Warning: Contains SPOILERS for You season 4, part 1!
You season 4 part 2 could deliver a twist regarding the Eat the Rich killer's motive thanks to a moment from part 1. The majority of the first five episodes of season 4 revolved around Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) trying to figure out the identity of his murderous stalker, who eventually got the Eat the Rich killer name. Joe suspected various members of his new elitist socialite friend group, ranging from Roald to Adam to even considering Kate could be the killer. However, he eventually came to realize that Rhys was the Eat the Rich killer and was responsible for sending him on this wild search.
Despite Joe's extensive history of killing people, he was not able to easily get inside the mind of the Eat the Rich killer and identify him. This included Joe doing plenty of research about murder mysteries to try and better understand what it takes to find a killer. One of the areas that repeatedly made Joe stumble during his search to uncover the Eat the Rich killer's identity or who they would kill next was their motive. This is partially due to advice from Joe's student Nadia, which could set up a Rhys twist in You season 4, part 2.
You’s 3 Motives For Killing Someone Do Not Align With Rhys
Nadia tells Joe in You season 4, part 1 that there are only three motivations for killers in a murder mystery, but they do not fully align with Rhys' plot as the Eat the Rich killer. She gives a clue to You's killer identity by saying sex, money, or revenge are always the motive. While an argument could be made that money or revenge plays some part in Rhys' motives, there is also part of his plot that is more simply a means for him to put his public facade aside and revel in his darker desires. The truth of Rhys' motives is a desire to be successful.
Actor Ed Speleers explained this after You season 4, part 1's release during an interview with EW, where he mentioned that Rhys "is really driven by wanting a second chance for himself." This included teasing a checkered past for Rhys, and his Eat the Rich killer motivation being connected to righting a few wrongs from his past. The true meaning of these suggestions was not revealed. Still, it aligns with You season 4 suggesting that there could be more to Rhys' motive if he is going to fit into the traditional murder mystery killer mold and his killings born from sex, money, or revenge.
How You Season 4 Part 2 Can Change Rhys’ Motives
Of the three killer motives that You season 4 suggests must be tied to Rhys, sex is arguably the one that is least likely to factor into his Eat the Rich killer scheme. Despite his history with You season 4's many characters, a history of romance is not explored. This could be so part 2 can deliver a surprise twist in that regard, but it is difficult to connect You season 4, part 1's deaths to Malcolm, Simon, and Gemma through Rhys' sexual desires or past.
As a result, You season 4, part 2 changing Rhys' motives should be more about amplifying the need for revenge and money. It is possible that his wealthy friends from Oxford refused to help him when money got tight or urged him not to move into politics. This could be what ultimately is driving Rhys' motivation as the Eat the Rich killer in You season 4, part 2 as he makes his way through his supposed friends who turned their backs on him.