Is Penn Badgley’s Joe Goldberg a Serial Killer? Here’s How Many People He’s Killed

I’ve been hooked on ‘You’ ever since it dropped on Netflix, and let’s be real—Penn Badgley’s Joe Goldberg is the twisted heart of it all. This show grabs you with its dark, thrilling vibe and doesn’t let go. In this article, I’m diving into whether Joe’s really a serial killer or just a guy caught in his own warped version of love. It’s a question that keeps us glued to the screen, and I’m here to break it down.

Penn Badgley nails this role, making Joe both charming and terrifying in a way that’s hard to shake. The story pulls you into his messed-up world, where obsession and murder go hand in hand. We’ll look at his actions, his headspace, and how the show plays with our view of him to figure out what Joe’s deal really is. Let’s get into it and see what makes this character tick.

Joe Goldberg’s Body Count – The Evidence

Joe Goldberg, introduced in ‘You’ as a bookstore manager in New York, seems like a romantic at first. But his charm quickly unravels. Across the series, which began in 2018, Joe racks up a shocking number of kills. From Guinevere Beck’s ex-boyfriend Benji to Love Quinn’s brother Forty, he eliminates anyone who threatens his obsessive vision of love. By the end of season four, Joe’s estimated to have killed around 18 people, a number that screams serial killer.

His methods are brutal and calculated. Joe doesn’t hesitate to use knives, poison, or blunt objects to get rid of obstacles. In season one, he locks Beck in a glass cage, and later, he traps others like Marienne Bellamy in similar setups. These aren’t random acts—Joe plans his moves, often stalking his victims through social media or tailing them in real life before striking.

What makes Joe’s actions chilling is how he justifies them. He tells himself he’s protecting his loved ones or fixing their lives. This pattern of repeated, deliberate murders fits the FBI’s definition of a serial killer—someone who kills multiple people over time with a cooling-off period between crimes. Joe’s not just a guy who snaps; he’s a predator with a playbook.

The Mind of Joe Goldberg – Why He Kills

Joe’s headspace is where things get really dark. In ‘You,’ we hear his inner monologue, which Penn Badgley delivers with eerie calm. Joe sees himself as a hero, not a villain. When he stalks Guinevere Beck in season one or Love Quinn in season two, he believes he’s saving them from bad relationships or dangerous people. His obsession drives him to kill, but he frames it as love, not hate.

This mindset ties to a mental condition called erotomania, where someone believes another person is destined to be with them. Joe’s delusions make him think his victims need him, even when they don’t. For example, in season three, he fixates on Marienne, convincing himself she’s his soulmate, despite her clear fear of him. His paranoia pushes him to eliminate anyone he sees as a threat, like Love’s ex, Ryan Goodwin.

Penn Badgley has said playing Joe forced him to explore these twisted motivations. Joe’s not a cartoonish bad guy—he’s a complex character who thinks he’s doing good. That’s what makes him so scary. He’s not killing for fun like a movie slasher; he’s killing because he’s convinced it’s necessary, which makes his actions feel all too real.

Does ‘You’ Glorify Joe’s Crimes?

One big question about ‘You’ is whether it makes Joe’s crimes seem appealing. Penn Badgley has been vocal about this, often pushing back against fans who romanticize Joe. On social media, some viewers call Joe ‘hot’ or joke about wanting him to stalk them. Badgley’s called this out, saying the show aims to provoke thought, not glorify murder. He’s even criticized other Netflix shows, like ‘Dahmer,’ for making real killers seem attractive.

The show itself walks a tightrope. Joe’s charm, good looks, and witty narration draw us in, but the story doesn’t shy away from his horrors. We see the pain he causes—Beck’s fear, Love’s betrayal, Marienne’s trauma. The series, based on Caroline Kepnes’ novels, uses Joe’s perspective to make us question why we’re rooting for him. It’s a trap, showing how easily we can fall for a monster’s charisma.

By season five, Joe’s back in New York, facing his past. The final season promises to confront his actions head-on, maybe even giving him the justice some fans crave. But whether you see Joe as a tragic figure or a cold-blooded killer, one thing’s clear: Penn Badgley’s portrayal makes him unforgettable, forcing us to wrestle with what makes someone a serial killer. Joe’s not just a character—he’s a mirror reflecting our own fascination with darkness.