Sam Levinson is as soon as once more beneath the microscope as “Euphoria’s” third season attracts backlash for its more and more provocative tone.
Whereas the HBO hit has lengthy been credited to Levinson’s artistic imaginative and prescient, on-line critics are actually questioning what he has “uniquely” delivered to the collection, with some arguing the present’s affect has been pushed extra by its forged than its creator.
The renewed debate comes as viewers take situation with a noticeable spike in explicit scenes this season.
After a four-year wait, Season 3 of “Euphoria” lastly premiered earlier this month, however as an alternative of common reward, the response has been noticeably muted.
The lukewarm reception has sparked a contemporary wave of debate round creator Levinson, with some followers now questioning what he truly contributes to the HBO hit past the performances of its breakout stars, together with Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney.
On Reddit, one broadly shared publish referred to as out what it described as more and more questionable artistic selections, together with graphic themes, fetish-driven components, and the dealing with of feminine characters. The publish went on to pose a pointed query that’s now gaining traction amongst viewers, saying, “What are iconic issues about ‘Euphoria’ that may be credited to Sam Levinson?”
Others Credit score Levinson For ‘Euphoria’s’ Core Id
Whereas criticism has dominated a lot of the dialog, not everybody agrees with the rising skepticism round Levinson’s function in “Euphoria.”
The Reddit thread shortly full of counterpoints from followers who argued that the present’s success can’t be separated from its creator. In truth, a number of customers pointed to Levinson’s distinctive place because the collection’s solely author.
“For higher or worse, he’s the only real author. Any storyline or quote/dialogue that’s change into iconic was written by him. Something a couple of character that resonates with individuals, past what they seem like and the way they ship strains, was written by him,” one other person famous.
Season 3’s Provocative Shift Fuels Contemporary Criticism Of Sam Levinson
Past the talk over artistic credit score, Levinson has additionally come beneath fireplace for what many viewers see as a pointy enhance in provocative content material in “Euphoria” Season 3.
A lot of the criticism has centered on Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie Howard, whose storyline veers towards the specific as she ventures into grownup content material creation.
Viewers have taken explicit situation with the framing of a few of these moments, arguing that the present leans too closely into shock worth. On social media, critics have accused Levinson of blurring the road between storytelling and sensationalism, with some claiming the artistic course dangers turning exploitative.
Sydney Sweeney Backlash Grows Over ‘Euphoria’ Scenes
The dialog hasn’t been restricted to Levinson alone. Sweeney has additionally confronted criticism from some viewers who questioned her resolution to tackle more and more express scenes in Season 3.
Nonetheless, her previous feedback counsel she has been totally snug with the artistic course of. In a 2022 interview, the actress made it clear that Levinson by no means pressured her into doing something she wasn’t on board with.
“There are moments the place Cassie was presupposed to be shirtless, and I might inform Sam, ‘I don’t actually assume that’s essential right here.’ He was like, ‘Okay, we don’t want it,’” Sweeney recalled, per the Daily Mail.
She additionally as soon as mentioned that she inspired Levinson to lean additional into her character’s already heightened emotional state. That transfer might assist clarify the extra excessive course Cassie takes within the newest season.
Sam Levinson Breaks Silence On Controversial ‘Euphoria’ Canine Scene
After largely staying quiet amid the backlash, Levinson has a minimum of addressed one in every of Season 3’s most talked-about moments, the scene by which Sweeney’s character is styled like a canine.
Chatting with The Hollywood Reporter, Levinson defined that the scene was by no means meant to exist purely for shock worth, however somewhat to spotlight a deeper layer of absurdity inside Cassie’s storyline.
“[Cassie] has bought her canine home and her little canine ears and the nostril, and that has its personal humor,” he mentioned. “However what makes the scene is the truth that her housekeeper is the one filming it.”
Levinson added that the intention was to tug viewers out of the character’s fantasy, somewhat than totally immerse them in it.
