Netflix's 'You', and the Problematic Response to Joe

Warning – spoilers ahead.

If you’ve been anywhere near Twitter lately, or social media in general, you’ve probably heard at least some discussion about Netflix’s latest binge-worthy series, You. The series focuses on Joe, an obsessed stalker played by Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley who becomes infatuated with Guinevere Beck – known just as Beck, played by Elizabeth Lail.

The interesting part of the reaction to the series is how audiences have been responding to the character of Joe. You is from his point of view, with his narration – many people have found themselves sympathising with him. Even rooting for him. And I have to admit, I found myself doing the same at first. Almost unconsciously. Why is this problematic? Well, besides the fact that Joe is a murderer and creeper, it is especially concerning when compared to the reactions towards Beck.

While watching You, I couldn’t help but feel anxious whenever it seemed Joe might get caught. I was annoyed, as he was, when Beck pushed him away, or when she was seen sleeping with a loser like Benji. I was tempted to sympathize with Joe’s anger and betrayal when he discovers that Beck is hooking up with various Tinder matches – which she had every right to do. In some ways, I was on his side. 

Many viewers have expressed similar feelings, with some going so far as to romanticize Joe. Penn Badgley himself has expressed discomfort with this on Twitter, reminding people of the fact that Joe is a murderous psychopath, and you’re not actually supposed to like him.

I think of this as the ‘Walter White’ syndrome. When watching Breaking Bad, most people wanted Walt to succeed, no matter how messed up his actions, while the hatred directed towards Skylar was immeasurable. She was seen as an obstacle, something that was getting in the way of Walter’s schemes and fun.

So why has a similar disdain been shown towards Beck? Well, because she was real. Beck wasn’t the girl Joe wanted her to be when he began stalking her. She wasn’t perfect, she wasn’t a princess waiting to be saved. The show reminds us again and again that Beck is complex; she wants to seem like a put-together, artsy, social person, but cannot hide the flaws within. 

Her father issues, her kinky side – such as the famous ‘ladel’ Benji keeps mentioning. He insists, as the show does, that she is more than the one-dimensional character Joe sees her as. She makes bad decisions, isn’t always a good person. But she is smart, capable, and creative. She’s multi-layered, has sexual agency, and is often difficult – which is not something that audiences are used to seeing in female characters. Apparently, the cliche of the girl immediately giving into the affections of the 'nice guy', and being seen as a bitch when she doesn't, is still expected even when the 'nice guy' keeps human teeth in his ceiling.

I personally applaud the writers of You for writing such a human character, as well as Penn Badgley for not pandering to the attention his character is getting, as well as reminding audiences not to forget what Joe is. And with that, I leave you with one final word from Penn Badgley himself, when answering a lovestruck question from a twitter fan that read: ‘what is it about Joe?’

‘A: He is a murderer.’