You Season 5 brought the twisted saga of Joe Goldberg to a dramatic close, concluding one of Netflix’s most addictive thrillers. Based on Caroline Kepnes’ best-selling book series, including Hidden Bodies, the final season dropped on April 24 with 10 new episodes — but despite its success in viewership, it failed to impress critically.
You Season 5 Dominates Charts Despite Backlash
According to Netflix’s Tudum, You Season 5 debuted at the top of the global streaming charts with 10.1 million views and 85.2 million hours viewed between April 21 and 27. It ranked as the No. 1 title in 37 countries and appeared in the Top 10 in 88 territories.
However, performance in the U.S. was notably weaker. Domestic audiences gravitated instead toward Ransom Canyon, a romantic Western, which came second that week with 9.4 million views and 73.9 million hours watched.
Fans Revisit Earlier Seasons Ahead of Finale
Ahead of Joe’s final chapter, viewers binge-watched older seasons. You Season 1 re-entered the charts in tenth place with 1.8 million views and 13.6 million hours viewed, signaling fans’ desire to revisit where it all began.
Still, the finale’s numbers pale in comparison to past seasons:
- Season 1: Over 40 million viewers in its first month after moving to Netflix
- Season 2: 54 million views in its debut month
- Season 3: 133.1 million hours viewed in two days
- Season 4 Part 1: 92 million hours, Part 2: 78.8 million hours
Critical and Audience Response to You Season 5
While every season of You has been Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, You Season 5 received the lowest score of the series:
- Season 1: 94% critics / 82% audience
- Season 2: 89% critics / 84% audience
- Season 3: 93% critics / 71% audience
- Season 4: 92% critics / 62% audience
- Season 5: 82% critics / 56% audience (Rotten)
The drop in audience reception suggests that viewers were less satisfied with Joe’s final arc — a departure from earlier praise.
Internal Link: Explore: You Season 4 Explained
What Happens in You Season 5?
For five seasons, Joe Goldberg sought love and moral justification for his violent actions. He framed himself as a protector, but left a trail of corpses, including girlfriends Beck and Love, and ex-girlfriend Candice.
In You Season 5:
- Joe is back in New York, living under his real identity.
- He is married to Kate, who accepts his past.
- He’s raising his son Henry and hasn’t killed in three years.
- A break-in at Mooney’s Bookstore disrupts his life.
- His desire for love and acceptance reignites his inner darkness.
This final descent leads Joe down a path of self-deception and confrontation, bringing his cycle of obsession to a definitive — if divisive — end.
Why Season 5 Underperformed Critically
Critics suggest several reasons for the series’ weaker reception:
- Repetitive storytelling: Joe’s pattern became predictable.
- Diminished stakes: Knowing Joe won’t face consequences reduced suspense.
- Tone shift: Season 5 leaned more into psychological complexity than previous seasons’ thrilling pace.
Still, many praised Penn Badgley’s layered performance, calling it one of his best in the series.
Is This Really the End for Joe Goldberg?
Netflix has stated that You Season 5 is the final season, and showrunner Sera Gamble confirmed the story has concluded. Still, in the world of streaming TV, revivals are never off the table.
As all five seasons remain available for streaming, You leaves behind a compelling — if controversial — legacy as one of Netflix’s most watched and discussed psychological dramas.
