Euphoria review: They’re all grown up today… but the ‘teen drama’ still has the power to shock

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Euphoria (HBO Max, SkyNow) 

HBO’s drama, Euphoria, has sparked a lot of debate with its frank portrayal of teenage life, including sex and drug use. The show also became a major launching pad for the careers of stars like Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney.

Did Sam Levinson create his show—which centers on teenagers dealing with addiction, social media, and difficult experiences—as a warning to young viewers?

Or was it just naked exploitation of characters who were essentially children?

A controversial scene in the first season showed around 30 actors portraying schoolboys with prosthetic penises. Viewers can interpret that scene as they wish.

Euphoria has returned for a third season after a significant delay, and it feels somewhat fresh and changed after being off the air since 2022.

Since the last season aired, the show has lost two important actors: Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, and Eric Dane, who played Cal Jacobs. Both have sadly passed away.

While Levinson worked on The Idol – a widely criticized and sensationalized show focusing on a man exploiting a pop star – many wondered if Euphoria would ever come back.

Zendaya, Elordi, and Sweeney have all become established movie stars, and it’s understandable why they might prefer leading roles instead of sharing the spotlight with each other, even if their contracts don’t allow it.

Over the Christmas season, Sweeney’s psychological thriller, The Housemaid, earned almost £300 million at the box office. Meanwhile, Elordi and Zendaya have both recently released highly anticipated films: Wuthering Heights and The Drama, respectively.

I’ve always loved Euphoria because it consistently gives actors a chance to really stretch themselves with complex and difficult roles. And honestly, that’s still absolutely true with this current season – the performances are incredible because the material demands so much from them.

Zendaya continues to deliver a fantastic performance as Rue, a young woman battling addiction who we first encountered as a teenager just starting her recovery.

When series three begins, five years have passed since the previous finale. We find Rue smuggling drugs across the Mexican border.

The scene where she swallows drugs is deeply disturbing, but Zendaya portrays Rue with such composure that we experience the character’s hidden fear instead.

Some parts of the story didn’t feel as fully developed. Cassie and Nate are engaged and living together in a flashy, somewhat uncomfortable suburban California setting.

He’s having a hard time earning a living through construction work, while she spends her days at home, even getting the housekeeper to film her in a revealing costume as she pretends to drink from a dog bowl, hoping to attract financial support from fans on OnlyFans.

The way the camera lingers over Cassie’s body suggests the show isn’t rooting for her happy ending.

Rebecca Sweeney seems enthusiastic about this new role, which is quite a change of pace considering she was recently nominated for an Oscar for her performance as a boxer in the film Christy.

Honestly, one of the biggest improvements with the new season is seeing Cassie as an adult. It just makes watching those intense scenes so much more bearable, and frankly, a lot more comfortable for me as a viewer. It’s a huge relief to not be dealing with teenage drama on top of everything else!

These young adults are now facing life’s big questions in a California that feels harsh and untamed, a far cry from the glamorous image most people have of it.

Surprisingly, Rue turns to religion, while Cassie remains focused on relationships and wealth. Nate, on the other hand, is driven to appear more successful than his father, Cal, who tragically passed away from motor neurone disease earlier this year after filming his scenes.

The show tackles big life questions with a talented cast, and it’s a welcome change from previous depictions, especially for viewers who have grown beyond their teenage years, thanks to its focus on healthy and respectful interactions.

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2026-04-14 03:48