Euphoria Season 3 Premiere Faces Backlash Over Graphic Content
The highly anticipated third season premiere of HBO Max's teen drama Euphoria has been met with significant criticism from viewers, who have taken to social media to blast what they describe as 'nasty' and 'gross' scenes featuring stars Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney. The episode, which officially dropped on the streaming platform on Sunday, marks the show's return after a four-year hiatus since season two.
Controversial Plot Developments and Graphic Scenes
The narrative picks up five years after the events of season two, following the characters into their early twenties. Zendaya's character Rue is revealed to be working as a drug mule, owing the formidable Laurie approximately $43 million. In one particularly graphic sequence, Rue is forced to swallow multiple mini bags of drugs to smuggle them into the United States, with the montage depicting her gagging, dry heaving, and struggling through the ordeal. She enlists the help of Faye, played by Chloe Cherry, in this grueling process, with both characters shown vomiting during the attempt.
Meanwhile, Sydney Sweeney's character Cassie is planning a lavish wedding to Nate Jacobs, portrayed by Jacob Elordi, while expressing interest in joining the adult content platform OnlyFans. In a separate scene that has drawn considerable attention, Cassie is seen wearing a brown corset and skimpy bottoms, posing for photos taken by a maid while adorned with dog ears, a collar, and a leash. The scene includes her licking water from a bowl and biting a shoe in a canine-inspired performance. Nate later walks in on her taking more provocative photos on their bed, intended for social media.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Outcry
Viewers quickly voiced their displeasure on platforms like X and Reddit, with many expressing shock and disgust. One fan commented, 'this is basically a humiliation ritual for everyone involved...' while another questioned, 'At what point did Euphoria go from Euphoria to Breaking Bad??' Additional reactions included:
- 'I don't know if I'm watching an ep of Euphoria or of Narcos.'
- 'EWWWWW????? THE DOG WHAT.'
- 'This is so gross.'
- 'This nasty as hell omg.'
- 'they threw in every possible fetish all at once, euphoria you died.'
The criticism extended to a recent trailer released on Saturday, which featured Cassie dressed as a baby with a pacifier, seemingly posing for OnlyFans content. Social media users reacted with confusion and dismay, with one writing, 'Had to rewind the baby outfit scene because surely I wasn't seeing what I thought I'd just seen???' and another stating, 'Sydney girl, you can say no to scenes.'
Critical Reception and Early Reviews
Ahead of the premiere, early reviews were largely negative, with the season being labeled an 'unhinged disaster' yet 'pretty uneventful'. The show held a 46% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes before the episode's release. Lauren Samer from the New York Post described the third season as 'Breaking Bad meets Looney Tunes,' noting that while earlier seasons were anchored by human drama, the new plot relies on random criminal elements. The BBC's Caryn James gave the first three episodes two out of five stars, writing that 'Euphoria has become a series with very little to say.' Alison Herman of Variety highlighted the oversexualization of characters, pointing out that 'all of them are involved in sex work, crime or work that's adjacent to both.'
Production Context and Future of the Series
Season three, created by Sam Levinson, consists of eight episodes airing weekly until May 31. The premiere arrives under the shadow of tragedy, following the untimely deaths of cast members Angus Cloud and Eric Dane. Cloud, who played drug dealer Fezco, died in July 2023 at age 25 from a combined drug overdose. Levinson has indicated that Cloud's character will remain part of the story in an undisclosed capacity. Dane, who filmed his scenes before passing away in February 2024 at age 53 from ALS, also appears in the season.
During a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Zendaya hinted that season three might be the final installment, stating, 'I think so, yeah.' She reflected on her time with the series, saying, 'Rue taught me so much about empathy and redemption. I'm very grateful for all of it.' The show, which first premiered in 2019, has garnered accolades including a Golden Globe for Best Actress for Zendaya, but the latest season faces an uphill battle with both fans and critics amid the controversial content.
