Penn Badgley plays Joe Goldberg, a serial killer who, over the course of the Netflix thriller series “You,” falls in love with several different women.
Although Joe Goldberg is a fictional character, he shares many similarities with some of the most heinous serial killers in human history.
And when he does, he does whatever it takes to make them happy, including getting rid of obstacles and people he considers to be a burden on their joy.
In the beginning of the book, it seems as though he is on their side; nevertheless, by the end of the book, he has become their deadliest enemy.
Joe Goldberg starts off the season with a strong desire to find love, but he never fails to wreck havoc in the lives of the people and women he develops feelings for.
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You (Netflix): Is There a Real-Life Inspiration for Joe Goldberg?
No, Joe Goldberg is not a fictional representation of a real-life serial killer.
He is a fictitious character that was created by Caroline Kepnes and first appeared in her novel “You,” which is the original work that inspired the creation of the program.1
The Inspiration Behind Joe Goldberg
Caroline Kepnes, the author of the novel “You,” never intended for Joe to be portrayed as a serial killer. She crafted the character as someone who feels like he has extremely bad luck and has a “holier than thou” attitude, which leads him to justify the murders he commits. Kepnes was inspired by romantic comedies, where she noticed a pattern of male protagonists constantly following the female lead, which in real life would be considered stalking.
She wanted to show how a seemingly good guy could have violent thoughts and use his facade to gaslight his victims, much like Joe does in the series. Kepnes also drew inspiration from other fictional serial killers and narcissists in literature, particularly Bret Easton Ellis’s ‘American Psycho.’ The book significantly impacted Kepnes because it allowed readers to view the entire plot from the perspective of the protagonist, Patrick Bateman.
The Facade of Joe Goldberg
One of the most striking aspects of Joe’s character is his ability to present himself as a kind and approachable person. This facade makes him more desirable to women and allows him to hide his dark thoughts. In the era of social media, it has become easier for stalkers to track their victims, and Kepnes wanted to highlight this through Joe’s character.
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The Dark Side of Joe Goldberg
Joe’s dark side is characterized by his tendency to stalk, manipulate, and kill the women he loves. He is a master at gaslighting his victims and making them question their sanity. Despite his crimes, Joe does not consider himself a monster but instead sees himself as a victim of circumstance. This highlights the danger of romanticizing dangerous behavior and individuals’ need to question their beliefs and motivations.
The Legacy of Joe Goldberg
Joe Goldberg has become one of the most infamous serial killers in recent memory, and his character has been widely discussed and analyzed. The show has been praised for portraying toxic relationships and the dangers of romanticizing abusive behavior. The character of Joe Goldberg has also sparked discussions about the role of social media in facilitating stalking and the need for individuals to be aware of the warning signs of abuse.
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You (Netflix): What Type Of Serial Killer Is Joe Goldberg?
Joseph is responsible for murders that take place in a variety of different cultures.
The fact that he is so determined to keep his killings a secret and is so adept at portraying himself as a typical member of society are both telltale signs that he is a serial killer.
After killing Beck’s buddies in the first season of You, he is shown cleaning up the crime scene in the aftermath of the murders.
Joe commits murder on purpose, and while he is keeping tabs on his victims, he concocts a method for carrying out his killings. At first glance, he seems to be a perfectly regular guy, despite the fact that he is charming and abducts people.
Joe is not always the most organized guy; for example, he does not always plan out in advance all of the actions that are required to cover up the murders he has committed.
In addition, he keeps evidence from his victims as “trophies” in case the state ever catches up with him and puts an end to his criminal career. Do you remember when he went to see Peach and left a jug with his urine on the doorstep of her house?
Joe Goldberg’s Personality Revealed: An In-Depth Analysis
Joe Goldberg, the lead character in the popular psychological thriller “You,” has been the subject of much discussion and debate among fans and critics alike. He is known for his compulsive behavior and malicious affection for innocent women.2
Understanding Joe’s Obsessive Behavior
Joe’s obsessive behavior is one of the most striking aspects of his personality. He is filled with the desire to date these women and be loved by them, and his selfishness leads him to cause harm to others and even take their lives to achieve his goals. This extreme selfishness is evident in how he treats Beck and his willingness to lock people in his infamous glass cage to get what he wants.
Joe’s Fear of Apprehension
Despite his criminal activities, Joe is shown to have a crippling anxiety about being apprehended. He will go to great lengths to avoid getting caught, including leaving the United States and starting a new life in Mexico. This fear of being caught is not just a manifestation of his guilt but also stems from a deep-seated need to control his image and maintain a façade of normalcy.
Joe’s Boundaries and Restrictions
Despite his willingness to cause harm to others, Joe is shown to have certain boundaries and restrictions that he makes an effort not to cross. For example, he is reluctant to cause harm to children or their parents, and he tries to avoid killing Delilah, Ellie’s guardian and older sister, to keep himself out of prison. He also makes an effort not to cause harm to those whom he regards as being good or moral, which is why he chose not to frame Matthew Engler for the murder of his wife.
Joe’s Duality
One of the most intriguing aspects of Joe’s personality is his duality. On the one hand, he is a dangerous and manipulative individual who will do anything to get what he wants. On the other hand, he has a soft spot for those he regards as good or moral and is willing to go to great lengths to protect them. This duality creates a complex and multifaceted character that is frightening and fascinating.
Joe’s Impact on Society
Joe’s actions and behavior have significant implications for society. He serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the lengths people will go to get what they want. At the same time, he raises important questions about the role of societal norms and cultural expectations in shaping our behaviors and attitudes toward others.
Joe Goldberg Comparison With Ted Bunty Explored!
- A significant portion of these parallels arise from the fact that Goldberg and Bundy are both charismatic, gorgeous, and charming on the surface, but perverted, obsessive, and hollow on the inside.3
- Not only that, but there is a remarkable similarity between Joe, who is played by Penn Badgley, and Ted Bundy, who was a serial killer.
- Both the real-life Bundy and the fictitious Goldberg attract women who end up falling in love with them by their portrayal of themselves as alpha males who are out to prove their masculine worth.
- Women find these two men to be appealing because they have a physical attraction that is reflected with the personality that is on the surface. The enticement may seem unusual, but women do find them to be attractive.
- Kepnes stated that Goldberg was not modeled on Bundy because it would be twisted and reminded people that Goldberg was a fictional character whereas Bundy was a real person who killed real people who had real families and real consequences for their actions.
- Unsettlingly, a member of the Reddit community brought to attention a scene in the show You in which Goldberg is referred to as “Bunny” by Candace, Joe’s ex-girlfriend, who later has a terrifying encounter with Joe in Season 2.
- Even Bundy’s wife, Carol Boone, who was married to him at the time, referred to him as “Bunny.”
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