The end is near for Joe Goldberg. After four seasons of stalking, manipulating, and, of course, murdering, Netflix’s psychological thriller You is gearing up for its fifth and final season. The show, based on Caroline Kepnes’ bestselling novels, has kept audiences hooked with its twists, dark humor, and chilling character study of a man who always seems to escape justice—until now.
Here’s everything we know so far about You Season 5, including the release date, plot details, and what’s next for Joe Goldberg.
When Will Season 5 Be Released?
Netflix has officially confirmed that You Season 5 will premiere on April 24, 2025. Unlike many recent Netflix series that have been split into two parts, this final season will be released all at once, meaning fans won’t have to wait weeks for answers.
To accompany the announcement, Netflix dropped a new teaser, offering a cryptic glimpse into Joe’s next chapter.
The Final Chapter: Joe Returns to New York
After Season 4’s shocking ending, Joe Goldberg is officially back in New York City, the place where his disturbing journey first began. This time, he’s wealthy, powerful, and seemingly untouchable—but can he really escape his past?
Netflix has teased the final season with an intriguing tagline:
“In the epic fifth and final season, Joe Goldberg returns to New York to enjoy his happiness… until his perfect life is threatened by the ghosts of his past and his own dark desires.”
Unlike previous seasons, where Joe constantly reinvented himself in new locations (Los Angeles, Paris, London), this time he’s coming full circle. According to the show’s creators, bringing Joe back to where it all started was always part of the plan.
Joe’s Transformation: From Hidden Killer to Public Figure
One of the most striking changes in Season 5? Joe is no longer hiding.
At the end of Season 4, Joe and his new lover Kate (Charlotte Ritchie) left London for New York, where Kate took control of her late father’s business empire. Now, Joe is no longer just a mysterious bookseller—he’s a rich, influential figure, surrounded by powerful allies.
According to series co-creator Sera Gamble, this changes everything:
“We always knew we wanted him to return to New York, to reclaim his real name, to shave his beard, and to look like the real Joe. But now, he belongs to the world he used to observe from a distance. He has resources. He has protection. And he has far fewer doubts about what he’s doing in private.”
With wealth, connections, and a new identity, Joe is more dangerous than ever. But he’s also more exposed.
Will Joe Finally Face Justice?
For years, Joe Goldberg has managed to slip through the cracks—charming his way out of trouble and pinning his crimes on others. But with the final season approaching, many fans are wondering: Will Joe finally get what he deserves?
According to the show’s creators, the answer isn’t so simple.
In an interview, Sera Gamble revealed that the team has always planned to end Joe’s story with a sense of justice—but what that justice looks like is still up for debate.
“The biggest question we ask in the writers’ room is: What is true justice for Joe Goldberg? What would hurt him the most? He’s been killing people in broad daylight for years, and he gets away with it because he’s charming. But at some point, there has to be a reckoning.”
Could Jenna Ortega Return as Ellie?
One of the most exciting possibilities for Season 5 is the return of Ellie Alves (Jenna Ortega), the teenage filmmaker from Season 2 who was one of the few people to see through Joe’s facade.
According to Gamble, they’ve always wanted to revisit Ellie’s storyline:
“We have so many ideas for Ellie. We miss her. We wanted to bring her back in Season 4, but Jenna’s schedule was packed. If it works out, we’d love to see her again.”
With Jenna Ortega’s rising fame, thanks to Wednesday, her return remains uncertain—but the writers seem determined to give Ellie one last showdown with Joe.
Joe’s Past Is Catching Up to Him
Another major clue about the final season? Joe will be forced to confront the survivors of his past crimes.
During Netflix’s Tudum fan event, Penn Badgley teased that Joe will finally face someone from his past who could take him down. The teaser included clips of familiar faces:
- Marienne (Tati Gabrielle) – The woman Joe tried to kill in Season 4 but who ultimately escaped.
- Dr. Nicky (John Stamos) – The therapist Joe framed for Beck’s murder in Season 1.
- Ellie (Jenna Ortega) – The only person who truly knows Joe’s secrets.
This hints that Joe might finally be exposed—but whether that means prison, death, or something even worse remains to be seen.
A High-Stakes Ending for an Iconic Antihero
As You heads into its final season, one thing is clear: Joe Goldberg’s days are numbered.
Whether he escapes again, faces justice, or meets a brutal end, Season 5 promises to be a thrilling, unpredictable finale. One last time, we’ll step inside the mind of Joe Goldberg—and see if he can survive the consequences of his own actions.
April 2025 can’t come soon enough.
