The Best Books, Movies, Video Games, and Podcasts to Check Out After Watching ‘You’

June 19, 2026 - 01:15

Netflix's "You" gave us the perfect dark story for our times. Joe Goldberg's stalkery charm and the show's intense twists kept viewers hooked for four seasons. If you are already missing that mix of obsession, psychological tension, and unreliable narration, there is plenty of media to fill the void.

For books, start with "The Kind Worth Killing" by Peter Swanson. It opens with a chance meeting at an airport bar and spirals into a cat-and-mouse game between two cold-blooded strangers. It has the same slick, amoral vibe as Joe's inner monologue. Another good pick is "My Lovely Wife" by Samantha Downing, where a suburban husband and his wife bond over a shared hobby of murder. It captures that unsettling feeling of not knowing who you share a home with.

On the movie front, "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is essential viewing. Matt Damon plays a charming sociopath who inserts himself into a rich man's life, much like Joe does with his targets. For something more recent, "Ingrid Goes West" is a dark comedy about a woman who moves to Los Angeles to befriend an Instagram influencer. It nails the creepy side of modern obsession and social media stalking.

For video games, "The Last of Us Part II" forces you to play as characters on both sides of a violent revenge cycle. The game's brutal story and shifting perspectives will appeal to fans of "You" who enjoy moral gray areas. "Life is Strange" is another option, with its focus on relationships, secrets, and the consequences of digging too deep into other people's lives.

Podcast listeners should try "The Clearing." It tells the true story of a woman who helped the FBI investigate her own father, a suspected serial killer. The slow reveal of hidden identities and lies feels very familiar. "Criminal" also has many episodes about stalkers, con artists, and the psychology behind obsession.

These picks should keep you busy until Joe finds his way back to your screen.