Penn Badgley Is At His Best When He’s At His Creepiest

We’ve all been feeling a little weird about Penn Badgley since Gossip Girl ended, right? Discovering that he was Gossip Girl (xoxo) all along didn’t totally negate how fun it was to watch his romance with Blair (Leighton Meester) or relate to him as the smart outsider, but it was more of an, “Oh man, he really did that? Duuuude, kinda creepy, bro,” once it was all revealed.

Which brings us to Badgley’s next project, You, which premiered last night on Lifetime, where he goes fully creepy, bro. And that had to be the next logical step for him as an actor. Cash in on the creepiness, take it to the max, mix it up with some comedy and romance so we’re not all the way turned off, and gather up praise for what you were totally meant to do.

Because You finds Badgley at his best, even if his best is also his creepiness. As Joe Goldberg, we’re immediately intrigued by the fact that he’s a cute guy who manages a bookstore, totally falling once he turns up the charm for the romantic portion, and then even more invested as he morphs into scary stalker mode. It’s not a simple performance Badgley is turning in here as he bounces between menacing moments and comedic voiceovers. The Gossip Girl comparisons are unavoidable here as his time as Dan has 100% prepped him for this more grownup, unhinged role — and one that is sure to appeal to original GG fans.

The rest of the details that fill up Joe’s life, from the soft spot for his young neighbor to loving books to seeming like he just might be the last normal guy in NYC, these all cushion the fact that this guy is a psycho stalker. One that, yes, keeps us on our toes, from his Joker-like laughs to blank stares hiding a world of secrets. Because even the stalker side’s got his reasons: he’s only doing his invasive research to make sure Beck (Elizabeth Lail) is worth falling for, and to protect himself, all while ultimately hurting others. Sound like anyone you may know?

Dan was also great at seeming like he’s not a snob, but then totally being a snob about the snobs around him, and Joe follows suit. And while You can seem like a grownup version of Gossip Girl fit for the Lifetime lineup, what Badgley’s performance is bringing here goes much beyond any soapy teen, or adult, drama. It’s detailed and fascinating and totally effective.

You has a lot going for it to keep viewers hooked on the 10-episode season. The way Beck and Joe meet in a bookstore brings an old-school element that mingles nicely with all the modern technology explored in the show, and the same goes for the way it tangles romance, drama, touches of comedy, and the thriller genre aspects throughout each episode. While Lail is mostly relegated to the romance lane, and Shay Mitchell as Peach holds down the drama lane, it’s Badgley who is weaving through it all with his performance. The actions of his character aren’t always good, but his acting is.

Where to watch You