Penn Badgley has officially said goodbye to Joe Goldberg, the infamous killer from Netflix’s You. With the series wrapping up after its fifth season, Joe’s fate took a surprising turn. Instead of being killed off a consequence many fans anticipated after his 21 murders Joe was sentenced to prison. This decision left the audience divided; while some appreciated the unexpected twist, others felt the ending lacked the intensity of earlier seasons.
Why Joe Was Sent to Prison, Not Killed
In a recent interview with Variety, showrunners Justin Lo and Michael Foley explained the reasoning behind Joe’s ending. Foley shared, “He deserves to not get away with what he’s done. We don’t want to redeem him. We want him to face the truth and himself.” The writers aimed to ensure that Joe confronted the wreckage he left behind, refusing to give him an easy way out through death.
WHAT AN ACTORR, FUCKING PHENOMENAL. JUST STOOD AND APPLAUDED FOR HIM AFTER THAT FINALE #PennBadgley #YouNetflix #Youseason5 pic.twitter.com/T1stkpjGWX
— mk (@mkbooming) April 25, 2025
Justin Lo added that the writing team took a weekend to deeply reflect on Joe’s fate. The emotional discussion included personal experiences and passionate debates, ultimately leading to the decision that prison a life without freedom, touch, or affection was the harshest punishment Joe could endure.
Also Read: The Final Twist: ‘You’ Ending Revealed – Does Joe Goldberg Get Away Again?
A Final Critique of Joe and the Audience
One standout moment in the finale was Joe reading letters from fans who continued to admire him, with one even requesting to be his next victim. The showrunners explained that this scene was a subtle critique not just of Joe, but of society’s fascination with charming villains. Michael Foley emphasized, “In the end, Joe can’t be held accountable. The problem is always somebody else.”
As You concludes, it leaves behind a chilling reminder: true evil often hides behind a smile and sometimes, punishment is far worse than death.
