Penn Badgley Returns in ‘You’ Season 5: Fans React to Joe Goldberg’s New Chapter
Netflix’s hit psychological thriller You returns for its fifth and final season, and fans are buzzing with mixed reactions. Penn Badgley reprises his role as Joe Goldberg, the dangerously obsessive book lover, who’s now back where it all began — New York City — but with a twist.
In Season 5, Joe is no longer hiding in plain sight but instead living a life of luxury as the husband of billionaire CEO Kate Lockwood, played by Charlotte Ritchie. The new season explores Joe’s attempt to be a devoted father and husband while his disturbing past looms dangerously close.
Since the April 24 premiere, social media has been ablaze with reactions. Some fans are questioning their own attachment to the morally complex protagonist, joking, “Maybe he wasn’t the problem, maybe it’s us.” Others applaud the series for its gripping final arc and psychological depth.
“Joe’s return to New York feels like a full-circle moment,” wrote one fan, while another added, “I don’t know how to feel — I love him, but I know I shouldn’t.”
Season 5 dives deeper into Joe’s internal struggles, forcing viewers to confront their fascination with anti-heroes. With suspense, moral ambiguity, and emotional complexity, the final season delivers a fitting end to the dark journey of Joe Goldberg.
