The Internet Is Debating Whether Joe From Netflix’s You or Norman From Bates Motel Is the Bigger Psycho

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Without getting into spoilers, You‘s second season takes Joe’s twisted tendencies – and the elaborate ways he commits murder – into a whole new direction. The new season has sparked quite a lot of conversation, including a now-viral tweet from @kvng_tomtom, which debates whether Joe is “worse”
than Bates Motel‘s Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore).

okay but who’s worse and why? pic.twitter.com/2ZiPNzEw96
— tom the fox sin (@kvng_tomtom) December 29, 2019

The tweet has fueled quite a lot of different reactions online, with an array of interpretations of Joe and Norman’s villainy. Some have argued that Norman’s behaviors across the Psycho franchise are much more terrifying, while some suggest that Joe’s mental clarity during many of his killings make him “worse”. Here are just a few of those responses.

Willy Wonka

honeeeeyyyyyy if you have to ask you did not watch Bates Motel. makes Joe look like Willy fucking Wonka https://t.co/sKwmNMoYfZ
— Lauren Michela 🌻 (@demaskingtape) December 30, 2019

No Contest

SPOILER ALERT (if you haven’t watched Bates Motel)

Norman killed his mother then turned her into his taxidermy project, preserved her body and kept her in the basement freezer with a tiara on her head. There’s no competition. https://t.co/6RqjtOhzjC
— ig: @kihmberlie (@kihmberlie) December 30, 2019

Oof

Joe. At least Norman came to terms with who he was but Joe will murder your entire friend group and make himself into the victim. Wtf https://t.co/E4A7Utrx0V
— Zongeh. (@armthony) December 30, 2019

LOL

Bates Motel stans @ ppl who say that creep from you is in any way shape or form a better psychopath than norman fucking bates pic.twitter.com/7zENzLvIu9
— shira / tms & bates (@alexIevys) December 30, 2019

Progress

norman walked so joe could run https://t.co/lbPtnS6GLu
— 🦋 (@SYDNIH_) December 30, 2019

Welp

If you put Norman from Bates Motel and Joe from You in one room. Who’s coming out alive? Norman gonna drag joe dead ass out the room without even knowing he killed joe.

pic.twitter.com/fwWphSbVRb
— lisa (@lisa_YOhi) December 30, 2019

One Take

Norman in Bates Motel ACTUALLY had multiple personality disorder. While he may seem “worse,” Joe is worse because he was fully aware when he obsessed and murdered. Joe planned his murders, while Norman blacked out, and didn’t even know he killed. Joe is much worse. A sociopath. https://t.co/ATrb2L336E
— Angela Sirman-Gonzalez (@_anggelaa) December 30, 2019