Penn Badgley has a message for everyone that is attracted to his character on the TV series You, as well as serial killers in general - and let's just say he's not impressed.
Season four of Netflix's hit show You debuted on the streaming platform earlier this week and we're glad to see our favorite serial killer with a conscience back on the scene. The latest installment of the psychological thriller sees Joe Goldberg leave his chaotic life in California and swap it for a fresh start across the pond in London.
But his bad habits seem to follow him wherever he goes, and the introduction of new characters, as well as old lovers, makes it difficult for Goldberg to follow through with his newfound intentions.
While there have been multiple hot talking points about this new season, one superficial thing has, yet again, cropped up - and yes, it involves fans thirsting after Goldberg despite him being a blood-thirsty killer.
Now, this has been an issue in the past and it got to the point where Penn Badgley, the actor that portrays the unhinged murderer, has addressed the issue.
Back in 2019, during an interview on The Today Show, the 36-year-old opened up about why he thinks people are so attracted to his character.
"The whole point is he's meant to garner a conflicted reaction," he said. "I don't see him as a portrayal of a real person, I see him as a representation of the part of us that identifies with him. The part of us that is a troll; that part of us that is victim blaming; the part of us that is privileged and blind. We're meant to identify with him.
"The whole point is that Joe is actually not a mastermind," he continued. "He's actually, in some ways, extremely average... It's this really interesting thing where you're seeing the trajectory of a soul, of a man and he's just completely obsessive and compulsive and believing that he's operating by the logic of a true romantic."
Despite him giving fans an insight into why it's not healthy to be lusting over a fictional serial killer, some people just couldn't help themselves after seeing Goldberg back on their screens again.
"Joe Goldberg has to stop being so attractive," tweeted one user while another agreed writing: "Joe Goldberg dans You has one of the most attractive and seductive voice I’ve ever heard. I can listen to him all day."
Another fan responded to the latter tweet claiming that his voice gives her wild thoughts: "Giiiirl no wonder these girls be wanting a piece of him !!! With a voice like that?! We’d be married the next day, hell I’d be having babies left and right."
A fourth tried to sum up the thought process, but it just wasn't making any sense!
So it's no surprise that Badgley has had to re-address the issue.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, he had some words for those fans who are attracted to Goldberg, as well as other notorious serial killers.
"What's your message to people who are finding themselves attracted to serial killers?", asked the interviewer.
"Yeah, you need to look at that inside," the actor started. "Now to be fair, with our show, you're meant to fall in love with him. That's on us."
However, the star went on to say that people who are thirsting over real-life murderers like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer can only blame themselves... and possibly Netflix.
"Ted Bundy, that's on you. Jeffrey Dahmer, that's on you. That is on Netflix. That is squarely on the shoulders of Netflix.
"I don't have answers at this point - I do but they're long and..." he adds, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, it's weird man."
One more time for the people in the back, please: STOP FANTASIZING OVER SERIAL KILLERS. Or go to therapy. Your choice.
