Euphoria Season 3 Sparks Outrage with Controversial Storylines
After a four-year hiatus, HBO's acclaimed series Euphoria has returned for its highly anticipated third season, but the comeback has been met with significant backlash from viewers. The show, which follows the lives of former East Highland High School students after a five-year time jump, now depicts them as adults navigating new challenges. Despite featuring a star-studded cast including Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi, fans are calling for the series to be cancelled due to what they describe as 'disturbing' and 'misogynistic' plot developments.
Graphic Scenes and Fan Reactions
Euphoria has long been known for its boundary-pushing portrayal of teenage issues such as drug use, sex, and violence since its debut in 2019. However, the latest season, under creator Sam Levinson's direction, has taken a more extreme turn, leading many to claim it has 'lost the plot'. In the episode titled America My Dream, viewers were particularly appalled by the depiction of Sydney Sweeney's character, Cassie Howard, engaging in what fans have labeled her most X-rated scenes to date.
Cassie is shown posing for provocative photos for an OnlyFans account, including graphic shots with ice cream dripping down her nude cleavage and wearing only a soaking wet, see-through American flag. Another scene features her in a baseball-themed shoot with just a nude thong, while later, she portrays an 'adult baby' with her legs in the air and sucking on a dummy. A voiceover by Rue, played by Zendaya, adds, 'It's a shame she was with Nate. Cassie was exactly the kind of girl you'd dream of signing. Beautiful, but directionless. So desperate for attention, she's willing to humiliate herself.'
On social media platform X, fans expressed their dismay, with one writing, 'Somebody save Sydney Sweeney,' and others calling the scenes a 'humiliation ritual'. Comments included pleas for Sweeney to reject such roles, with users questioning, 'How is Sydney even agreeing to do this season of Euphoria?' and noting concerns about potential typecasting in her future career.
Defence from Creators and Cast
Sam Levinson has defended the explicit content, explaining to The Hollywood Reporter that scenes like Cassie's 'puppy play'—where she wears dog ears and a nose—are intended to add layers of absurdity and humour. He stated, 'What we wanted to always find is the other layer of absurdity that we're able to tie into it so that we're not too inside of her fantasy or illusion - the gag is to jump out, to break the wall.'
Sydney Sweeney, speaking at the season three premiere to Entertainment Tonight, described her character as 'crazy' and willing to do anything for fame, making 'wild and interesting choices'. She has previously emphasized that she never felt pressured into nude scenes, telling The Independent in 2022 that Levinson was open to feedback, such as when she suggested removing unnecessary shirtless moments. In 2023, she even requested more intensity for Cassie's mania, saying, 'Give me more. I'm going to show you what I have. There's so much to this girl.'
Broader Criticism and Reviews
The controversy extends beyond fan reactions, with critics and public figures weighing in. Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly criticized a trailer showing Sweeney's character dressed as a baby in a sexual position, calling it 'sexualizing infancy' and branding Levinson as 'sick'. She argued that Hollywood has crossed a line, and most 'normal people' would recoil at such depictions. Podcast hosts on Ruthless agreed, speculating that Levinson might be exploring personal fetishes through the show.
Early reviews have been brutal, with the New York Post's Lauren Samer labeling the season as 'Breaking Bad meets Looney Tunes' and noting a shift from character-driven drama to random criminal plots. The BBC's Caryn James gave the first three episodes two out of five stars, stating that Euphoria now has 'very little to say' and feels strained. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season initially held a 46% critics score, reflecting widespread disappointment.
Additional criticism has focused on the show's over-reliance on shock value, including graphic scenes of drug smuggling with fentanyl-filled balloons and characters dealing with vomiting and diarrhoea. Fans expressed disgust over moments like a dog eating excrement, further fueling calls for cancellation.
Future of the Series
As Euphoria continues to air on HBO at 9pm ET/PT on Sundays, and in the UK on Sky Atlantic and streaming platforms, the debate over its content intensifies. With viewers and critics alike questioning the direction of the series, the future of Euphoria remains uncertain amidst growing demands for its end.
