Emily in Paris season 5 is back—and we’re still hate-watching every minute of it

Emily In Paris is back with a brand new season, seemingly its last—and for avid fans, watching the show comes with a very specific ritual. You hit play knowing full well that you are about to roll your eyes. You promise yourself you will only watch one episode. You complain about the outfits, the men, the plotlines that make zero sense, and then, somehow, three hours later, you are still there. Episode after episode. Season after season.

That’s the magic (and madness) of Emily in Paris. It is not trying to be realistic, grounded, or culturally accurate. It never was. What it offers instead is glossy escapism—the kind that doesn’t demand emotional investment or intellectual effort. And in a world that feels perpetually exhausting, that kind of television has become irresistible to millennials and Gen Z, who are otherwise toiling in the hustle culture.

Escapism, but aggressively pretty

The lens through which we see Paris in Emily in Paris isn’t about it just being a city; it serves as a fantasy filter. Every corner looks like a postcard, every workday ends in wine, and life’s biggest problems can usually be solved with a good outfit, a bold lipstick, and a better attitude. From the very first season, the show has doubled down on optimism: Emily doesn’t speak French in France, regularly offends her colleagues at Savoir, struggles to win over her intimidating boss Sylvie Grateau, her love life is a mess, and yet she somehow succeeds, whether it’s landing a luxury brand campaign overnight or becoming an influencer with millions of followers simply by posting baguette selfies. It’s wildly unrealistic, but that’s precisely why it works.

For millennials burnt out on hustle culture and Gen Z already allergic to grim realism, Emily in Paris feels like a holiday from seriousness. Nothing is that deep. Nothing lasts too long. And everything looks good while falling apart, usually in front of Café de Flore, with Mindy delivering emotional support and comic relief on cue.

The clothes are the plot

Let’s not pretend otherwise: the fashion is the hook. Emily’s wardrobe is loud, clashing, occasionally confusing, and endlessly screenshot-worthy. Remember that infamous Season 1 red beret, along with the head-to-toe prints, neon coats, micro bags, and outfits that look more like mood boards than actual clothes? Some looks feel iconic, others feel like ridiculous dares, but all of them spark conversation. 

Every season brings a new wave of debate: Is this fashion or chaos? Would anyone wear this? Should anyone wear this? And the answer rarely matters. The spectacle does. Whether it’s Emily’s bold colour-blocking, Mindy’s stage-ready glamour, or Sylvie’s effortless Parisian tailoring, the show understands that maximalism, excess, and a little absurdity are part of its DNA, and it leans in unapologetically.

Romance that thrives on mess (SPOILER ALERT!)

In season 5, Emily’s love life remains as chaotic as ever. Relationships bloom quickly and unravel just as fast, leaving behind unresolved tension that keeps viewers guessing. From her long-running will-they-won’t-they with Gabriel, to her cutesy romance and messy breakup with Marcello, to the emotional back-and-forth with Alfie, the show continues to use love as one of its major sources of drama. The latest season ended with Gabriel asking Emily to join him in Greece, so would she? Should she?

Is it predictable? Mostly, yes. Is it effective? Also yes. The romantic indecision is frustrating, but it is also familiar. We don’t watch because we expect emotional maturity. We watch because we enjoy the mess.

The comfort of cringe

Part of Emily in Paris’ appeal is that it’s watchable without being impressive. The dialogue is broad, the conflicts—whether it’s a blown pitch meeting, a misunderstood Instagram caption, or office tension at Agence Grateau—resolve quickly, and the stakes never feel too high. You can watch it while scrolling through Instagram, or play when your friends come over and have nothing to do, or you can just hate-watch it, and it still works.

And that is why it has become such a perfect “cringe-binge.” It thrives on memes, group chats, and live reactions—from collectively groaning at Emily’s fashion faux pas to debating whether Gabriel is actually worth all this chaos. You are not just watching the show; you are reacting to it in real time, often with friends who are doing the exact same thing.

Why it still works

At its core, Emily in Paris understands something important: not every show needs to be prestige TV or a life-altering piece of art. Sometimes viewers just want colour, romance, chaos, and a fantasy life that looks nothing like their own. 

So yes, it’s unrealistic. Yes, it’s cringe. Yes, you will complain about it the entire time. And yet, when the next season drops (if it does), you will still watch it in a weekend. Because Emily in Paris isn’t trying to be profound, it is trying to be fun. And somehow, against all odds, that’s enough.

Lead image: Netflix

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