Emily in Paris Season 5 Review: A Stylish but Uneven Romp Through Rome

Few shows divide audiences quite like Emily in Paris. For some, it’s a guilty pleasure—a glossy, escapist fantasy where fashion, romance, and Parisian charm collide. For others, it’s a frustrating exercise in shallow storytelling and cringe-worthy stereotypes. Season 5 attempts to shake things up by relocating Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) from Paris to Rome, but does the change of scenery bring fresh energy, or does it just recycle the same old formula?

After four seasons of navigating French culture (and French men), Emily’s move to Italy promises new professional challenges, romantic entanglements, and, of course, plenty of Instagram-worthy outfits. But does Emily in Paris Season 5 deliver on its potential, or does it stumble under the weight of its own predictability?

In this review, we’ll break down the story, performances, direction, and whether this season is worth your time—especially if you’re streaming it on Netflix.

Emily in Paris Season 5 picks up with Emily now heading Agence Grateau’s Rome office, a promotion that thrusts her into a new world of Italian fashion, business rivalries, and romantic complications. The season’s official synopsis teases:

“Now the head of Agence Grateau Rome, Emily faces professional and romantic challenges as she adapts to life in a new city. But as soon as everything finally falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks. Seeking stability, Emily leans into her French lifestyle until a big secret threatens one of her closest relationships. Tackling conflict with honesty, Emily emerges with deeper connections, renewed clarity, and a readiness to embrace new possibilities.”

At its core, Emily in Paris remains a fish-out-of-water comedy-drama, but this time, the fish is swimming in the Tiber instead of the Seine. The season introduces new characters—including Minnie Driver, Michèle Laroque, Jonathan Cake, and Bryan Greenberg—while keeping fan favorites like Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), Camille (Camille Razat), and Mindy (Ashley Park) in the mix.

With 10 episodes totaling just under 4.5 hours, the season is a breezy watch, but does it pack enough substance beneath its stylish surface?

Moving Emily to Rome was a smart creative choice—new city, new conflicts, new fashion inspiration. The first few episodes do a decent job of establishing her struggles with Italian work culture (where hierarchy and tradition reign supreme) and her attempts to balance her American directness with European diplomacy.

However, the pacing feels uneven. Some episodes (“Rome Has Fallen,” “The One Where Emily Goes to the Embassy”) crackle with tension, particularly when Emily’s professional missteps lead to personal fallout. Others (“Second Chances,” “Fashion Statement”) meander, relying too heavily on romantic subplots that feel recycled from past seasons.

One of the biggest criticisms of Emily in Paris has been its overreliance on the Emily-Gabriel-Camille love triangle. Season 5 doesn’t abandon this trope—instead, it expands it. New love interests (including Bryan Greenberg’s charming but underdeveloped character) are introduced, but the emotional stakes never feel as high as they should.

That said, Mindy’s storyline gets a welcome upgrade. Ashley Park’s comedic timing and chemistry with new characters (particularly a potential love interest) bring much-needed levity. Meanwhile, Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) makes a surprise return, adding a layer of nostalgia and unresolved tension.

Without spoiling too much, the season’s “big secret”—hinted at in the synopsis—doesn’t land with the impact it should. The reveal feels rushed and underdeveloped, leaving some characters’ reactions feeling unearned. That said, the final two episodes (“La Belle Époque,” “Veni, Vidi, Venezia”) deliver a satisfying emotional punch, particularly in Emily’s personal growth.

✅ Pros:

• Rome provides a fresh backdrop with new cultural clashes and fashion inspiration.
• Some episodes (“Rome Has Fallen,” “The Embassy”) have stronger conflict and pacing.
• Mindy’s expanded role is a highlight.

❌ Cons:

• The love triangle still feels tired, even with new players.
• Some episodes drag, particularly in the middle of the season.
• The “big secret” doesn’t live up to the hype.

Final Score: 6.5/10 – A step up from Season 4 in some ways, but still struggles with consistency.

Lily Collins remains the show’s biggest asset. She sells Emily’s optimism, awkwardness, and occasional naivety with charm, even when the writing lets her down. That said, Emily’s character growth feels incremental—she’s still making the same mistakes (albeit in a new country).

Collins’ chemistry with Lucas Bravo (Gabriel) is still electric, but their dynamic has become predictable. Meanwhile, her banter with Lucien Laviscount (Alfie) is a standout, offering a more mature and playful alternative to the Gabriel drama.

• Ashley Park (Mindy) – The breakout star of the season. Mindy’s confidence, humor, and new romantic subplot make her the most compelling character outside of Emily.
• Lucas Bravo (Gabriel) – Charming as ever, but his character is stuck in romantic limbo. Bravo’s comedic timing still works, but Gabriel’s indecisiveness is starting to wear thin.
• Camille Razat (Camille) – Underused again. Camille’s arc this season is emotionally compelling, but she deserves more screen time.
• New Additions: Minnie Driver & Bryan Greenberg – Driver is delightful as a high-powered fashion executive, while Greenberg’s character feels like a missed opportunity—his chemistry with Emily is fun, but his role is too small.

✅ Pros:

• Lily Collins carries the show with her usual charm.
• Ashley Park steals every scene she’s in.
• Minnie Driver brings gravitas to her role.

❌ Cons:

• Gabriel’s character is stuck in neutral.
• Bryan Greenberg’s role feels underdeveloped.
• Camille is still sidelined despite having great material.

Final Score: 7.5/10 – The cast is strong, but some characters are wasted.

One of the biggest strengths of Season 5 is its visual storytelling. Rome is shot with vibrant colors, sweeping cityscapes, and intimate café scenes that make the city feel alive. The fashion is, as always, a highlight—Emily’s wardrobe evolves to reflect her new Italian surroundings, blending Parisian chic with Roman flair.

Director Andrew Fleming (who helmed several episodes) maintains the show’s light, airy aesthetic, but there’s a noticeable shift in tone when Emily faces professional setbacks. The darker moments (particularly in “Rome Has Fallen”) are handled with more nuance than in past seasons.

Emily in Paris has always had a strong musical identity, and Season 5 is no exception. The Italian pop and French electro-swing tracks fit the vibe, but some songs feel repetitive—especially the overuse of “La Vie en Rose” in key moments.

✅ Pros:

• Rome is beautifully shot, making the city a character in its own right.
• Fashion remains a standout, with Emily’s wardrobe reflecting her growth.
• Darker moments are handled with more depth than in past seasons.

❌ Cons:

• Some musical choices feel overused.
• A few scenes drag visually, particularly in the middle episodes.

Final Score: 8/10 – A visual feast, even if the pacing falters at times.

✔ Rome provides a fresh setting – The new city brings new conflicts, fashion, and cultural clashes.
✔ Mindy’s expanded role – Ashley Park steals the show with her humor and confidence.
✔ Stronger emotional moments – The final two episodes deliver genuine character growth.
✔ Lily Collins is still magnetic – Even when the writing falters, she sells Emily’s charm.
✔ Gorgeous cinematography – Rome is shot with warmth and vibrancy.

✖ The love triangle is exhausting – Even with new love interests, the Gabriel-Emily-Camille dynamic feels stale.
✖ Uneven pacing – Some episodes drag, while others rush key moments.
✖ Underdeveloped new characters – Bryan Greenberg’s role feels like a missed opportunity.
✖ The “big secret” doesn’t land – The reveal lacks impact and feels rushed.
✖ Some jokes fall flat – The cultural stereotypes (Italian vs. American work ethics) are played for laughs but feel tired.

Emily in Paris Season 5 isn’t for everyone, but it knows its audience. Here’s who will enjoy it:

✔ Fans of lighthearted rom-coms – If you loved Sex and the City or The Bold Type, this is your kind of show.
✔ Fashion enthusiasts – The costumes, styling, and Italian fashion world are a major draw.
✔ Travel lovers – Rome is beautifully shot, making it a great armchair travel experience.
✔ Longtime viewers – If you’ve stuck with Emily this far, Season 5 offers enough callbacks and character moments to satisfy.
✔ Those who enjoy guilty pleasures – It’s not high art, but it’s fun, fluffy, and easy to binge.

❌ Who should skip it?
✖ Viewers who want deep character development – Emily’s growth is incremental at best.
✖ Those tired of love triangles – The Gabriel-Emily-Camille saga continues.
✖ People who dislike stereotypes – The show leans heavily on cultural clichés (American vs. European work ethics).
✖ Fans of tight, fast-paced storytelling – Some episodes drag, and the pacing is uneven.

Emily in Paris Season 5 is a mixed bag—visually stunning, occasionally funny, but ultimately uneven. The move to Rome breathes new life into the series, offering fresh conflicts and gorgeous cinematography. However, the love triangle fatigue, underdeveloped new characters, and inconsistent pacing hold it back from greatness.

If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll likely enjoy it—especially for Mindy’s expanded role and the stronger emotional beats in the finale. But if you’ve been on the fence about Emily’s antics, this season won’t change your mind.

Emily in Paris Season 5 is far from perfect, but it delivers exactly what fans expect: gorgeous visuals, romantic drama, and a healthy dose of escapism. The move to Rome injects fresh energy into the series, even if the storytelling remains uneven.

If you love the show, you’ll enjoy it. If you’ve been on the fence, this season won’t convert you—but it’s not the worst entry in the series.

For a fun, fluffy, fashion-filled escape, Emily in Paris Season 5 is worth your time. Just don’t expect Shakespearean depth—this is cotton candy TV, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

Where to Watch: Emily in Paris Season 5 is exclusively on Netflix, with all 10 episodes available to stream now.

Final Rating: 7/10 – Pretty, predictable, but occasionally delightful.