By: Ayesha Nayak
You is an American psychological thriller Netflix series which premiered in the year 2018. So far, two seasons have been released, and the highly anticipated third season is coming out this October. The first and second seasons’ plots revolve around the seemingly normal life of the main character, a man named Joe Goldberg, who becomes easily infatuated and develops intense obsessions with women who catch his eye. Throughout each season, he would stalk the women, and become so involved with their lives that he often ends up getting caught in a situation which compels him to commit unethical and illegal acts in the name of love. Despite continuously stalking, occasionally kidnapping and holding people captive, and several times even murdering others, Joe genuinely thinks he is a good guy. Let us break down his character and actions to view the psychological perspective of Joe Goldberg.
Naturally, one would be charmed by Joe Goldberg. He is attractive according to society’s standards of beauty, his monologues in the show consist of great humor which makes him a likeable and relatable character, and the way he treats children shows us that he’s rather polite, caring, and respectful (obviously not enough to respect peoples’ privacy). His use of enhanced vocabulary and choice of words exhibits how intelligent and educated he is. If Goldberg was not as good-looking, hilarious, sweet, or smart as he is portrayed in the show, with a different financial status, his character would not be well liked by fans, or even the side characters who trust him. For example, when the word “psychopath” or “stalker” comes to mind, one would highly likely picture a person with an unlikeable, strange personality who is scruffy, unkept, uneducated, and neither polite nor visually appealing. However, it is so much more than that. Antisocial personality disorder, or psychopathy, is a mental disorder that Joe Goldberg quite evidently struggles with.
Because Joe is a charming character, most people watching the show find themselves rooting for him, even when he is facing the well deserved consequences of his own actions. This is an accurate example of how psychopaths gaslight others. You is narrated by Joe Goldberg’s ongoing monologues; these solo dialogues are what manipulate streamers into supporting him, and antagonising the characters who attempt sabotaging the stalker’s devious plans. Psychopaths tend to be charming at an initial impression; this is why no one ever suspects Joe in either season, and both fans and characters believe that Joe is a likeable person while the people who are against his horrible deeds are viewed as the antagonists. Impulsive decision-making, antisocial behavior, and/or little to no guilt and empathy are just a few other traits aside from superficial harm found in psychopaths, which can clearly be seen in Joe. Most of the man’s crimes were committed out of pure impulse and he does not formulate entire plans to murder or kidnap people; instead, rage and panic are what drive him to do the things he does in the moment. As for antisocial behavior, Joe does not have any friends, nor does he make any effort to befriend others, aside from children who he feels obligated to care for. Although he has done so much wrong, Goldberg still thinks he is a perfect individual, and lacks guilt to take accountability for his actions or even feel empathy towards the people who he has violated.
Overall, the writers and directors of “You” have done a great job with depicting a psychopath. The series provides us with blatant symptoms from within the main character’s behaviour to warn us about any red flags we may notice in our own loved ones. It is significant to represent psychopaths, as it would teach us more about antisocial personality disorder, which anyone you know may be suffering from. It is essential to know how to help them, as well as protect yourself from the ASPD patients who can potentially hurt you.
References:
Klestzick, Rebecca. “The Complexity of The Psychopathic Mind.” The Complexity of the Psychopathic Mind | Danielle Rousseau, 1 Jan. 1967, sites.bu.edu/daniellerousseau/2018/12/18/the-complexity-of-the-psychopathic-mind/.
Leiden, Luke. “Pop Culture's Problematic Portrayal of Psychopathy.” The Owl, bhsowl.org/5097/arts-entertainment/pop-cultures-problematic-portrayal-of-psychopathy/.
Worrall, Daina. “Why Netflix's ‘You’ Is an Important Lesson in Psychology.” Thrive Global, 31 Jan. 2020, thriveglobal.com/stories/why-netflixs-you-is-an-important-lesson-in-psychology/.
“‘Why Does Everyone like Joe Goldberg?" – Strangership and Privilege in Netflix's You.” UBC English Students' Association, 2 Feb. 2020, www.ubcenglish.com/why-does-everyone-like-joe-goldberg-strangership-and-privilege-in-netflixs-you/.