Joe Goldberg's adventures continue in YOU season 4, part 1, and these are the theories fans need to know before watching. The fourth season of Netflix's hit stalker thriller returns in 2023 but is split into two parts, which will only increase the tension and surprises that viewers experience. YOU season 4 once again follows Penn Badgley's Joe Goldberg as he moves to London after the traumatic events of season 3's finale, which included killing Love, burning their house to the ground, and leaving his son to be raised by neighbors. This also comes after he loses Marianne, who left Madre Linda to return to Paris.

YOU season 4 releases on Netflix on February 9, 2023, and the events that unfold are sure to answer some theories about the series, debunk others, and spark brand-new ones. Thanks to the teases of what YOU season 4's story is about, there are plenty of fascinating possibilities for what lies ahead in Joe's life. This could include anything from a twist that Peach is making a surprise return or that Love is still alive and ready to get revenge on Joe. There are plenty more YOU season 4 theories that audiences might want to be familiar with heading into the next chapter of the story.

Related: You Season 4 Is Already Repeating The Show's Smartest Joe Trend

4 Joe Is Stalking Himself In YOU Season 4

Joe Goldberg in You season 4

There is an intriguing YOU season 4 fans need to know that speculates that Joe is stalking himself this time. The YOU season 4 trailer revealed that someone is after Joe, texting him mysterious messages and hanging news clippings related to his past crimes (like killing Peach) on the wall of his apartment. The identity of Joe's stalker has sparked several theories about the plot of the show, ranging from it being a familiar face to one of season 4's new characters. However, Reddit user snowthief5 suggested a different answer: Joe Goldberg is stalking himself in YOU season 4.

According to this YOU theory, season 4 could reveal that Joe develops disassociate identity disorder. The post suggests that the traumatic events of YOU season 3's ending led to Joe creating an alter, or that Joe's traumatic childhood (which included an abusive father) is where his DID first developed, but the alter has not taken control. This would mean YOU season 4 follows Joe as he attempts to find who is stalking him, only to learn that he is. Such a reveal would need to be done delicately so the show can follow Moon Knight's disassociative identity disorder positive representation in movies and TV.

3 Joe’s Brother Is The YOU Season 4 Stalker & Killer

YOU Season 4 Joe With a Wire

Another YOU season 4 theory suggests that Joe's brother is the mysterious stalker and killer at the center of the story. The revelation that Joe has a half-brother came during YOU season 3 as part of flashbacks to his childhood. The series purposefully revealed that his mother settled down with a new family, which included raising her son Jacob, who is Joe's half-brother. After introducing the character in the last season, Reddit user Designer_Basket believes that Joe's brother can be the person who is stalking Joe and killing the rich in YOU season 4.

If this YOU season 4 theory is correct, the show will completely change during part 1. It would bring a familial element into the series, which could allow more about Joe's upbringing and family life to be revealed. This specific post suggests this is important for Joe's brother being the stalker and killer in YOU season 4. According to the theory, Joe secretly murdered his mother when he learned that she started a new family after abandoning him and leaving him with an abusive father. But, Joe's brother witnessed the events and is now old enough to carry out his revenge.

Related: You Season 4's Story Hints At A Genius New Twist That Can Save It

2 Dr. Nicky Is The YOU Season 4 Stalker

Dr. Nicky offering a cigarrette in YOU

Another YOU season 4 theory audiences need to know is the belief that Dr. Nicky is the stalker. John Stamos' character from the first season played a crucial role in the series due to his relationship with Beck. It was through his time being Beck's therapist that he learns of Peach's death and more, leading to Joe framing him for Beck's murder and sending him to prison. His return in YOU season 2 and meeting Forty also gave him confirmation that Joe had a history of using fake identities. This is the basis for Reddit user HannahBakerrrrrrrrrr's suggestion that Dr. Nicky is YOU season 4's stalker in a brilliant theory.

While Dr. Nicky was last seen in YOU saying he had no intention of trying to leave prison or fight his incorrect murder charge, everything that transpired after could have changed his mind. He could learn that Forty died in season 2 and that his sister was then killed in Madre Linda later on. It would be quite easy for Dr. Nicky to put the pieces together about Joe's behavioral habits. This YOU season 4 theory would mean the show needs to explain that Dr. Nicky is either out of prison or has an accomplice on the outside, but either would be a relatively easy twist to pull off.

1 Joe Is Finally Caught In YOU Season 4

You Season 3 Joe Love Henry

There is also the YOU season 4 theory that Joe is finally caught in part 1. Penn Badgley's charming killer has managed to evade capture, cover his tracks, and kill most suspecting figures over the last three seasons. However, YOU season 3 included one moment that could finally change Joe's luck. As noted by Reddit user Ok_Neighborhood7356, Joe cut off two of his toes in the YOU season 3 finale as a way to fake his own death. The decision did help him escape Madre Linda and move to Europe, but this also means that Joe's DNA is now on record and part of the criminal system in the United States.

Now that Joe's DNA is traceable, him being caught in YOU season 4 is a much stronger possibility. There is now the potential that any mistake he makes or traces of his DNA that is left behind at a crime scene could be used to connect him to the crime. This could include the jar of pee that Joe forgot at Peach's house back in season 1 finally factoring into the series. It also means that any investigations into murders in London that involve Joe in YOU season 4 could alert authorities to reports that he is supposed to be dead and lead to him being caught at last.

More: You Season 4: Everyone Who Knows Joe's Crimes (& Could Return)