In the psychological thriller You, Joe Goldberg navigates a toxic obsession that drives him to eliminate anyone he believes threatens his relationship with Love. The series pushes viewers to ask who Joe actually kills and why each death fuels his warped sense of destiny.
Below is a detailed breakdown of key characters Joe removes from the story, organized for quick scanning and clarity.
| Victim | Relationship to Joe | Season and Episode of Death | Primary Motivation for Killing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benji Ashby | Neighbor and initial romantic interest | Season 1, Episode 3 | Eliminate a rival and frame Beck’s disappearance |
| Beck Oliver | Love interest who becomes suspicious | Season 1, Episode 10 | Prevent her from exposing his lies and controlling behavior |
| Eve Polastri | Determined detective investigating the case | Season 2, Episode 9 | Remove the person closing in on his identity and marriage |
| Candace Stone | Beck’s former friend turned ally to Eve | Season 2, Episode 10 | Stop her from helping Eve discover the truth |
| Rhys Darling | Joe’s former cult leader in the countrysideSeason 3, Episode 1 | Escape manipulation and secure his new life with Love |
Joe Kills Benji to Seize Control
Joe targets Benji Ashby early in Season 1 to eliminate competition for Beck’s attention. By murdering Benji and staging the scene, Joe shifts suspicion away from himself and deepens his hold over Beck through manufactured intimacy.
Eliminating Beck to Preserve His Fantasy
The Turning Point in Season 1
When Beck begins investigating Joe’s inconsistencies, he kills her to protect his carefully constructed identity. This act marks Joe’s full descent into delusion, as he believes removing her will keep their relationship eternal.
Consequences of Beck’s Death
Beck’s death sparks a detective investigation led by Eve Polastri, forcing Joe to manipulate everyone around him. Each lie compounds his guilt and drives him toward more extreme measures to avoid capture.
Joe Kills Eve to Hide His True Identity
Obsession with the Detective
In Season 2, Joe moves to London and becomes fixated on Eve, crossing boundaries until he ultimately kills her. He frames her death as an accident to maintain his freedom and continue his pursuit of a new romantic ideal.
Impact on Candace and the Investigation
With Eve dead, Candace becomes the last person connecting the past to the present. Joe kills Candace to silence the final link to his crimes, showcasing how his pattern of elimination escalates as threats grow closer to the truth.
The Final Target: Rhys and Escaping the Past
Confronting the Cult Leader
In Season 3, Joe’s target becomes Rhys Darling, the manipulative leader of a rural commune. Killing Rhys allows Joe to break free from psychological control and symbolically end the cycle of abuse he once endured.
A New Attempt at Redemption
After leaving the commune, Joe believes that removing Rhys and burying his old life makes him worthy of a healthy relationship with Love. This act highlights his ongoing struggle between destructive impulses and the desire for genuine connection.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
- Joe’s victims reflect his escalating need to control every threat to his perceived perfect life.
- Each killing deepens his isolation and pushes the narrative toward moral consequences.
- Understanding these deaths reveals the psychological spiral behind Joe’s charming exterior.
- Viewers are encouraged to analyze how manipulation, rather than love, defines Joe’s relationships.
- Recognizing these patterns helps identify similar red flags in real-life relationships and media portrayals.
FAQ
Reader questions
Which character does Joe kill first in You?
Joe kills Benji Ashby first in Season 1 to remove a rival for Beck’s affection and create an opportunity to insert himself into her life.
Why does Joe kill Beck in the series?
Joe kills Beck when she uncovers too much about his past, forcing him to eliminate her to preserve his fantasy of a perfect relationship and avoid exposure.
Who does Joe kill in Season 2 and why?
In Season 2, Joe kills detective Eve Polastri and her friend Candace Stone to stop their investigation and hide his identity as a serial killer.
Does Joe kill Rhys Darling, and what does it mean?
Yes, Joe kills Rhys Darling in Season 3 to break free from cult manipulation and symbolically escape the cycle of abuse that shaped his violent behavior.