Joe Goldberg

Joseph Gabriel Goldberg is the fictional villain protagonist of the You series of novels by Caroline Kepnes, and the television series of the same name, where he is portrayed by American actor Penn Badgley. He is played by Gianni Ciardiello, Aidan Wallace and Jack Fisher as a youth, and as his inner self by Ed Speleers. Joe is a stalker and serial killer who goes to extreme lengths to insert himself into the lives of the women he is transfixed by.

In the first season, Joe is introduced as a bookstore manager in New York when he meets Guinevere Beck, an MFA student and aspiring writer, and soon develops an extreme, toxic and delusional obsession with her. After moving to Los Angeles in the second season to escape his sordid past, he meets avid chef and local heiress Love Quinn and quickly falls into his old habits of obsession and violence in order to avoid the fate of his past romantic endeavors. As his troubled marriage with Love falls apart in the third season, he abandons his life in the United States and moves to London where he begins tracking down the Eat-the-Rich killer, and falls into familiar patterns of infatuation upon meeting Kate Lockwood. Upon the conclusion of the fourth season, Joe returns to New York with Kate.

Joe Goldberg’s character arc throughout You explores the complexities of his psyche, delving into themes of obsession, justification of violence, and the consequences of his actions. As the series progresses, Joe continuously reinvents himself, adopting new identities to avoid the consequences of his crimes. His intelligence allows him to manipulate those around him, often convincing others—and himself—that his actions are justified in the name of love. However, his deeply ingrained narcissism and inability to form healthy relationships ultimately lead him into cycles of destruction.

Despite his repeated attempts to find genuine connection, Joe remains trapped in his own delusions. His relationship with Love Quinn initially appears to be his chance at a normal life, especially after the birth of their son, Henry. However, their shared capacity for violence and Love’s own possessive tendencies create an unstable environment, forcing Joe to resort to murder once again. In an effort to escape, he fakes his own death, frames Love for their crimes, and abandons Henry, leaving him in the care of a trusted family friend. This decision showcases Joe’s ability to rationalize his actions, convincing himself that he is acting in his son’s best interest while ultimately prioritizing his own survival.

Upon relocating to London, Joe attempts to distance himself from his past by adopting the persona of Jonathan Moore, a university professor. However, his pattern of obsession resurfaces when he becomes entangled with Kate Lockwood and her wealthy social circle. As he investigates the Eat-the-Rich killer, Joe is forced to confront a darker aspect of himself—one that he has long repressed. His inner monologue, previously serving as a tool for self-justification, begins to reveal cracks in his psyche, culminating in a psychological break where he envisions a separate version of himself, played by Ed Speleers. This internal conflict underscores the extent of his fractured identity and his inability to escape his own nature.

Joe’s journey throughout You highlights the blurred lines between hero and villain, as his self-perception is often at odds with reality. While he views himself as a romantic, misunderstood figure seeking true love, his actions reveal a pattern of control, violence, and destruction. Despite his intelligence and adaptability, Joe’s relentless pursuit of an idealized love story continues to be his downfall, ensuring that his cycle of obsession and murder remains unbroken.