Netflix’s “You” Is Romanticizing Murder and Stalking

Since its release back in 2018, the Netflix original series “You” has become extremely popular, but with its popularity and its casting, the series seems to have put the main character, Joe and his acts of stalking and murder on a pedestal, coupled with the fact that Penn Badgely, the actor who plays Joe, is seen as attractive by some fans.

In fact, since its release on the streaming service, the show has created some controversy over the message it could be sending to viewers. In an article from Newsweek, it is claimed that on the “You” Reddit forum, viewers have dedicated their time to slamming Joe’s victims, particularly Beck who was Joe’s first victim in season 1. The article claims that the “majority of the criticism centers on Beck being ‘basic’ or ‘unlikeable’--or just not good enough for ‘anti-hero’ Joe–and therefore somehow deserving to end up in a body bag.”

Fans of the show have idolized the character of Joe so much that there have even been disturbing quotes from Joe circulating all over TikTok, along with edits of Joe and other characters he’s targeted on YouTube that put these violent crimes in a misdirected spotlight.

Independent claims that the romanticization of Joe and his crimes has even made Badgley so uncomfortable that he’s tried to intervene a few times, often replying to thirst tweets to remind viewers that Joe isn’t a handsome hero, he’s a dangerous killer; in an interview with Netflix back in 2021, Badgley said “Joe is one of the worst people ever. Don't aspire to be like him, don't defend him. Ever. Don't ever defend him. He doesn't need it.” The article even points out that because the show is told from Joe’s point of view, he elicits sympathy from the audience. The fact that Badgley is considered attractive has even made his character’s actions justified by some viewers.

It doesn’t help that the show’s synopsis describes Joe as a “dangerously charming, intensely obsessive young man who goes to extreme measures to insert himself into the lives of those he is transfixed by.” This description can give impressionable viewers the idea that this is what romance is and that they should strive to have someone who will go to extreme lengths, such as stalking, just to be with them. 

The show and the romanticization of Badgley’s character has also had a negative and traumatic impact on former stalking victims because of how much the character’s actions are excused and justified. 

Shows like these that continue to cast attractive actors to play characters who commit terrible crimes that get justified because of the character’s “attractiveness” have harmful effects on real life people who have gone through similar experiences. If anything, all the blame is put on the victim and not the attacker, and messages like this make younger viewers think stuff like this is okay and that they won’t be held accountable, not to mention that it highlights toxic and abusive relationships as well.