Euphoria season 3 has left fans shocked after a brutal death scene for Jacob Elordi's character Nate Jacobs. In the penultimate episode, Nate is buried alive by his creditors, only to be bitten by a rattlesnake that slithers down his air pipe. The scene has sparked widespread backlash among viewers.
Creator Sam Levinson told Esquire he aimed to deliver a comeuppance so horrific that fans would question whether they truly wanted it. 'I know what the audience wants in terms of justice or karma,' Levinson said. 'I always think, how can I give it to them, but make it so horrific and anxiety-inducing that the audience isn't so sure they wanted it?'
Levinson revealed that real venomous rattlesnakes were used for scenes leading up to Nate's death, though a non-venomous substitute was placed in the coffin with Elordi. The showrunner described the death as a way to explore audience complicity in demanding consequences for toxic characters.
The death comes after Nate suffered a savage beating and had a toe cut off on his wedding night to Cassie (Sydney Sweeney). His mounting debts to Naz (Jack Topalian) ultimately led to his entombment and fatal snakebite. Euphoria season 3 concludes next week.
