After eight years and six gripping seasons, Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale concluded its run with a series finale that aired on May 27, 2025. The finale, aptly titled “The Handmaid’s Tale,” has sparked widespread discussion among fans and critics alike, delivering a mix of closure, reflection, and anticipation for the upcoming spinoff, The Testaments. Based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 dystopian novel, the Hulu series has been a cultural phenomenon since its debut in 2017, tackling themes of resistance, oppression, and resilience in the totalitarian regime of Gilead. This article dives into the finale’s key moments, its emotional weight, and what lies ahead for the franchise, while exploring why the ending left some fans satisfied and others wanting more.
The series finale, directed by star Elisabeth Moss and written by creator Bruce Miller, takes a quieter, more introspective approach compared to the explosive penultimate episode. In the second-to-last episode, titled “Execution,” viewers witnessed the shocking deaths of three major characters—Commanders Nick, Lawrence, and Wharton—setting the stage for a Gilead in chaos. The finale shifts focus to June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss), who walks through a liberated Boston, reflecting on her harrowing journey as a handmaid. The episode culminates in June returning to the ruins of the Waterford home, where she was once held captive, and beginning to record her memoir—the very story that becomes The Handmaid’s Tale.
This circular storytelling, mirroring the show’s opening monologue from 2017, resonated deeply with Moss. In an interview with Variety, she shared that the final scene “gives me chills,” emphasizing how it brings June’s arc full circle. “It’s her time as a handmaid. And at the end, she’s nobody’s handmaid: She’s Onjune,” said Miller, highlighting June’s transformation from a victim of Gilead to a symbol of resistance. The final moments, where June dictates lines reminiscent of the novel’s opening, underscore her reclaiming her voice and identity.
The finale ties up several loose ends while leaving others open, setting the stage for The Testaments. June’s journey is central, but other characters also receive significant moments. Janine Lindo (Madeline Brewer), a fan-favorite handmaid, finds a hopeful resolution. After years of suffering, she is reunited with her daughter Angela, a moment that many fans felt was a well-earned victory for her character. Brewer, who has portrayed Janine since she was 24, reflected on the role’s impact, telling PEOPLE, “It’s quite a bit of time spent together, a lot of growing up.” Her arc provides one of the finale’s brighter spots, though some viewers noted it felt rushed.
Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) also see their stories evolve. Serena, once a key architect of Gilead, continues her complex journey toward redemption, while Aunt Lydia’s role hints at her pivotal place in The Testaments. Co-showrunners Yahlin Chang and Eric Tuchman emphasized that they avoided framing these characters’ arcs as simple redemption stories, instead focusing on their growth and moral ambiguity. “We never talked in terms of what is their redemption arc,” Chang told the Los Angeles Times, underscoring the nuanced approach to their development.
A surprising cameo from Alexis Bledel as Emily, who left the series after season four, added emotional depth. Bledel explained to The Hollywood Reporter that returning for the finale “felt right to bring closure to her journey,” offering fans a brief but meaningful reconnection with her character. However, one major storyline left unresolved was June’s reunion with her daughter Hannah, a central motivator for her character throughout the series. While Miller and Moss acknowledged the “heartbreaking” decision to omit this reunion, they argued it aligns with the story’s focus on June’s time as a handmaid and sets up future developments in The Testaments.
The finale has elicited a range of reactions from fans, with many taking to social media to share their thoughts. Some praised the episode’s introspective tone and its focus on June’s empowerment. Others, however, felt it fell short of expectations, particularly after the high-stakes penultimate episode. Posts on X highlighted disappointment over the lack of a Hannah reunion and a perceived rushed pacing. One user wrote, “It felt like episodes 8 & 9 were finales. This was a huge underwhelming ending to an incredible series.” Another noted, “Loved the ending but it didn’t feel like a finale as much as the penultimate episode did.” These sentiments reflect a divide between those who appreciated the reflective closure and those who craved a more dramatic conclusion.
Critics have also weighed in, with outlets like Vulture noting the finale’s strength in its simplicity. “This week’s episode is the first of the series to be set entirely in America—a context that permits June the space to breathe and consider,” wrote Vulture, praising the episode’s pacing and emotional resonance. However, ABC News pointed out that the finale struggled to recapture the cultural impact of earlier seasons, which had resonated strongly during the #MeToo movement and the Trump era. The series’ early seasons were lauded for capturing societal fears, but some argue it lost momentum in later years, culminating in a “middling” finale.
A significant aspect of the finale is its role as a bridge to The Testaments, Hulu’s upcoming sequel series based on Atwood’s 2019 novel. Set 15 years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, the spinoff will follow Aunt Lydia, Agnes, and Daisy as they navigate a changing Gilead. Elisabeth Moss will executive produce, and there’s hope she may reprise her role as June, though details remain scarce. The finale’s open-ended nature, particularly regarding Hannah’s fate and Gilead’s future, intentionally leaves room for this continuation. Miller told Variety that he’s been planning this ending since the show’s inception, ensuring it aligns with the sequel’s narrative.
The transition to The Testaments has sparked curiosity about how the franchise will evolve. With Gilead’s Commanders decimated and the nation in turmoil, the finale suggests a potential shift in power dynamics. However, as ScreenRant noted, the series has emphasized that Gilead’s system persists beyond individual villains, posing a larger challenge for June and her allies. This theme of systemic resistance is likely to carry over into the spinoff, keeping fans invested in the world Atwood created.
Since its premiere, The Handmaid’s Tale has been more than just a TV show—it’s been a cultural touchstone. Its imagery, like the red handmaid robes, became symbols of resistance during real-world protests, particularly around women’s rights. The series’ relevance grew during the Trump administration and the #MeToo movement, with its depiction of a dystopian society feeling eerily plausible. As social scientist Lauren Rosewarne told ABC News, the first season “was able to harness what women were feeling and fearing,” cementing its place in pop culture.
Despite declining viewership and mixed reviews in later seasons, the show’s impact endures. Its Emmy wins and critical acclaim in early years set a high bar, and while some feel the finale didn’t fully deliver, others argue it stayed true to the story’s roots. Moss, who also directed several episodes this season, told Collider that the final shot was deeply emotional for her, marking the end of a transformative role. “It’s the one that made her emotional,” the outlet reported, capturing the weight of saying goodbye to June Osborne.
For those eager to catch the finale, The Handmaid’s Tale season six, episode 10, is streaming on Hulu, having dropped at midnight ET on May 27, 2025. In the UK, fans will need to wait until July 5 to watch on Channel 4 or Prime Video, as episodes are released weekly. For viewers looking to avoid spoilers, steering clear of social media may be wise, as discussions are already rampant.
As fans process the end of The Handmaid’s Tale, anticipation builds for The Testaments. With production underway and a talented cast, including Ann Dowd reprising her role as Aunt Lydia, the spinoff promises to expand the Gilead universe. Whether it will capture the same cultural lightning as its predecessor remains to be seen, but the finale has ensured that June’s story—and the fight against oppression—will continue to resonate.
In conclusion, the The Handmaid’s Tale finale offers a poignant, if divisive, end to a landmark series. While it may not have delivered every reunion or resolution fans hoped for, its focus on June’s empowerment and its setup for The Testaments keep the story alive. As viewers reflect on eight years of struggle and hope, one thing is clear: June Osborne’s voice will echo far beyond Gilead.
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