You is a psychological thriller that flips the romantic comedy on its head. The series follows Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley), a bookstore manager who meets a woman, becomes obsessed, and uses technology and violence to insert himself into her life. The show's twist is that Joe is the narrator and protagonist, and we are inside his head, which is both charming and terrifying.
Penn Badgley delivers a performance that is the key to the show's success. He makes Joe charming, intelligent, and genuinely in love — while also being a stalker, kidnapper, and murderer. The audience is asked to sympathize with a monster, and Badgley's performance makes this uncomfortable identification possible. His voiceover narration is both confessional and manipulative.
The series uses the conventions of romantic comedy to tell a horror story. The meet-cute, the grand gesture, the "I would do anything for you" promise are all present but rendered terrifying by Joe's willingness to take them literally. The show critiques the toxic elements of romantic culture while indulging in its pleasures.
Each season places Joe in a new setting with a new obsession. Season 1 is New York and Guinevere Beck. Season 2 is Los Angeles and Love Quinn. Season 3 is suburbia and family life. Season 4 is London and high society. The formula remains consistent, but the settings and supporting characters keep the series fresh.
You is essential for fans of psychological thrillers. It's a show about the darkness of romantic obsession and the stories we tell ourselves to justify the worst things we do.