Movies and TV shows fulfill very different niches, but the recent thriller seriesYoumight be better than the films within the genre. When it comes to atmospheric tension, crime, and psychological games, few TV shows are doing as much asYou.For five seasons, this Netflix series was the project to watch,appealing to fans of the genre and audiences who don’t typically seek out thrillers.
Thebest shows to watch afterYouseason 5all touch upon morally ambiguous, or downright evil, protagonists and lean into the aspects of thrillers that keep us on the edge of our seats. Based on the book series by Caroline Kepnes,Yousuccessfully subverts the tropes and pitfalls of the thriller genre, making the audience think critically about the way they consume this type of media.
Netflix raised the stakes in every season ofYou, introducing new characters and love interests to interact with the protagonist, Joe Goldberg. ThoughYoumade a splash while it was airing, it’s lost none of its potency, and anyone who hasn’t dived into the series should find out what makes watching Joe so gripping.
Netflix’s You Is A Better Thriller Than Most Movies In The Genre
Starring Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg,the notorious killer at the center of the story,Youquickly became one of the best thrillers to watch on Netflix. Though the series originally aired on Lifetime for season 1,Youmoved to Netflix after that, gaining traction and popularity as the seasons progressed. WhileYoudoes lean into campy and satirical territory, it’s an unforgettable thriller.
Though there’s no shortage of great thriller movies and TV shows on Netflix, there’s something aboutYouthat makes it one of the best additions to the genre in recent years. It follows Joe as he travels across the U.S. and later to England, systematically becoming obsessed with and terrorizing women. WhileYoufollows a formula to a certain extent, it shakes things up, keeping the audience intrigued.
Youis an interrogative character study, forcing the audience to question the excuses they make for the men in their lives.Every season of Netflix’sYousees Joe commit more unforgivable and shocking crimes, yet the series makes it impossible to look away, and he finds a way to wriggle out of every situation when the consequences of his actions begin to close in.
There’s An Obvious Reason Thriller Movies Pale In Comparison To You
When it comes to rich explorations of characters, it’s not uncommon for TV shows to surpass movies, as there’s more time for the writers to get to plot their development. One of the best, and most unsettling, parts ofYouis the fact that Joe is our villain and our protagonist. We’re witnessing his horrible actions through the lens of his own justifications and denial.
If the audience didn’t have such an intimate understanding of how Joe views both himself and his victims,Youwouldn’t be half as effective, and the story wouldn’t work long-term. However, because Joe creates such intense fantasies and has delusions about himself and the women he stalks, this makes each new obsession fresh and compelling, letting the viewer see themselves in Joe and his victims.
In movies, even if a thriller does unfold from the perspective of the antagonist, there isn’t as much time for the story to lean into the character development. Additionally, the plot of thrillers often revolves around catching the killer and bringing them to justice. By subverting this formula,Yougets to take bigger swings and make Joe into much more than a simple monster in the dark.
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You’s Greatest Strength Is Carried Over From Caroline Kepnes' Book
Joe’s ending inYouseason 5couldn’t have happened without the dedication to maintaining the second-person narration and outlook of the series. This is a key piece of Caroline Kepnes' book, as this perspective gives the reader a clear insight into how Joe views himself and the world around him. Instead of feeling detached from the action, the audience almost feels as if they’re the ones committing the crimes.
It’s a heavy conceit, and fortunately,Youuses its satirical elements and self-awareness to lighten some of the more intense moments that unfold onscreen. However, the show is dedicated to ensuring that the viewer understands that Joe isn’t someone to root for or see as romantic. He might see himself this way, but that’s part of the act and the larger, dangerous delusions of his character.
Badgely does a great job of finding this balance and showcasing just how far-removed from reality Joe is as the seasons progress, bringing the audience with him.Youwill go down in history as one of Netflix’s best thriller projects, and Badgley will always be remembered for how fully the actor committed to embodying such a complex and terrifying character.
