Euphoria is back with more shock and scandal, but mixed reviews
Euphoria is back with more shock and scandal, but mixed reviews
Euphoria, the acclaimed US series, is back after a four-year hiatus, with its core cast—Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi—once again at the center of attention. However, the long-awaited third season has sparked a divided reception among critics, who question whether it maintains the same intensity as its predecessors. While some praise its boldness, others argue it has lost its edge, leaving viewers unsure if it still delivers a compelling narrative.
Controversy in the Trailer
The show’s provocative approach to themes like sex, drugs, and angst has always generated buzz, but its latest trailer has intensified the debate. A snippet featuring Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie, shows her in a baby outfit with curly pigtails, a dummy in her mouth, and open legs, sparking online reactions. One user described it as “fetish content. Disgusting,” while another called it “just disturbing.” The imagery has raised questions about the series’ evolving portrayal of its characters, particularly Cassie, who is now an OnlyFans content creator.
Mixed Critical Reception
The Guardian’s Hannah J Davies criticized the season as “a grubby, humourless work of torture porn that’s obsessed with and repulsed by sex work,” noting that Cassie’s cam girl ambitions feel “bafflingly dated.” She also highlighted how the show’s focus on sugar babies and kink straddles voyeurism and judgment. Meanwhile, the Telegraph’s Eleanor Halls gave the season two stars, calling it “the misogynistic fantasies of a creepy old man” and accusing Sam Levinson of trapping his female leads in “the performance, or exploitation, of sex work.”
“This isn’t character development, this is fetish content. Disgusting.”
“This is just disturbing.”
Other critics were more reserved. The New York Post’s Lauren Sarner labeled the season “an unhinged disaster” and “an off-the-rails roller coaster of insanity,” praising its Gen-Z superstar appeal but questioning its narrative coherence. BBC Culture’s Caryn James echoed similar concerns, stating that Euphoria has “lost its zeitgeisty edge” and now feels like “a series with very little to say.” Variety’s Alison Herman added that while the show “never not entertaining,” its current form “feels like entertaining but disjointed fan fiction.”
Characters and Themes
Though the first episode is the only one released so far, it already sets the tone. Cassie convinces her fiancé, Nate (played by Elordi), to let her post videos online to fund their wedding. Zendaya’s character, Rue, has transformed from a high schooler to a drug mule, driven by debt to a dealer. Despite the mixed reviews, Davies acknowledged the actors’ performances, calling both Zendaya and Sweeney “excellent.” She also noted that Levinson’s intent to highlight the impact of synthetic opioids on young Americans is clear, though the execution feels extreme.
Vulture’s critic Roxana Hadadi described the early phase of Euphoria’s return as “completely airless,” suggesting the show’s current direction lacks depth. While moments of cultural critique remain intriguing, she pointed out the lack of emotional resonance, as characters continue to “loathe themselves as much as each other.” As the season progresses, the question remains: can Euphoria’s blend of chaos and character-driven drama reclaim its former brilliance, or has it settled into a more disorienting rhythm?
