Netflix’s Controversial 5-Part Thriller Is So Good, It Demands A Second Watch

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Thrilling shows are often very captivating, but they usually aren’t something you’d want to watch again. The big surprises are exciting the first time, but lose their impact on a second viewing. Add to that the fact that these shows can be quite unsettling, and it makes sense why many viewers prefer to watch them just once.

Considering that premise, Netflix’s You should be incredibly difficult to watch repeatedly, but surprisingly, it isn’t. The show, which debuted in 2018, centers around Joe Goldberg, a serial killer who develops intense romantic fixations on women. He stalks them, eliminates anyone he sees as an obstacle to a relationship, and ultimately resorts to murder when they don’t meet his expectations.

The unsettling nature of You stems from experiencing everything through Joe’s perspective – we hear his disturbing thoughts and become, in a way, involved in his actions. What’s even more concerning is that throughout the show’s five seasons, many viewers mistakenly saw Joe as a romantic lead, despite his deeply flawed and harmful behavior, which greatly bothered actor Penn Badgley.

Some viewers absolutely despise Joe Goldberg and eagerly want to see him finally face the consequences for his actions. Throughout the series, Joe consistently uses his attractiveness and advantages as a white, straight man to avoid being held accountable.

That’s actually what makes You so great to watch again. The show’s satisfying conclusion doesn’t just make Joe Goldberg’s twisted story worthwhile—it almost requires you to watch it a second time.

Knowing The Ending Of You Makes A Second Watch Even More Satisfying

Joe manages to avoid consequences for a long time in the Netflix series, but the ending—spoiler alert for You—doesn’t give him a happy outcome. Knowing how things turn out actually makes it easier to watch his terrible behavior in earlier episodes.

The latest season of You isn’t simply focused on punishing the villain; it’s about achieving justice for his victims, particularly the women he harmed. The stories of those he silenced – including those he killed and those who suffered for his actions – are revisited, and some are given new, more satisfying resolutions.

Since You was released over seven years, viewers who originally watched it on Netflix might not remember all the characters. But revisiting the show – especially by watching multiple episodes in a row – really makes you connect with and support the most likable ones.

Watching You again allows you to look at Joe’s relationships with fresh eyes. Knowing what we know now, it’s tempting to criticize the women who stayed with him, but the fifth season shows how he manipulated them with affection and exploited their good nature. Understanding his tactics makes it easier to sympathize with his partners and why they overlooked his flaws. Re-watching the series can also be a helpful reminder to pay attention to red flags in your own relationships.

Above all, ‘You’ serves as a warning and offers a disturbing look inside the thinking of a misogynist. Understanding how dark the show gets changes the way you watch it, making you see things you might have missed before. While Joe Goldberg can be captivating, the more you see of him, the less effective his carefully constructed facade becomes, and it’s strangely satisfying to watch him desperately try to maintain it.

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2026-06-16 04:51