You Final Season Review: A Fundamentally Preposterous Show with an Insultingly Rubbish Ending
The popular Netflix series, You, has finally come to an end after five seasons, leaving viewers with a mixed bag of emotions. According to a review by The Guardian, the show’s conclusion is a "mess of its own making" that it tries, but inevitably struggles, to clear up.
The show’s premise, which revolves around Joe Goldberg (played by Penn Badgley), a serial killer and stalker of women, has always been fundamentally preposterous. As The Guardian notes, "You, in which a serial killer and stalker of women, but a sexy one, is somehow fashioned into the hero of the piece, is a fundamentally preposterous show." The show’s attempt to make Joe a likable and relatable character, despite his heinous crimes, has always been a challenge.
In its final season, You tries to shift its focus towards satire, aiming its dark humour at the ultra-rich. The show’s portrayal of Joe’s fame and his marriage to billionaire and philanthropist Kate Lockwood (played by Charlotte Ritchie) is a case in point. However, as The Guardian critic notes, "the satire has seeped out, leaving a mess of its own making that it tries, and inevitably struggles, to clear up."
One of the main issues with You is its inability to reconcile Joe’s character, who is both the hero and the villain of the show. As The Guardian points out, "the main problem is that Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) is both the hero and the villain." This dichotomy makes it difficult for the show to take a clear stance on Joe’s actions, leaving viewers wondering if he is truly a reformed character or just a serial killer.
The show’s attempts to address issues such as misogyny and online mobs are also criticised by The Guardian. The review notes that "there is talk of misogyny, of Joe’s delusional tendencies, and it even brings in ‘incels’ and online mobs – though You-ishly, it merely glances at that world, rather than addressing it in any meaningful way."
Despite some fan-pleasing cameos and callbacks to earlier storylines, the final season of You is largely a disappointment. The show’s conclusion is criticised for being "borderline insulting to the viewers who have stuck with it." As The Guardian notes, "it’s not You, but you, it suggests, that is the problem. Ironically, for a season all about elites, I found that a bit rich."
In an interview with The Guardian, Penn Badgley discussed his experiences playing a serial killer, saying "I hated my body and wanted a different one." This insight into Badgley’s thoughts on his character and the show’s themes adds depth to the review and highlights the complexities of You‘s exploration of identity and self.
Overall, the final season of You is a mixed bag, with some redeeming qualities but ultimately a disappointing conclusion. As The Guardian concludes, "You was always going to find it difficult to square its love of Joe with his flaws; it is never clear whether it really wants him to get his comeuppance, or if that is a tedious obligation it must fulfil."
You is now available to stream on Netflix.
Read more about the show: "You on Netflix: the awful, sociopathic show we’re absolutely addicted to" and "‘I hated my body and wanted a different one’: Penn Badgley on dysmorphia, sex scenes and playing a serial killer".
