*Warning: Spoilers ahead*
ICYMI: The first part of You season 4 is now streaming on Netflix. Over the past three installments, Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) has gotten away with murder (literally) only to start fresh in a variety of new places—this time, it’s London. After watching the first episode, we’re pleased to report that You season 4 offers a glimmer of hope for what was running the risk of becoming a redundant story line.
Keep reading for an honest review of You season 4.
The first episode seems like a continuation of season 3. But it doesn’t take long to realize that You season 4 is far more complex than past seasons.
For example, the new season switches between two different time periods. Most of the story is told in present-day, where Joe has established himself as a professor named Jonathan Moore. But it also features flashbacks to shortly after the events in season 3, where he faked his death. The memories center around him traveling through France to track down Marienne (Tati Gabrielle). And when he does, she immediately runs away and disappears into the crowd. (This is when he becomes Professor Moore.)
Also, Joe experiences a Flight Attendant-esque situation in London when he wakes up to a dead body on his countertop. (We’ll let you watch episode 1 to find out who.) Joe’s biggest concern is his neighbor, who can see into his flat…and vice versa.
To top it off, the tables are being turned on Joe. When he receives an anonymous text message, he soon realizes that he’s met his match. Joe is being watched—and his stalker knows everything about his past. Dun dun dunnnn.
The new episodes also introduce a few new characters who threaten to disrupt Joe’s fresh start—like Kate (played by Charlotte Ritchie). And since Marienne knows that Joe is still alive, the stakes are higher than ever because he can’t afford to make any more mistakes. And on another positive note, Badgley’s performance doesn’t disappoint. (Haunting voiceovers included.)
With only five episodes currently available to stream, it’s hard to say if You season 4 will truly be a departure from the repetitive story lines of seasons past. But based on the first episode, it seems Netflix is straying away from the “Joe the captor” angle that dominated the first three seasons, so there’s hope—and we’ll absolutely be watching to find out.
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