‘The last nice guy in New York’ : unraveling toxic masculinity in Netflix’s <i>You</i>

Abstract

This thesis approaches Season 1 of Netflix's <i>You</i> to unravel the interaction between toxic masculinity and the framing of romantic courtship in relationships. Through a feminist and framing theory lens, this research explores how the protagonist, Joe Goldberg, rationalizes forms of controlling coercive violence as a behaviour that stems from love. Through a thematic analysis, this study identifies three stages in Joe's relationship with Beck that demonstrate patterns of obsession, control, and victim blaming. It uncovers the show's implicit endorsement of Joe's actions as romantic gestures. Moreover, it digs into the framing of other characters and the show's ambiguity in depicting Joe as a feminist figure despite his misogynistic behaviour. By engaging with literature on stalking and media influence, this research criticizes the societal implications of blurring the lines between toxic masculinity and romantic pursuit, ultimately advocating for more nuanced portrayals of gendered violence in popular culture.