Rhys Montrose is a pivotal character from Season 4 of the Netflix thriller series You. He's portrayed by British actor Ed Speleers and serves as a complex figure in Joe Goldberg's unraveling psyche.

Core Identity

Rhys Montrose first appears as a charismatic, real-world aspiring politician and author running for Mayor of London. By day, he's a public intellectual from humble beginnings—a council estate kid turned celebrated memoirist—with a rags-to-riches story that captivates London's elite. His book A Good Man in a Cruel World becomes a bestseller, blending social commentary with personal grit.

But the major twist reveals Rhys as Joe's hallucination and dark inner voice. This split-personality manifestation taunts Joe, mirroring his own murderous impulses while pushing him toward self-awareness (or deeper denial). It's not a flesh-and-blood villain but Joe's fractured mind externalized, complete with imagined philosophical chats in a creepy underground lair.

Role in the Plot

  • Catalyst for Chaos : "Real" Rhys befriends Joe at a high-society party, sparking an intellectual bond amid scandals. Hallucination-Rhys manipulates Joe into framing others—like neo-Nazi Roald—for murders Joe himself commits.
  • Key Quotes :

"We all wear different masks, depending. And of course, parts of us we can't bear to show anyone."

"You're in denial about yourself. It's a shame. You're not the man I hoped you were."

  • Season Arc : Rhys "helps" Joe navigate killings tied to the Eat the Rich crew, culminating in Joe confronting his own darkness. Fans debated his reality early on, with Reddit threads buzzing about clues like Rhys appearing only to Joe.

Fan & Forum Reactions

Online chatter exploded post-Season 4 (2023 release, still trending into 2025).

  • Reddit Love : Appreciation posts hail Rhys as a standout—funny, quotable, and the perfect foil. One thread: "Rhys stands out as the top character in that aspect," with 35+ upvotes.
  • Theories : Some speculated dual Rhys (real + hallucination), but the finale confirms it's all in Joe's head. Forums like r/YouOnLifetime dissect his accent, chemistry with Joe, and Speleers' star turn.
  • Multi-Viewpoints :

Fan Take| Why It Resonates
---|---
Heroic Alter-Ego| Rhys voices Joe's "better" impulses, critiquing privilege—some ship the dynamic.4
Ultimate Villain| Represents Joe's unchecked ego; his "death" forces growth (or not).9
Meme King| Lines like "Sorry, do I know you?" spawn edits; Speleers' smolder fuels thirst posts.2

Behind the Performance

Ed Speleers (from Wolf Hall , Star Trek: Discovery) nails the duality—suave charm flipping to sinister glee. Interviews highlight the role's layers: "It's complicated," Speleers teased pre-finale. No major 2026 updates, but with You Season 5 looming, Rhys echoes in Joe's NYC return.

Quick Facts

  • Debut : You S4, Part 1 (Feb 2023).
  • Real-Life Tie-Ins : Rhys's backstory nods UK class divides; fans link to real politicians.
  • Trivia : Hallucination Rhys wears stylish coats Joe covets; plot echoes Fight Club/Jekyll-Hyde.

TL;DR : Rhys is Joe's imaginary evil twin—a politician/author by facade, psychopath enabler within—making S4 a mind-bending peak. Fans adore the twist.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.