You're Done! Showrunners Reveal the Shocking Finale & Joe Goldberg's True Monster Within
After five seasons of captivating twists, psychological thrills, and obsessive stalking, the reign of Joe Goldberg in Netflix's You has finally come to an end. But how did the showrunners deliver such a definitive conclusion? Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo, the creative minds behind the series, sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to dissect the complex journey, the shocking finale, and the unsettling truth about Joe's character – revealing just how deeply rooted his monstrous tendencies truly are.
The finale, a significant departure from the show’s established road trip format, was a deliberate choice to create a claustrophobic and intense atmosphere. “We wanted to create a contained environment, a sense of inevitability,” Foley explained. The shift allowed the writers to focus on the core dynamic: Joe’s self-deception and the cyclical nature of his behavior. Instead of running, Joe was forced to confront the consequences of his actions, trapped within a web of his own making.
Lo elaborated on the challenges of crafting a satisfying conclusion for a character as morally ambiguous as Joe. “The tricky thing is, you can’t really redeem Joe Goldberg,” he stated. “He’s a fundamentally damaged person, and that’s what makes him compelling. The goal wasn’t to absolve him, but to show the ultimate, logical endpoint of his choices.” This perspective shaped the narrative, ensuring that the finale felt both earned and unsettling.
Throughout the series, You has skillfully blurred the lines between victim and perpetrator, inviting viewers to empathize with Joe despite his horrific actions. The showrunners acknowledged this complexity, noting that part of Joe's appeal lies in his ability to manipulate and rationalize his behavior. However, the finale pulls back the curtain, revealing the true extent of his manipulation and the devastating impact it has on those around him. The decision to portray Joe's final actions, even in a seemingly controlled setting, emphasized the inescapable darkness within him.
The co-showrunners also addressed the evolution of Penn Badgley's performance as Joe.