Sat, May 10, 2025 | Updated 2:48AM IST

Euphoria: Is it a good show or just completely negative

Times of Bennett | Updated: Apr 27, 2023 14:32
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By Nandini Sukhija

The drama television series Euphoria debuted on HBO in 2019. A group of high school teenagers are followed as they deal with trauma, love, drugs, sex, and other issues in the programme.
Even though Euphoria has gotten favourable reviews, been nominated for a number of awards, and has won several of them, it has also drawn criticism for its explicit and gory material, which some viewers may find upsetting or distressing.

The show has received appreciation for its artistic direction, musical score, bringing up teenage events that take you back to memories of youth (figuring out where they fit in the world, strong friendship bonds and even parental conflicts which in the end turn out to be fine) and acting by the actors, especially Zendaya, who won an Emmy for playing Rue Bennett. On the other hand, the programme has come under fire for glamourising drugs and for depicting mental illness in damaging and inaccurate ways.

It is either an extravagant high school fantasy or a gorgeous wreck. In any case, it is supposed to be a smash hit. It is said to be the “most loved and hated show on television”. Although it does a remarkable job of capturing the depth of the emotions kids experience, it is not a realistic portrayal of the events in teens' lives.
Many fans and critics have commended Euphoria for its daring and original narrative, aesthetically breathtaking cinematography, outstanding acting performances, and its candid treatment of touchy and tough subjects including addiction, mental illness, sexuality, and trauma that you experience the dopamine rushes of gorgeous sights and caps-locked emotions.

The negative pole on this show would be chaos in general and a lack of character development which had grown tiresome and dull. Some of the viewers criticised that it relies on shock factor to keep the audience interested. Some have also stated that the storyline in the programme may be jumbled and perplexing, with plotlines that seem undeveloped and unrelated.

Overall, Euphoria has received criticism for its explicit and potentially harmful content, as well as for its flaws in character development and storytelling. However, many people find it to be a compelling and thought-provoking show that explores important themes and issues in a unique and impactful way. Euphoria's reputation as a good or poor show ultimately hinges on personal preference and moral standards.