You Season 4 explained — in two distinct parts — marks the most suspenseful and psychologically layered installment of the Netflix thriller to date. With its bold shift from romantic obsession to murder mystery, Season 4 throws Joe Goldberg into an entirely new game — and this time, he’s both the hunter and the hunted.
Joe Goldberg’s New Life in London
After faking his death at the end of Season 3, Joe Goldberg resurfaces in London under a new alias: Professor Jonathan Moore, a quiet academic teaching literature. He has renounced love, or so he claims, and tries to keep a low profile while tracking his abandoned son Henry from afar.
However, Joe quickly finds himself entangled with a group of elite socialites — influencers, authors, and heirs — through his friendship with Malcolm, a charismatic fellow professor.
Part 1: The Eat the Rich Killer Mystery
A Killer Emerges
When members of London’s upper class start turning up dead, Joe becomes the reluctant detective in a classic whodunit. Dubbed the “Eat the Rich Killer,” the murderer seems to target those in Joe’s new inner circle — and Joe begins receiving cryptic text messages from someone claiming to know his past.
Suspects and Secrets
Joe suspects nearly everyone: the narcissistic artist Simon, the manipulative socialite Gemma, the heir-turned-activist Adam, and others. Each character holds secrets, and their twisted personalities keep Joe — and viewers — guessing.
The first half ends with an unexpected twist: Joe is not just hunting the killer — the killer has been studying him.
Internal Link: Explore: You Season 5 Ends Joe Goldberg’s Story
Part 2: The Rhys Montrose Twist
Who Is Rhys Montrose?
Rhys Montrose, a successful author turned mayoral candidate, initially befriends Joe and sympathizes with his dislike of the elite. But in a mind-bending reveal, Rhys is not real — at least, not in the way we think.
Rhys is a manifestation of Joe’s dark inner self, the part of him that enjoys killing. In a shocking moment, it’s revealed that Joe himself is the Eat the Rich Killer, and Rhys is a psychological projection, similar to a dissociative break.
Joe’s Mental Collapse
Season 4 explores Joe’s fractured psyche in depth. Rhys, as a hallucination, reflects Joe’s denial and self-justification. His murders were committed during blackouts, which he conveniently blocked out — until his subconscious forces him to confront the truth.
From burning corpses to confessions of enjoyment, Joe finally admits he loves killing — a major turning point in the series.
Marienne and the Glass Box
One of the most intense arcs in You Season 4 explained involves Marienne Bellamy, Joe’s love interest from Season 3. Joe kidnaps her and imprisons her in his infamous glass cage, located in a hidden section of a London building.
Her Escape
With the help of a young artist named Nadia, Marienne fakes her death using Joe’s own drugs and escapes, unknown to Joe. This subplot becomes critical as it reaffirms that Joe cannot change, no matter how much he tries to rebrand himself.
Nadia’s Pursuit of Justice
Nadia, a brilliant student of Joe’s, uncovers the truth about his crimes. Despite her efforts to bring him to justice, Joe manipulates evidence, frames her for murder, and destroys all loose ends — proving once again that he always stays one step ahead.
Season 4 Ending: Joe Fully Embraces Himself
The finale closes with Joe returning to New York alongside Kate, his wealthy girlfriend who has accepted him despite knowing his violent past. He reclaims his original identity and gains power through Kate’s influence, now fully embracing the killer within.
Joe justifies it all by saying he’s finally free — not of guilt, but of denial.
