Love, Hate, And The In-Between
For a show about obsession, You certainly left viewers obsessing over its characters. Each face left its mark, and as the series ends, one truth remains: love and hate often share the same screen. Spoilers ahead!
Guinevere Beck – Loved
Season 1 introduced Beck, a woman trying to write her truth while unknowingly living inside Joe's lie. Beck was layered, struggling with self-worth and toxic intimacy while chasing literary validation. Her ending was an eye-opener that showed viewers the risks of quiet charisma.
Bronte – Hated
Bronte entered Season 5 with literary charm, drawing comparisons to Beck, but her resemblance belied a more strategic role. Rather than falling for Joe, she helped investigate him as part of a covert group. Though some found her arc thin, her involvement added depth to the tension.
Bronte’s Plan in You Season 5 EXPLAINED: Why She Lies to Joe Goldberg & How It All by Netflix Addict
Paco – Loved
A boy with too much to carry and nowhere safe to land, Paco was Season 1's reluctant soul. His books were escape hatches, his silence a shield. Joe's connection to him was twisted but real. Paco's return in Season 5 gave closure to one of the show's few survivors.
YOU season 1 episode 10 shown in less than 5 mins by Dana Gold Recaps
Reagan Lockwood – Hated
Season 5's Reagan felt more like a power suit than a person. Her ambition was relentless, but her character lacked depth. Viewers struggled to find layers beneath the arrogance. Without a backstory or real vulnerability, she felt mechanical and hardly earned emotional investment for her behavior.
Reagan Lockwood Edit YOU S5 by aefilms
Nadia Farran – Loved
Nadia entered Season 4 as a sharp, literature-loving student who quickly sensed Joe's cracks. She followed her instincts to risk everything to expose him. Her quiet bravery and refusal to be sidelined made her magnetic. Even in defeat, Nadia remained a fierce underdog who deserved every ounce of admiration.
YOU Season 4 Trailer (2022) by ONE Media
Love's Mom (Dottie Quinn) – Hated
Dottie's spiraling addiction fueled emotional meltdowns that blurred boundaries with both Love and Joe. What viewers first mistook for pain soon revealed itself as performative chaos. For the entirety of Season 3, she weaponized past trauma as an excuse, which exhausted fans with destructive patterns framed as maternal care.
Saffron Burrows' Conversation With Prince by Associated Press
Kate Lockwood – Loved
Kate entered Season 4 as a guarded art gallerist with sharp instincts and cool poise. Unlike others, she challenged Joe's charm with skepticism and control. Her most compelling moment, a raw confession about her family's legacy, gave fans rare access to her emotional depth and made her a favorite.
Kate Galvin Character Analysis | YOU Season 4 on Netflix by cinekizzle
Forty Quinn – Hated
A failed screenwriter with bursts of insight, Forty embodied a volatile mix of brilliance and self-absorption. His chaotic finale in season 2 brought high stakes but little sorrow. Viewers often found his dramatic flair exhausting, as his narcissism regularly smothered the moments where real pain peeked through.
Forty Quinn | hey old sport [humor] YOU S2 by dark stiles
Ellie Alves – Loved
Season 2's Ellie brought wit and tough realism to Joe's chaotic world. A teenage filmmaker with sharp instincts, she never played the victim. Her bond with Delilah made her arc hit harder. Fans admired her resilience and rooted for her long after her departure.
Ellie Alves I When did I become so numb? [YOU] by ETHEREUM - Vitalik Buterin LIVE
Ron – Hated
Do you remember Ron from Season 1, who turned Paco's home into a pressure cooker of fear? Viewers agreed with Joe's hatred for once and saw Ron not as complex or misunderstood but as plainly cruel. His end, while brutal, brought an uncharacteristically sharp moment of moral satisfaction.
YOU Full Series Recap | Season 1-5 Ending Explained by Recap & Chill
Lady Phoebe – Loved
Phoebe entered Season 4 as an eccentric socialite whose charm masked quiet insecurities. Her most touching moment came during a vulnerable talk with Kate about self-worth and being misunderstood. That glimpse of raw honesty made her unforgettable, proof she was substance-wrapped in sincerity.
Lady Phoebe scenepack | You s4 part 1 1080p by Teacy
Peach Salinger – Hated
Peach built a toxic dynamic with Beck by treating her more like a prized object than a friend. Her obsession simmered beneath every protective gesture. Introduced in Season 1, she became both saboteur and shadow; masked in privilege, her jealousy marked her as one of the show's earliest villains.
Peach Salinger | promiscuous [ you ] by Snehanova
Marienne Bellamy – Loved
Marienne was a librarian and single mother facing recovery and injustice with resilience. What defined her most came in Season 4, when she stood up to Joe in a gripping confrontation. Her emotional clarity and maternal instinct made her deeply loved by fans all over.
Marienne Bellamy: The "YOU" That Missed The Mark by Spy Jay
Benji – Hated
Benji, Beck's smug boyfriend, was a trust-fund caricature dipped in cold brew and condescension. With a startup no one understood and a charm only he believed in, he was the definition of insufferable privilege. His entitlement and lack of self-awareness quickly made him intolerable.
YOU - Joe kills Benji S01E2 by 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒙
Sherry Conrad – Loved
You Season 3 couldn't be complete without Sherry, the curated queen with sharp instincts hidden beneath a biting tongue. Trapped with Cary in Love's glass cage, she used quick thinking and raw honesty to survive. That moment proved her resilience and revealed a depth of heart no one expected.
Why Cary and Sherry Are the Best Neighbors | YOU Season 3 | Netflix by Netflix Philippines
Henderson – Hated
Henderson played the part of a charismatic celebrity, but behind the charm was a predatory secret. His manipulation of young women, hidden by fame and influence, made him one of the show's most despicable figures. Viewers saw through the facade and rooted for his downfall.
YOU Full Series Recap | Season 1-5 Ending Explained by Recap & Chill
Henry Goldberg – Loved
Love's and Joe’s son, Henry, entered the story in Season 3 as a symbol of hope amid escalating darkness. Following Love’s death, Joe abandoned him in Madre Linda. By Season 5, Henry’s return, now under Kate’s care, moves fans, who admire his quiet resilience and enduring innocence.
Joe Goldberg Being A Daddy | YOU | Netflix by Still Watching Netflix
Ryan Goodwin – Hated
A public hero but a private menace, Ryan represented everything Joe pretended to hate. As Marienne's ex, he used custody as control by wielding influence to silence her. Smug and manipulative, he epitomized systemic abuse and made viewers cheer when he lost.
You: Season 3 Recap | Ending Explained by bridge4
Delilah Alves – Loved
Delilah brought fierce energy and emotional depth to You Season 2 by becoming a grounding force in Joe's chaotic world. Her most moving moment, a tender conversation with Ellie about their future, showcased her warmth and resolve. That raw humanity made her unforgettable and rendered her exit especially heartbreaking.
Delilah Alves & Joe Goldberg - Hate Me (Sometimes) (Stand Atlantic) - YOU Season 2 by Best Romances
Gabe – Hated
If there was ever a guru who needed guidance himself, it was Gabe. His New Age mantras masked overconfidence, while his advice often crossed emotional lines. Viewers struggled with his eccentricity and lack of tact, which ultimately made him difficult to trust, even as he counseled others with “enlightenment”.
You - 2x6 Farewell, My Bunny - Group Reaction by The Normies
Will Bettelheim (The Real One) – Loved
Brief but memorable, the real Will Bettelheim in Season 2 offered viewers something rare: kindness. A code-savvy introvert caught in Joe's twisted plans, he responded with empathy instead of revenge. His calm, forgiving nature made him oddly beloved, and in Season 5, he returned to help Joe escape.
YOU Season 2 l Will Bettelheim Edit l by Carrylanche
Milo – Hated
Love's ex, Milo Warrington, brought smug charm and gym-rat swagger without depth. Viewers disliked his entitled attitude, manipulative attempts to win Love back, and lack of nuance. He was unnecessary and instantly forgettable in the show's tense narrative.
YOU - Milo punches Forty and Joe stops the fight S02E07 by 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒙
Karen Minty – Loved
If anyone ever called Joe out without theatrics, it was Karen Minty. She was confident and refreshingly self-aware. Her candid breakup and refusal to play Joe's emotional games made her stand out because she was a brief but rare reminder of sanity amid chaos.
YOU Full Series Recap | Season 1-5 Ending Explained by Recap & Chill
Matthew Engler – Hated
Matthew Engler's icy stillness made even the warmest rooms feel cold in Season 3. His distant parenting and obsessive digital surveillance cast a long, unsettling shadow. Not outright villainous, his blank stares and emotional inertia invited a slow-burning kind of hate from viewers.
YOU Full Series Recap | Season 1-5 Ending Explained by Recap & Chill
Officer Fincher – Loved
What happens when the only man with a badge is the only one asking the right questions? Officer David Fincher brought grounded cynicism to Season 2, quietly investigating Henderson while suspecting something was off about Joe. His steady loyalty to Delilah gave him heart, while his instincts gave him fans.
YOU Full Series Recap | Season 1-5 Ending Explained by Recap & Chill
Theo Engler – Hated
Reckless and naive, Theo wandered into Season 3 like trouble on autopilot. His obsession with Love was creepy, his advances persistent. Easily manipulated and dangerously impulsive, he ignored every warning sign. Viewers cringed while watching his entitlement pass for the passion and chaos that followed wherever he showed up.
Theo Engler Fancam | YOU | Netflix by Netflix Philippines
Cary Conrad – Loved
Cary's bromance with Joe added layers to a man who could've been a walking gym meme. His self-optimization obsession provided endless laughs, but his growth inside that glass cage and the strength of his marriage to Sherry made him truly unforgettable.
Why Cary and Sherry Are the Best Neighbors | YOU Season 3 | Netflix by Netflix Philippines
Tom Lockwood – Hated
Unapologetically cold, Tom Lockwood orchestrated lives from behind the curtain. As Kate's father, his manipulations were far-reaching and stripped of empathy. Viewers saw his ruthless power and wealth shield him from consequences by crafting a villain defined not by chaos but by calculated corporate control.
Meeting Kate’s Dad | YOU | Netflix Philippines by Netflix Philippines
Edward – Loved
Edward's quiet perception stood out in a group loud with privilege and chaos. Edward read the room with ease. Joe's charm didn't fool him, and his steady loyalty to Nadia deepened his quiet appeal. Calm and insightful, his presence added rare clarity by earning him a spot among the few you wanted to survive.
YOU Full Series Recap | Season 1-5 Ending Explained by Recap & Chill
Gemma Graham-Greene – Hated
Gemma burst into Season 4 like a spoiled hurricane. Arrogant and unapologetically offensive, she grated on every nerve. Her privileged ignorance crossed the line from irritating to outright dangerous. Viewers saw through her shallow charm and relished when the narrative finally turned against her.
YOU Season 4 Trailer (2022) by ONE Media
Professor Malcolm – Loved
Brash but brilliant, Professor Malcolm lit up early Season 4 with charisma and chaos. A literature professor with a sharp wit and no filter, he felt like a satirical nod to the academic ego. Though short-lived, his humor and arrogance made him strangely likable.
You (Season 5): 10 Things to Remember Before the Premiere by MsMojo
Simon Soo – Hated
In Season 4, Simon posed as a socially conscious artist, but his facade masked theft and entitlement. Exploiting the work of others while hiding behind moral posturing, he quickly repulsed viewers. His hypocrisy and smug privilege earned him near-instant disdain.
YOU | Season 4 Date Announcement | Netflix by Netflix
Maddie Lockwood – Loved
Fans were drawn to Maddie (Raegan's cunning yet magnetic twin sister) for her unpredictability in Season 5. Her arc twisted from a lighthearted socialite to a manipulative power player. Maddie's shifting loyalties and quiet schemes drove the season's tension and positioned her as an unexpectedly pivotal character.
Burn in hell 🔥😈 - You Season 5 - Maddie Lockwood Edit - Missing Textures (Slowed Down) by Grmz
Blue – Hated
Initially praised for her poise, Simon Soo’s assistant soon drew backlash after scheming to sabotage him. Her behind-the-scenes manipulation clashed with the season’s tone, and her dry sarcasm grated rather than amused. Fans felt her presence only amplified the turmoil in Season 4’s plot.
Abigail Hardingham Interview - Nina Forever & The Crow by Red Carpet News TV
Teddy – Loved
Introduced in Season 5, Teddy, Kate's half-brother, offered a poignant contrast to the season's chaos. His bond with Joe revealed rare glimpses of tenderness in a man unraveling. Fans responded to Teddy's vulnerability and innocence by seeing him as a subtle but meaningful anchor in the storm
Teddy Pulls a Knife on Joe Goldberg | YOU Season 5 Episode 7 Scene by The TV & Movie Podcast
Dawn – Hated
Although her screen time was brief, Dawn left an impression as one of the show's creepiest additions. Viewers recoiled at her chaotic energy and desperation. Rooted in delusion, her fixation on Joe crossed every line and left her presence feeling more unsettling than sympathetic.
Jonathan (Joe) Framed Dawn In murder case Scene | You Season 4 | Part 2 | by NETFLICK
Blythe – Loved
Smart and often bitingly funny, Blythe emerged in Season 2 as a standout presence. Her unapologetic feminism and no-nonsense attitude cut through the tension in Joe’s world. Fans connected with her refreshing realism, especially through her surprisingly wholesome romance with the lovable Ethan.
If YOU Was a Rom-Com | YOU | Netflix by Netflix
Mr. Mooney – Hated
Joe's cold and abusive bookstore mentor, Mr. Mooney, left a lasting impression—not in a good way. His rigid discipline and cruel "tough love" shaped Joe's worldview in damaging ways. Flashbacks painted him not as a wise elder but as a bitter man who groomed Joe into a monster.
YOU - Joe and Beck visit Mr. Mooney S01E9 by 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒙
Ethan Russell – Loved
Ethan Russell stands out as one of the most genuinely kind-hearted characters in You. Loyal and supportive, he brings steady warmth to an otherwise chaotic series. His easy humor offers welcome relief, while his wholesome romance with Blythe and rare happy ending makes him especially memorable.
If YOU Was a Rom-Com | YOU | Netflix by Netflix
Harrison Jacobs – Hated
Emotionally distant and unapologetically ambitious, Harrison Jacobs drew fan fury in Season 5. While still married to Raegan, he carried on an affair with her sister, Maddie. After Reagan’s downfall, he aligned fully with Maddie to confirm his cold opportunism and cement his image as wholly disloyal.
YOU Season 5 | Inside Episode 2: Blood Will Have Blood | Netflix by Still Watching Netflix
Dr. Nicky – Loved
Joe's Season 1 therapist, Dr. Nicky, may have been flawed, but he became a fan favorite for his sincerity. Despite being wrongly imprisoned for Beck's murder, he handled his downfall with humility. His reappearance in Season 2 added unexpected depth to a character viewers had underestimated.
YOU - Season 2 - Dr. Nicky (John Stamos returns) - Netflix by YOU Netflix
Dexter (Cary's Friend) – Hated
Dexter, a minor player from Cary's fitness-obsessed circle, left a sour impression with his smug elitism. He embodied the worst of bro culture—judgmental and emotionally hollow. Even in brief moments, his toxic energy felt amplified by making him one of the show's least-missed side characters.
Why Cary and Sherry Are the Best Neighbors | YOU Season 3 | Netflix by Netflix Philippines
Vic (Lady Phoebe's Butler) – Loved
Stoic and quietly intimidating, Vic earned respect as Lady Phoebe's fiercely loyal bodyguard. His sharp instincts cut through the noise of the elite crowd and made him feel grounded. Though he operated mainly in the background, fans found his protectiveness refreshing and essential.
Lady Phoebe scenepack | You s4 part 1 1080p by Teacy
Joe Goldberg – Hated
Finally, Joe. Though the series centers on him, Joe Goldberg remains one of its most hated characters. His internal justifications for stalking, manipulation, and murder only deepen the horror of his choices. Fans may be drawn into his arc, but they saw through his self-delusions, and many kept rooting for his downfall.
Joe Goldberg - Stalker Extraordinaire | You by Warner Bros. TV
