“Euphoria:” A show draped in glitter and gems, ethereal visuals, partying, romantic hardships, and drug abuse. A popular show, for good reason. With gorgeous cinematography, its story tugs at the heartstrings of its young adult audience. “Euphoria” narrates the unseen trauma and hardship of a teen’s everyday life. Though the show will carry a great legacy with its audience, the production of the show and its director sparked some controversy.
I’ll admit that I absolutely love the show. I’ve definitely found myself bawling at some of the scenes involving the main character Rue Bennet, played by Zendaya. Aspects of this show can emotionally connect with teenagers. Especially with how they portray loss, love, and substance use.
These harsh and uncomfortable topics are what the show is known for. A lot of the backlash “Euphoria” receives comes from the inability to shed light on the topics appropriately, specifically the sexual aspect of a teenager’s life. A lot of it is the extreme sexualization of these portrayed teens. Additionally, mistreatment of these young actors and the director, Sam Levinson’s, questionable and raunchy directing choices contribute to the controversy. The director would actively push actresses to be fully nude for many scenes. Multiple actors spoke up against Levinson trying to force nudity scenes, especially because many of the actresses were portraying high school girls. This did not cancel out the nudity in the show. An overwhelming and disturbing amount of sex and naked high schoolers are still pictured in “Euphoria.”
As “Euphoria” moves on to its third season, that fetishization ramps up to a whole new level. But they’re not 16 anymore, so it’s ok, right?
What’s interesting with season 3 is that it almost completely drops in plot. Despite some recurring plot points, overall, it is a full 180°.
Season 3 moves away from that high school etherealness to cowboys and cartels, which is a switch-up visually and plot-wise, but it works well. This whole Western-Mexicali theme is refreshing to see; it works as a blank slate for the show. The director could do a lot with this new plot. But instead, it’s spent with strippers, porn-stars, cocaine, and Neo-Nazi’s. You can find any kink or fetish under the sun in this season of “Euphoria,” watering down the authenticity and sentimentality of “Euphoria.”
It took about three hour-long episodes until I was actually hooked by the plot. Half the show was just shock value. Some of the sex scenes were so distasteful and unnecessary, I genuinely felt like I was just watching pornography with my friends.
This season made it so hard to emotionally connect with the characters I once loved. The show still holds a special place in my heart, as it does for many others, but it is definitely falling flat.
I think this season fails to create a heartfelt story and is living off the scraps of the fame seasons 1 and 2 created. I don’t hate this new season; I just think it could be done better and be less of an Edgelord’s sexual fantasy.
