The finale of ‘You’, the popular but problematic series, fails to provide closure and instead leaves viewers questioning the show’s tone and intentions. After five seasons, the show has abandoned its satire, opting for a predictable and formulaic narrative that fails to engage.
The main issue with Joe Goldberg, played by Penn Badgley, is that he is both the hero and villain of the show. The character’s evolution from a stalker to a “good guy” is inconsistent and unconvincing. His marriage to billionaire Kate Lockwood, played by Charlotte Ritchie, provides a necessary shift in his narrative arc, but it ultimately leads to a revival of the show’s most problematic elements.
The finale relies on contrived plot twists and a convoluted narrative that fails to deliver any meaningful commentary on the themes of misogyny and online culture. The show’s attempts at satire are shallow and misguided, making light of serious issues in favor of cheap laughs and fan-pleasing cameos.
Ultimately, ‘You’ is left with no choice but to confront its own problematic nature. However, instead of facing it head-on, the finale resorts to a flippant and insulting message that suggests viewers are the problem, not the show’s characters or creators. This tone-deaf conclusion is a fitting end to a series that has always struggled to balance its satire with its central character’s problematic tendencies.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/apr/24/you-final-season-review-penn-badgley-an-insultingly-rubbish-ending