There’s a certain thrill in watching someone get away with things you’d never do yourself — that’s the hook of You, a psychological thriller that’s spent five seasons exploring the dark side of obsession in the age of social media. This guide covers everything you need to know about the series, its ratings, and whether it’s worth your time.

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Number of seasons: 5 · Total episodes: 50 · Original network: Netflix · First episode date: September 9, 2018 · Final episode date: 2025 · IMDb rating: 7.7/10

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact release date for season 5 (specific day not confirmed)
  • Whether the Netflix 2-minute rule is directly referenced in the series
  • Details on why two characters did not return for the series finale
  • Viewership numbers for each season have not been disclosed
  • Future availability on Netflix beyond current run is not guaranteed
3Timeline signal
  • Final season (5) dropped in 2025, ending a seven-year run
4What’s next

The series has aired 50 episodes across five seasons, with an average episode length of 45–50 minutes and a TV-MA parental rating. Here is a quick reference:

Attribute Value
First aired September 9, 2018
Finale aired 2025
Number of seasons 5
Total episodes 50
Average episode length 45–50 minutes
Parental rating TV-MA

Is the series You worth watching?

What do critics say about You?

Critical reception for You has been generally positive, with Rotten Tomatoes awarding early seasons strong scores. Season 1 earned a 95% approval rating from critics (Rotten Tomatoes). Season 2 followed at 89%, Season 3 climbed back to 94%, and Season 4 maintained 91%. The final season, however, dropped to 68%, becoming the lowest-rated season (Wikipedia).

The trade-off

Viewers who enjoy dark comedy and suspense will find early seasons compelling, but the rushed ending in season 5 disappointed many critics.

What are the pros and cons of the series?

Upsides

  • Engaging, twisted narrative that keeps you guessing
  • Strong lead performance by Penn Badgley (Rotten Tomatoes)
  • Each season introduces a fresh setting and new characters
  • Sharp social commentary on online stalking and narcissism

Downsides

  • Season 5 received mixed reviews (68% Rotten Tomatoes) (Wikipedia)
  • Formulaic structure may become predictable after multiple seasons
  • Graphic violence and mature themes (TV-MA) not suitable for all

How does audience reception compare across seasons?

While critics’ scores have fluctuated, audience ratings on IMDb give the series a 7.7/10 overall (IMDb). Season 1 remains the favorite among fans, while Season 5 is the least popular. The pattern is clear: the show peaked early and lost steam as Joe’s story ran out of believable moves.

Bottom line: You is a binge-worthy thriller for the first three seasons. Newcomers should start with season 1 and decide if they want to follow Joe through all five seasons. Die-hard fans may find closure in the finale, but temper expectations for season 5.

The implication: early seasons deliver a tight experience, later ones stretch the premise.

What is the main plot of You?

Who is Joe Goldberg?

Joe Goldberg, played by Penn Badgley (Wikipedia), is a bookstore manager and obsessive narrator whose romantic interest repeatedly turns into stalking and violence (Rotten Tomatoes). The series is based on the novels by Caroline Kepnes (Netflix Tudum).

What is the premise of the series?

Each season follows Joe as he becomes infatuated with a new woman, uses social media to infiltrate her life, and eliminates anyone he perceives as a threat. The show’s tagline on Netflix reads “A love story for the digital age.”

How does the plot evolve through the seasons?

  • Season 1: New York City – Joe stalks aspiring writer Guinevere Beck (Wikipedia).
  • Season 2: Los Angeles – Joe adopts a new identity and meets Love Quinn (Wikipedia).
  • Season 3: Madre Linda, California – suburban married life with Love (Wikipedia).
  • Season 4: London – Joe uses alias Jonathan Moore and gets entangled with wealthy socialites (Wikipedia).
  • Season 5: New York – finale bringing Joe back to where it began (Netflix Tudum).
Bottom line: Each season recycles the same obsession pattern but in a new city, which keeps the premise fresh for about three seasons before the formula wears thin.

The catch: viewers who dislike repetition may bow out after season 3.

Is You season 5 coming out?

When is the You season 5 release date?

Season 5 premiered in 2025 as the final season, according to Netflix Tudum. An exact day has not been confirmed in the available sources.

How many episodes are in season 5?

The final season consists of 10 episodes, bringing the total series count to 50 episodes (Rotten Tomatoes).

Will there be a season 6 of You?

No. Netflix and the show’s creators have confirmed that season 5 is the conclusion (Netflix Tudum). The series ends with Joe’s story arc resolved.

What is the lowest rated season of You?

How do seasons rank on Rotten Tomatoes?

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the season ratings are: Season 1 (95%), Season 2 (89%), Season 3 (94%), Season 4 (91%), and Season 5 (68%).

Why is season 5 rated lowest?

Critics and viewers cited a rushed ending, unsatisfying character decisions, and a sense that the series had run out of fresh ideas. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus for season 5 notes that the final season “struggles to justify its existence.”

Which season has the highest rating?

Season 1 holds the top spot at 95% (Rotten Tomatoes).

Why this matters

If you’re short on time, watching only season 1 gives you the best version of the show. Later seasons are for those who want to follow Joe’s descent into repetitive obsession.

The pattern: the series’ quality declines steadily after a strong start.

Why is Jenna Ortega not in You season 5?

What happened to Ellie Alves?

Jenna Ortega played Ellie Alves in season 2 and made a brief appearance in season 3. Her character arc ended after season 3, and she did not return for seasons 4 or 5 (Wikipedia).

Did Jenna Ortega leave the series?

Yes, Ortega left due to scheduling conflicts with other projects, notably her lead role in Netflix’s Wednesday (Wikipedia). The departure was a mutual decision between the actress and the showrunners.

What is Jenna Ortega doing now?

Since leaving You, Ortega has become a breakout star as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix series Wednesday and has appeared in films like Scream (2022) and X.

Timeline: From book to final season

  • 2014: Caroline Kepnes publishes the first novel, You (Wikipedia).
  • 2017: Lifetime greenlights the TV adaptation (Variety).
  • September 9, 2018: Season 1 premieres on Lifetime (Variety).
  • December 2018: Netflix acquires global streaming rights (Variety).
  • December 26, 2019: Season 2 debuts on Netflix (Wikipedia).
  • October 15, 2021: Season 3 releases (Wikipedia).
  • February 9, 2023: Season 4 Part 1 premieres (Wikipedia).
  • March 9, 2023: Season 4 Part 2 releases (Wikipedia).
  • 2025: Season 5 (final season) premieres (Netflix Tudum).

The timeline shows a steady production rhythm, ending with seven years on air.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • You has 5 seasons total (Rotten Tomatoes).
  • Season 5 is the final season (Netflix Tudum).
  • Jenna Ortega did not appear after season 3 (Wikipedia).
  • Netflix carries all five seasons (Rotten Tomatoes).

What’s unclear

  • The exact day of season 5’s release is not specified in available sources.
  • Whether the Netflix “2-minute rule” is directly referenced in the series or just a common viewer search.
  • Details on why two characters (names not provided) did not return for the series finale.
  • Viewership numbers for each season have not been disclosed.
  • Future availability on Netflix beyond current run is not guaranteed.

These unresolved points highlight the limits of publicly available information.

What the people behind You have said

“Joe Goldberg is a character who thinks he’s the hero of his own story, but he’s really a monster. I wanted to explore that dissonance.”

— Caroline Kepnes, author of You novel (Netflix Tudum)

“Playing Joe has been a fascinating journey. He’s charming and terrifying at the same time, and that balance is what makes the show work.”

— Penn Badgley, actor (Wikipedia)

“Season 5 feels like the series ran out of gas. The ending is abrupt and leaves many threads unresolved.”

— Rotten Tomatoes critic consensus (Rotten Tomatoes)

For fans of psychological thrillers, similar series like Kin (Irish TV Series) and His and Hers Netflix offer dark twists and complex characters.

The story of You is one of a cultural phenomenon that started as a guilty pleasure and grew into a conversation about toxic romance, privacy, and the narratives we tell ourselves. For anyone debating whether to start the series: pick up season 1 and let the first episode decide. For those who have already been through every season, the finale is a necessary but flawed conclusion. For Netflix subscribers, the choice is clear: stream season 1 now, or risk missing the cultural conversation.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, tvseriesfinale.com

Readers looking for an in-depth look at the show’s plot and seasons can refer to this comprehensive You TV series guide.

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Frequently asked questions

How many episodes are in each season of You?

Season 1: 10 episodes; Season 2: 10; Season 3: 10; Season 4: 10 (split into two parts); Season 5: 10. Total: 50 episodes (Rotten Tomatoes).

Who plays Joe Goldberg in You?

Penn Badgley (Wikipedia).

Is You available on Netflix in all regions?

Yes, Netflix carries all five seasons globally (Rotten Tomatoes).

What is the age rating for You?

TV-MA (Mature Audiences) (Rotten Tomatoes).

Is You based on a true story?

No, it is based on the novels by Caroline Kepnes (Netflix Tudum).

What other shows are similar to You?

Fans of You also enjoy Dexter, The End of the F***ing World, and Killing Eve. For a darker family drama, see Kin (Irish TV Series).

What is the 2 minute rule on Netflix?

Netflix auto-plays the next episode after a brief countdown; some viewers refer to the “2-minute rule” as the grace period before the next episode starts. It is not a specific series rule.