Emily in Paris Season 5 Review: A Stylish Escape That Knows Exactly What It Is
Emily in Paris Season 5
Look, if you’ve made it to Season 5 of Emily in Paris, you already know what you’re signing up for: over-the-top fashion, endless romantic drama, picturesque European backdrops, and a healthy dose of unrealistic workplace wins. This season doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it’s more like swapping the Eiffel Tower for the Colosseum—but it delivers the guilty-pleasure binge I’ve come to expect from Darren Star’s bubbly rom-com.
The big shift here is Emily (Lily Collins, still effortlessly charming) splitting her time between Paris and Rome, heading up Agence Grateau’s new Italian branch. We get stunning shots of Roman ruins, Venetian canals (complete with a chaotic fashion show during high tide), and plenty of pasta-fueled romance with Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini). It’s a fresh coat of paint on the formula: new city, new boyfriend, same whirlwind of miscommunications and heart-eye emojis. Emily finally seems a bit more grown-up—she makes tough choices without completely self-destructing, and there’s real emotional weight in her decision to prioritize the life she’s built in Paris over a fairy-tale Italian escape.
The supporting cast shines brighter than ever. Ashley Park’s Mindy gets a juicy love triangle that’s refreshingly messy (and ends on a killer cliffhanger), Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu’s Sylvie remains the iconic boss we all wish we had, and newcomer Minnie Driver as a chaotic princess/influencer steals every scene she’s in with pure camp energy. The outfits? Chef’s kiss—more sophisticated than early seasons, with Italian flair that had me pausing to screenshot.
That said, it’s not perfect. The plot still relies on contrived misunderstandings and product-placement-heavy “marketing genius” moments that strain believability (even for this show). Some storylines feel repetitive—how many times can Emily ping-pong between love interests?—and the endless luxury brand integrations can make it feel like a glossy ad at times. It’s shallow by design, and if you’re looking for deep character growth or realism, you’ll be disappointed.
But honestly? That’s why I keep watching. On a cold December day (it dropped just yesterday!), Season 5 was the perfect escapist treat: light, fun, and festive with its holiday-adjacent timing. It’s comfort food TV—predictable, indulgent, and utterly addictive. If you love the series, this might be one of the stronger seasons yet for its character maturity and scenic variety. If you’re a hater, it’ll probably just confirm your suspicions.
Rating: 7/10 – Ciao for now, but I’ll be back if there’s a Season 6.
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