In this week's episode of CloserWeekly.com's Classic TV Podcast, we're diving into the thrilling world of You. Now, when I say "you," I don’t mean you, my dear listener, but rather the gripping debut novel by Caroline Kepnes. The story revolves around Joe Goldberg, a chilling sociopath, psychopath, and serial killer who also happens to manage a bookstore. Joe's life takes a dark turn when he becomes obsessed with Guinevere Beck, an aspiring writer whose life he manipulates without her even realizing it. This tale has also been adapted into a hit TV series starring Penn Badgley as Joe and Elizabeth Lail as Beck.
As we delve into the world of You, we’re not just discussing the show but also chatting with Caroline Kepnes herself. She gives us a behind-the-scenes look into the creation of this chilling tale and shares her thoughts on why serial killers, both real and fictional, have such a magnetic pull on audiences. It’s a fascinating exploration into the darker corners of human psychology and the allure of the macabre.
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Caroline Kepnes: The Woman Behind the Story
(Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Lifetime)
You first premiered on Lifetime, but as the network shifts its focus back to television movies, Season 2 will air on Netflix, where the first season is also available. In the second season, inspired by Caroline's novel Hidden Bodies, the setting moves from the bustling streets of New York to the sun-kissed avenues of Los Angeles. This change in locale adds a new layer of intrigue and complexity to the already gripping narrative.
Caroline Kepnes: The Heart of Darkness
Caroline reveals that part of the inspiration for Joe's character and the novel came from her personal struggles with her parents' illnesses. She explains, "It's always tricky to pinpoint how our imaginations work. While we were living in the world of social media, it wasn’t what it is today, but it was still a big deal. My dad would always say, ‘Don’t put me on Facebook.’ And when he passed away, and we were going through all of it—sitting in a hospital room with my mom in one wing and my dad in another—it made me reflect on how we interact with social media. You scroll through it, and everyone seems to be having their best day ever, even though you know they're not. It's fascinating how social media has changed our mental landscape. Joe is someone who uses social media not to socialize but to incriminate others and judge them. I think we all have moments where we feel a little like that, and Joe is a character who lives in that space full-time. He never wants to be equal with people; he wants to remain a bit detached."
Inside Joe Goldberg's Mind
