The third season of HBO’s Euphoria, which concluded recently, has sparked debate over its portrayal of a generation shaped by figures like Andrew Tate and Bonnie Blue. The show, created by Sam Levinson, has evolved from a drama about hedonistic teens into what some describe as ‘rage-bait’, designed to dominate social media with shocking moments. This season includes storylines involving OnlyFans, pup play, sugar daddies, and extreme violence, leading to accusations of glamorising misogyny.
Set five years after high school, the season follows characters like Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), who begs her husband Nate (Jacob Elordi) to let her do OnlyFans, and Jules (Hunter Schaffer), who becomes a sugar baby. Rue (Zendaya) works as a drug mule for a strip club owner. Early episodes drew criticism for portraying women as shallow fantasies, but later episodes questioned the idea of empowerment in such roles, including a scene where a dancer is sexually assaulted.
In episode five, Cassie launches an OnlyFans and fulfils fetishes for customers, while Nate encourages her to film an erotic video with a male influencer to clear his debts. The show explores how the attention economy rewards polarising figures, with characters staging controversy for profit. Critics note that Levinson himself has used shock tactics, making the show’s critique of algorithms and misogyny feel meta.
The season has been described as both ridiculous and influential, reflecting a ‘2026’ contradiction. While some argue the show has lost its way outside the high school setting, others see it as a bold artistic risk in a landscape that often prioritises quantity over quality. The cast, including Zendaya and Sweeney, have become A-list stars, leading some to feel they have outgrown the series.
