Euphoria Season Three Review: A Disappointing Descent into Bleakness
After years of anticipation, the third season of HBO's acclaimed drama Euphoria has finally premiered, but it brings little joy to its dedicated audience. What was once a groundbreaking series known for its dark humour and insightful exploration of Generation Z's struggles has devolved into a grubby, humourless work of torture porn, obsessed with and repulsed by the world of sex work. Based on the first three episodes released for review, this season feels like a misstep that fails to justify the lengthy wait.
A Long-Awaited Return Marred by Controversy
Since its debut in 2019, Euphoria has captivated viewers with its heady mix of trauma, vibrant aesthetics, and daring scenes, such as the infamous locker room sequence. Over time, it has cemented its status as a cultural touchstone, launching stars like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi into the A-list. However, the show's production has been plagued by delays, including the Covid-19 pandemic and Los Angeles fires, resulting in only 18 episodes over five years. Like a mythical pop culture event, season three became a mirage that fans hoped would arrive before the cast aged out of their roles.
Excitement has waned amid rumours of rifts between the cast and creator Sam Levinson. The press tour for this season had a distinct air of contractual obligation, with sparse social media activity from the actors and Zendaya describing filming as a whirlwind in an interview. This backdrop of discord sets the stage for a season that, unfortunately, does not live up to expectations.
A Bleak Narrative Lacking in Humour
The story picks up five years after season two, following recovering addict Rue, portrayed by Zendaya, as she is drawn into the insalubrious world of drug dealer Laurie to settle her debts. Her life as a mule between Mexico and the US is depicted through cinematic sequences inspired by westerns and blaxploitation films, reminiscent of Sean Baker's sex worker-centric works. These scenes are gritty and unflinching, featuring graphic depictions of drug smuggling and relentless hardship for Rue, who cannot catch a break.
Elsewhere, Cassie, played by Sydney Sweeney, navigates a relationship with toxic jock Nate, portrayed by Jacob Elordi, while exploring her cam girl ambitions on OnlyFans. The show's handling of sex work feels bafflingly dated, with storylines around sugar babies and kink coming across as both voyeuristic and judgmental. Levinson's direction often contradicts itself, casting Grammy winner Rosalía as a stripper while simultaneously critiquing the industry.
The Loss of Euphoria's Original Charm
Previous seasons of Euphoria were known for their shocking, surreal, and blackly funny moments, such as meta school plays and Kat faking a terminal illness. In contrast, season three's humour is sparse, limited to crude jokes and mean-spirited scenes. A potentially droll moment where Nate and Cassie's wastefulness is highlighted is quickly overshadowed by Nate's threatening behaviour, reducing his character from a sociopath to simply mean.
Levinson has described this season as a tribute to the third step in AA and a homage to the late Angus Cloud, who played Fezco. There is a palpable sense of loss, compounded by this being the final role for Eric Dane as Cal. While the series aims to comment on the ravages of synthetic opioids in America, it does so by plunging its characters into horrifically bleak circumstances, sacrificing nuance for shock value.
Performances Shine in a Flawed Framework
The cast delivers strong performances, with Zendaya, Sweeney, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje standing out as excellent. However, their efforts are undermined by a narrative that seems hellbent on rattling viewers for the sake of it. The once-queer heart of the show, Rue's relationship with Jules, is reduced to a confused exploration of the sex economy, stripping Hunter Schafer's character of her depth and agency.
In summary, Euphoria season three is a grim television experience that abandons the wit and insight of its predecessors. If the cast appeared desperate to move on, this season explains why. It premieres on Sky Atlantic and HBO Max in the UK from 13 April, and on HBO and Max in the US and Australia from 12 April, but it may leave fans wondering if the wait was truly worth it.
