The series finale of HBO's Euphoria delivered an 88-minute episode that felt more like a standalone film, complete with biblical references and a sudden shift into morality. The show, which has been known for its shocking scenes, ended with the words 'May God bless us all,' leaving viewers questioning its message.
The finale featured gruesome deaths, including drug boss Laurie hanging herself when the feds arrive, and Rue overdosing on fentanyl. Rue's death, occurring 45 minutes into the episode, was understated and predictable, removing the show's lead and narrator. The baton was then passed to her sponsor Ali, a side character, while key figures like Jules and Cassie were relegated to minor roles.
This highlights the central problem with Euphoria's final season: it never seemed sure what it wanted to be. Creator Sam Levinson struggled to balance the show's signature cinematography and examination of algorithmic grooming with a gangster-style turf war between drug bosses. The finale's jumbled narrative, including a 30-minute segment at a strip club where Ali avenges Rue's death in military uniform, felt disjointed and confusing.
While individual scenes were enthralling, the overall effect was like being told a story by an intoxicated person. The machismo-fuelled ending was particularly disappointing for a show that has always centred on relationships between young women. The religious motif seemed out of place for a series focused on young people with no apparent value system beyond self-gratification.
