You Season 5: Everyone Still Alive Who Could Help Take Down Joe Goldberg

Joe Goldberg has left a trail of destruction across multiple cities, deceiving, manipulating, and eliminating anyone who gets too close to the truth. However, despite his cunning ability to evade capture, several individuals remain alive who know his true nature and they could be key to bringing him down. Yes, Jenna Ortega's Ellie may play a huge role!

Those Who Know Who Joe Really Is

All images courtesy of Netflix.

1. Will Bettelheim

Joe spared Will in Season 2, fully aware that he could be a liability. Their dynamic was unlike Joe’s usual relationships. Given the bond they shared, there’s a possibility that Will might support Joe however, he did steal his identity, and maybe it's time for some revenge. Whether he becomes an ally or an adversary remains uncertain, but his knowledge of Joe’s past makes him a potential wildcard.

2. Nadia

One of Joe’s most tragic victims, Nadia, witnessed his brutality firsthand when he murdered her friend right in front of her at the end of Season 4. Rather than silencing her permanently, Joe took a more calculated approach by framing her for the crime and ensuring she was sent to prison. Nadia will likely be seeking revenge in season 5 however, this may be a difficult task due to her current living situation.

3. Marienne

Marienne is arguably the strongest contender in Joe’s downfall. After the events of Season 4, Joe believes she is dead, unaware that she has survived and now has every reason to seek revenge. Unlike many of Joe’s past victims, Marienne possesses both the intelligence and the emotional drive to take him down. She knows his true nature, has witnessed his manipulations firsthand, and, most importantly, is one of the few people who has successfully escaped his grasp. If she resurfaces, she could expose him in ways no one else can—making her a formidable threat to his carefully crafted new life.

4. Dr. Nicky

Dr. Nicky, the therapist who had an affair with Beck, became Joe's scapegoat, falsely accused and imprisoned for her murder in Season 1. In Season 2, he attempted to warn Forty about Joe, however, this, unfortunately, was no help. Dr Nicky, similar to Nadia, will be wanting revenge.

5. Paco

Paco, Joe’s young neighbor from Season 1, at the time, didn’t fully understand the extent of Joe’s crimes and was manipulated into staying silent—unknowingly enabling Joe to continue his deadly spree. Many viewers might assume that Paco, having once seen Joe as a protector, would still support him. However, now older and with a clearer understanding of what happened, he could be a ticking time bomb. If the weight of his past catches up to him, Paco might finally break his silence, becoming a key witness in exposing Joe once and for all.

The Season 2 & 3 Survivors Who May Turn Against Joe

These individuals believed Joe was dead after Love Quinn’s rampage. Now that he’s back in New York, his survival could raise huge red flags for them once connecting a few dots...

6 & 7. The Quinns (Dottie & Ray, Love’s Parents)

After losing both their children, the Quinns have every reason to dig into the truth. They could become formidable threats—especially with their wealth and influence to back them up.

8 & 9. Dante & Lansing

Dante and Lansing are currently raising Joe’s son, Henry, and will likely want to do whatever they can to keep him safe.

10 & 11. Theo & Matthew Engler

Theo barely survived his encounter with Love, narrowly escaping the same fate as many of Joe and Love’s victims. Meanwhile, his father, Matthew, is a wealthy and resourceful man with the means to uncover the truth.

12 & 13. Sherry & Cary Conrad

Sherry and Cary Conrad, the influencer couple who survived Love’s murder attempts, could be a wildcard in Joe’s downfall. Having endured captivity in the infamous glass cage, they understood just how dangerous Love was—but what about Joe?

If they start digging deeper and realise the truth, their massive platform and social influence could become a major problem for him.

14. Fincher

Detective Fincher, a cop who was close to Delilah, remains a lingering threat to Joe.

15. Ellie

Jenna Ortega’s Ellie's absence in the story since season 2 is one that all viewers have been curious about. After Love killed her sister, Delilah, Joe sent Ellie away with hush money under the guise of protecting her. However, Ellie was never fooled—she knew Joe was hiding something more. If she ever resurfaces, she could be a major threat to him. With time and distance, she may have gained the courage and resources to expose Joe, especially if she’s been keeping tabs on him, which wouldn't be a surprise as she was seen as an internet wizz.

Other Potential Players in Joe’s Downfall

16. Dawn

Dawn, Lady Phoebe’s obsessive stalker, may have been unstable, but her paranoia led her to be one of the few people genuinely suspicious of Joe. If she ever resurfaces, she might possess key insights into his deception—especially regarding his time in London.

17. Lady Phoebe

Lady Phoebe is unlikely to turn on Joe, as she saw him as a protector during their time in London. Naïve and trusting, she never suspected his true nature and may even still view him in a positive light.

18. Ross

Detective Ross, the private investigator from Season 1, may have been dismissed at the time, but his lingering skepticism about Beck’s death could make him a major threat to Joe. The last time we saw him, he was reading Beck’s memoir with clear doubt, suggesting he wasn’t entirely convinced by the official story.

One overlooked detail from Season 1 that could come back to haunt Joe is the infamous jar of urine he left behind in Peach Salinger’s house. Although the DNA wouldn't likely remain, the fact that a DNA sample was once mentioned in relation to Peach’s death is significant. If Ross—or anyone else—decides to dig deeper into her case, missing pieces could start falling into place.

19. Claudia (Paco’s Mom)

While not directly involved in Joe’s past crimes, she might encourage Paco to come forward about what he saw.

20. Maddie

Candace’s friend who suspected Joe in Season 1. She could still hold suspicions and seek justice.

21. Karen

Joe’s ex-girlfriend. Though not a direct threat, she knows Joe’s pattern of behavior and could warn others.

22. Beck’s Dad

Similar to the Quinn’s, Beck’s Dad might seek to uncover the truth about his daughter’s death.

23. Ethan

Unlike many others in Joe’s life, Ethan wasn’t manipulated or harmed, making him one of the few people who interacted with Joe in a relatively normal capacity.

However, having worked closely with Joe during the time of Beck and Peach’s deaths, Ethan might recall small details that didn’t seem significant at the time but could now raise red flags.

24. Blythe

Blythe, Beck’s former friend and fellow writer, may not have been deeply involved in Joe’s orbit, but she could still pose a threat if she starts questioning the circumstances surrounding Beck’s death. As someone who was close to Beck, she likely noticed inconsistencies in the official story.

25, 26 & 27. Gabe, Lucy, and Sunrise (Love's Friends)

Love Quinn’s close friends from her time in Los Angeles may want to know what happened to their friend.

28 and 29. Sandy (Joe’s Mom) and Joe's Unnamed Brother

Joe’s mother’s fate remains unknown, but if she’s alive, she could be the final factor in his unraveling. Given his complex relationship with her, she might be the only person capable of shaking him to his core making him see that he has now become the monster he hated, his father.

It is worth remembering that at the end of Season 3, it was revealed that Joe has an unnamed brother that Sandy chose to raise and care for, unlike Joe. Seeing as this has not been touched upon since maybe we will meet him in the final season...

Joe has managed to escape the consequences of his crimes for years, but with so many people still alive who know his secrets, his time may finally be running out. As the final season approaches, it remains to be seen who will step up and deliver the justice Joe Goldberg has long evaded.

You Final Season release April 24, 2025, on Netflix Worldwide.