate Lockwood (Charlotte Ritchie) and son Henry (Frankie DeMaio). That already is a handful for any normal season of the show, but this season also had to grapple with the ending of the series, making it more challenging than ever. It does make it there mostly unscathed, but not without some bumps. Characters this season just feel underbaked, not receiving enough focus to be considered good.

The performances exhibited by the on-screen team of the show are as good as ever, and newcomer Anna Camp provides an excellent dual performance as the Lockwood twins Reagan and Maddie. Penn Badgely is as chilling and charming as before as the iconic serial killer, playing the role with wit and perfect timing. Also making a returning appearance this season is Zach Cherry, who has been on a roll recently having starred in both seasons of Apple TV+’s Severance. It was nice seeing the actor back, following his departure from the show back in season one. The same sentiment can be shared for Robin Lord Taylor, who returns as Will Bettelheim, and is a pleasant addition, returning to the early days of the show one final time. 

You season 5 is certainly far from perfect, cementing itself as the worst season of the show, but that does not mean it didn’t have its great aspects, with the strong performances keeping the show from dragging itself through the mud. As for lead Penn Badgely, the show ending may provide a ripe opportunity for the star to move onto bigger and better things and I truly hope he is confronted with that possibility. 

You season 5 stars Penn Badgely, Charlotte Ritchie, Madeline Brewer, and Anna Camp. All five seasons of the series are now streaming on Netflix which you can watch below.

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