After the fourth season of ‘You’ garnered immense critical praise and a devoted fan following, the show was granted a fifth and final season, which was confirmed after the conclusion of the fourth season on March 9, 2023. With a remarkable 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 53 reviews, and an average rating of 7.3/10, the fourth season continued to impress both critics and viewers alike. However, as the show’s premise of the hunter becoming prey in the London setting began to stretch the bounds of believability, the sardonic performance of Penn Badgley, who portrays the enigmatic Joe Goldberg, compensated for any minor lapses in logic.
Metacritic echoed the favorable sentiment, with a score of 73 based on reviews from 20 critics. The news of the show’s renewal left fans wondering whether they could expect the final season to be part of the 2023-24 streaming lineup on Netflix, particularly in August 2023. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding the release date. During the Global Netflix Tudum fan event in June 2023, a teaser was unveiled, revealing that the concluding chapter of Joe Goldberg’s chilling saga would return to the streaming platform in the subsequent year, allowing fans to prepare for the ultimate farewell to “You” in 2024.
As of now, no specific release date has been announced, but speculations suggest that early 2024, possibly February, is a probable release window, following the timeline of the previous season. The usual Netflix original series time slot of 12:00 a.m. (PT) or 3:00 a.m. (ET) is anticipated for the premiere. Those eager to stay informed about the exact release date can enable notifications for updates.
The show, based on Caroline Kepnes’ novel “You,” has taken Joe on a tumultuous journey to find “The One” across various cities, from New York to Los Angeles, then San Francisco, and finally London in the fourth season. The fourth season concludes with Joe’s return to New York City, now accompanied by his affluent partner Kate, while coming to terms with his immoral nature.
Penn Badgley’s captivating portrayal of Joe’s complex psyche has been a highlight throughout the series. While no additional cast members have been confirmed for the final season, it is expected that Badgley will reprise his role as Joe Goldberg for the concluding chapter. The shift in showrunner duties will see Sara Gamble stepping down, with Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo taking over.
Despite the series’ meticulous production schedule that spans months, delays may be possible due to the ongoing 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which have affected many Netflix shows. The final season is projected to comprise at least 10 episodes, maintaining the standard runtime of 41 to 60 minutes to ensure a consistent conclusion to the overall series arc. The potential for a supersized final season split into two parts remains uncertain, with future announcements expected to clarify this aspect.
As fans await the last installment, it is essential to keep an eye on official updates, considering the unpredictable nature of production amidst the strikes. With the final season set to premiere worldwide, fans from various time zones can anticipate a global release. “You” has carved its place as a gripping genre-hopping drama, and its final chapter is highly anticipated to bring the enthralling tale of Joe Goldberg to a compelling close.