‘You’ Season 4 Part 1 Finale — and What It Means for Part 2 — Explained: The Identity of the ‘Eat the Rich Killer’ and More

Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

‘You’ Season 4 Part 1 Finale — and What It Means for Part 2 — Explained: The Identity of the 'Eat the Rich Killer' and More

Warning: This story contains spoilers from season 4, part 1 of You. Hello, Joe — or is it Jonathan? Joe Goldberg may have committed too many crimes to start fresh, but that’s exactly what he tries to do in part 1 of You season 4.  The Netflix series’ fourth installment, which premiered on Thursday, February 9, takes the show in a refreshing new direction, with Joe (Penn Badgley) living in London and trying to begin a new life as college professor Jonathan Moore. While Joe quickly finds himself involved in yet another murder, he becomes the targeted prey instead of focusing on the object of his own affection.  “Season 4 is a legit departure. It’s even in a bit of a different genre, it’s a bit of a whodunnit,” Badgley shared during an “On Air With Ryan Seacrest” interview in February 2023.   Joe’s major goal in part 1 is to uncover the Eat the Rich Killer — a mysterious entity who is threatening to frame him for murder after a drunken and drug-fueled night leaves his memory unreliable. While he initially attempts to keep his hands clean, a work connection leaves him tied to London’s elites — and trying to clear his name.   “Part 1 was a nice reprieve. You always need to sort of go away to come back again, I suppose. And with this season, it was more true than ever,” Badgley told TV Insider in February 2023 about season 4's first batch of episodes. “To spend five episodes in a really different genre altogether is a stretch and a challenge. I think we rose to it.” Despite displaying a new facet of his character — and even getting a new name — playing Joe/Johnathan still felt all too familiar to the Gossip Girl alum. “The weird thing about Joe though is that he’s just so distinct,” Badgley explained to the outlet. “And the device of the narration and everything, it’s still always so physical. I’m always doing physical things. It may not be obvious as a viewer, but it is a very physically demanding role. So in that way, it was very much the Joe I’ve always known.” While Joe may be doing his best in You season 4, that doesn’t mean Badgley’s opinions on the character have changed — or how he hopes to see the psychological thriller end. “The show has always been a little bit of a meditation on [people blindly trusting Joe]. Like, what are we really doing here? Why do we like this guy?” he said. “I hope that we’re headed towards a tragic, just end for him, whatever that is.” All seasons of You are streaming on Netflix. Keep scrolling to see how things ended for Joe and his new pals in part 1 of You season 4: 

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Who Is the Eat the Rich Killer in 'You' Season 4?

The murderer is revealed in episode 5 to be Rhys (Ed Speelers), an England native raised in poverty who transformed his life with the release of his memoir. After his book became successful, he climbed the social ranks, was accepted into Oxford and launched his political career. 

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Who Dies in Part 1 of 'You' Season 4?

Rhys’ first victim is Malcolm (Stephen Hagen), whom he murders before framing Joe as his killer. While Joe is trying to uncover the murderer's true identity,  Gemma (Eve Austin) is also mysteriously killed, along with Simon (Aiden Cheng) — both upper-class friends of "Jonathan’s" new gang. 

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Does Anyone Find Out Joe’s Real Identity in Part 1 of 'You' Season 4?

Rhys knows who Joe really is and uses it against him. Kate (Charlotte Ritchie), meanwhile, learns that Joe has a past and is being framed for Malcolm’s murder. However, he paints himself as a victim who lost his son after he married a woman who did “very bad things.”

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How Do Kate and Joe Bond in Part 1 of 'You' Season 4?

While there is an initial attraction between Kate and Joe — the twosome even have sex — they form a closer connection after being forced to hide Gemma’s dead body while on vacation at their friend Phoebe’s (Tilly Keeper) country home. 

The pair initially suspect the other as Gemma’s killer but eventually agree it must be an outside perpetrator.

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What Is the Eat the Rich Killer’s Motive in Part 1 of 'You' Season 4?

Rhys tells Joe that he hates the privilege of London’s elite and wants to take them down.

In episode 5, Rhys wants to pin the murders on Roald (Ben Wiggins) after killing him. When Joe refuses to comply, Rhys leaves him and Roald to die in a fire. However, the two escape and the house burns to the ground. 

Back in London, Rhys announces his candidacy for mayor and Joe vows that he will take Rhys down for good. 

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Why Do Phoebe and Adam Break Up in Part 1 of 'You' Season 4?

Lady Phoebe calls it quits with Adam (Lukas Gage) after she discovers his bedroom kink is golden showers. Even when she offers to participate in the act, he refutes it, explaining that he enjoys doing it only with people who are “beneath him.”

When Phoebe realizes her beau will always see them as an unequal duo, she ends their relationship. 

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Why Do Joe’s Friends Turn on Him in Part 1 of 'You' Season 4?

Roald tells the gang that Joe/Jonathan killed Gemma and Malcom and accuses him of being the Eat the Rich Killer, claiming that all their friends started turning up dead once Joe arrived. 

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What Happened to Marienne?

While Joe hunts down Marienne (Tati Gabrielle), he ultimately lets her go after realizing she no longer loves him.