The anticipation surrounding the third season of Euphoria has reached unprecedented levels since its debut on HBO in 2019. This high school drama quickly captured audiences with its intense themes of trauma, striking visual aesthetics, and provocative scenes—most notably a locker room moment featuring a remarkable number of male nudity. Over the years, the series has established itself as a significant commentary on Generation Z’s struggles with sexuality, substance abuse, and mental health, propelling actors like Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, and former Disney star Zendaya into the limelight. However, despite the acclaim, the show has only released 18 episodes due to various delays, including the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires in Los Angeles. Much like a highly anticipated album from Rihanna, the arrival of Euphoria’s third season has begun to feel like a distant hope, with viewers wishing it would premiere before the cast ages into their 30s.
As the wait continued, enthusiasm has noticeably diminished. Speculations of discord between the cast and creator Sam Levinson have intensified since the announcement of the new season last fall. The subsequent press tour has given off an air of disinterest, with minimal social media engagement from the cast and Zendaya describing the filming experience as a “whirlwind” in an ambiguous interview with Variety. Regrettably, based on the three episodes available for review, it appears that the third—and likely final—season of Euphoria has not justified the long wait. The series presents a grim, humorless narrative that borders on exploitation, fixated on the darker aspects of sex work.
The storyline resumes five years after the conclusion of the previous season, with Rue (portrayed by Zendaya) embroiled in the unsavory world of drug dealer Laurie (Martha Kelly) to pay off her debts. Rue’s life as a drug mule between the United States and Mexico is depicted in cinematic sequences reminiscent of westerns and blaxploitation films, echoing the works of director Sean Baker that focus on sex workers. The content is disturbing, featuring graphic scenes of drug smuggling, as Rue narrates in a heavy-handed voiceover, “And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how fentanyl is smuggled into the US.” She enlists the help of Chloe Cherry’s character, Faye, and finds herself under the employment of Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), a club owner with a rehab clinic on speed dial. Simply put, Rue’s situation shows no signs of improvement.
In another subplot, Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) is navigating her tumultuous relationship with the toxic Nate (Jacob Elordi), who was previously involved in a love triangle with her former best friend Maddy (Alexa Demie). They present themselves as the quintessential American couple, although Nate’s business struggles and Cassie’s inclination to create OnlyFans content while dressed as a puppy complicate this image. The show’s treatment of Cassie’s cam girl aspirations feels outdated, exemplified by the line, “You wanna sell your body for floral arrangements?!” Meanwhile, themes around sugar babies and kink come across as both voyeuristic and judgmental. The creators seem to ensure Sweeney appears topless by the second episode and cast Grammy-winning artist Rosalía as a stripper, illustrating the contradictions inherent in Levinson’s storytelling.
Previously, Euphoria was known for its shocking and surreal elements, blending humor and dark themes, such as Kat’s (the late Barbie Ferreira) storyline of faking a terminal illness to end a relationship. Now, its humor is reduced to moments like Colman Domingo’s character Ali cursing about “butt sex.” A scene intended to highlight the couple’s wastefulness through a housekeeper listing discarded buffet items is abruptly undercut by Nate’s violent threat against her. While Nate has always had sociopathic tendencies, his character now reflects an unsettling cruelty.
Levinson has characterized the series as a tribute to the third step of Alcoholics Anonymous, which emphasizes surrendering to a higher power, and as a homage to Angus Cloud, who portrayed Fezco and sadly passed away in 2023 at the age of 25. There is a prevailing sense of loss overshadowing this season, which also marks the final performance of Eric Dane as Nate’s father, Cal. While Levinson aims to highlight the devastating impact of synthetic opioids on American lives, the relentless bleakness of the characters’ experiences raises questions about the necessity of such despair. Rue’s relationship with Jules (Hunter Schafer) used to serve as a bold representation of queer love and trans identity, but here it feels like yet another vehicle for a muddled exploration of the sex economy, reducing Jules to a mere canvas for male desires.
While the performances by Zendaya, Sweeney, and Akinnuoye-Agbaje are commendable, the overall tone of Euphoria’s third season is grim and seems intent on shocking viewers for its own sake. If the cast appears eager to conclude this chapter, it becomes clear why.
Euphoria’s third season premieres on Sky Atlantic and HBO Max in the UK on April 13, and in the US and Australia on HBO and Max on April 12.
