Before Joe Goldberg possibly returns to our screens, let’s revisit the gory mayhem of his European escapade in Season 4 of Netflix YOU.
Swapping Paris for London, Joe assumed the identity of Professor Jonathan Moore, hoping to leave his murderous past behind and embrace a quiet academic life. Of course, that didn’t last. Joe soon found himself entangled with a toxic circle of London socialites, thanks to his neighbour Kate Galvin and the charismatic author-turned-mayoral candidate Rhys Montrose. His plan to quietly observe from the sidelines quickly unravelled when members of this elite circle began dropping like flies — victims of the enigmatic “Eat the Rich” killer. Ominously, the murderer seemed to know Joe’s true identity and began tormenting him, framing him for the crimes.
A Different Joe
For the first half of the season, Joe became an amateur detective, frantically trying to uncover the killer while protecting Kate, with whom he shared a complicated relationship. He ultimately identified Rhys Montrose as the killer. But Part 2 revealed the season’s most shocking twist: Rhys — the killer and tormentor — was largely a creation of Joe’s fractured mind, a projection of his darkest urges that he had tried (and failed) to repress after faking his own death at the end of Season 3. Joe himself was the Eat the Rich killer, committing the brutal murders while in a dissociative state.
Read More: Is the America-China Tariff War Taking the Shine Off of Luxury?
The real Rhys Montrose was merely a public figure Joe had fixated on. When the truth surfaced, Joe spiralled, leading to a dramatic confrontation with his imaginary “Rhys” and a failed suicide attempt. He was saved — only to fully embrace his murderous nature.
In a ruthless move to tie up loose ends, Joe framed his sharp-witted student, Nadia, for his crimes, effectively silencing her after she uncovered the truth. The season ended with Joe back in New York City, now alongside the wealthy Kate Galvin, who had come to accept him — darkness and all. To the outside world, Joe presented a sanitised, sympathetic persona, cleared of all charges and seemingly more powerful, guiltless, and dangerous than ever.
Joe Goldberg is back in his element — fully integrated with his killer instincts — and the stage is set for more deadly drama to come. Only Season 5 will tell what will happen next.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates