EUPHORIA - SEASON 1

Euphoria - Season 1

Release Date: June 16, 2019
Creator: Sam Levinson
Starring: Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Maude Apatow

Alright, alright, alright... Euphoria Season 1. I was told this was a high school drama. So, naturally, I prepared for some love triangles, a couple of awkward prom moments, and maybe a scandal involving the school mascot. But nope! I was slapped in the face with neon lights, heart-wrenching trauma, and a whole bunch of kids making TERRIBLE decisions. And let me tell you, it was like watching a trainwreck in slow motion... and I couldn’t look away.

So grab your cocktail (or your substance of choice, I don't judge), because we’re diving into Euphoria—and trust me, it’s going to get tipsy, wild, and deeply uncomfortable at times.

High School? More Like Emotional Rollercoaster (With Fireworks)

Let’s start with the basics: Euphoria is technically set in a high school, right? But... well, there's barely any actual schoolwork happening. Like, are these kids even in class? Who needs math when you can binge on drugs, heartbreak, and, you know, deep emotional scars? It’s like they took all the stuff we should be learning—like how to survive a pop quiz—and replaced it with the most intense, dramatic teenage soap opera I’ve ever seen. No algebra here, just lots of bad choices and even worse life decisions.

Now, I get it. Some critics say that the show glorifies drug use and glamorizes addiction. To that, I say... have you WATCHED it? Rue’s (Zendaya) life is the equivalent of that awkward person at a party who refuses to stop crying about their ex. It’s ugly, it’s painful, and let’s be honest, it’s a bit of a mess. Rue’s spiral into addiction is so raw and chaotic that I almost felt like I needed a drink just to get through it. (And yes, I did).

Rue's character is a wreck, but she's our wreck. And she’s played with so much nuance and desperation that you almost want to hug her… and then slap her… and then maybe hug her again just to make sure she’s still alive. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. I mean, I’ve been through some wild rides after a few too many margaritas, but this? This is a full-blown emotional Six Flags.

The Visuals: A Fever Dream With Some Major Style Points

Listen, if this show was just about kids screwing up their lives in the most dramatic ways, it’d be like any other teen drama. BUT! Sam Levinson, the creator of Euphoria, took it a step further and said, “You know what? Let’s throw in some glitter, make everything look like a nightclub after a wild night out, and add in some cinematography that could only be described as trippy as hell.”

Like, I’m talking about a kaleidoscope of neon lights, slow-motion sequences, and camera angles that make you question whether you’re watching a show or a psychedelic experience. It’s like the cinematography had one too many shots of tequila before the shoot and went full-on visual chaos. And I’m here for it.

Rue walking through school? It’s like she’s stepping through a bad dream with strobes, colorful lighting, and some seriously intense close-ups. It’s like your high school had a rave, but instead of glow sticks, they used emotional trauma as party favors. But it works! It’s hypnotic, it’s emotional, and it’s so pretty you almost forget that everyone in this show is a walking disaster. Almost.

And let’s not forget the music. Oh sweet Lord, the music. If you didn’t immediately add at least half the Euphoriasoundtrack to your playlist, I don’t even know what to tell you. Labrinth’s eerie, haunting score is the perfect soundtrack for all the emotional wreckage going on, while the modern hits bring you straight into the heart of Gen Z’s angst. It’s like a playlist made by someone who’s both sad and angry—and somehow, it makes every dramatic moment feel... well, extra.

Let me just say, if I had a dollar for every time a Euphoria song made me want to dramatically stare into the distance and cry into my gin, I’d be a millionaire by now.

The Characters: A Bunch of Beautifully Broken People

Now, let’s talk about the characters. You know, the ones that are basically a collection of red flags? Yeah, those. Look, these kids aren’t perfect. Heck, they’re not even close to perfect. They’re deeply damaged, emotionally fragile, and—at times—just straight-up awful. But for some reason, you end up caring about them anyway. It’s like watching a group of people who are just one bad decision away from total disaster… but you’re rooting for them. I think. Maybe. I'm tipsy, so don’t quote me.

Rue (Zendaya)

Okay, let’s talk about Zendaya’s performance as Rue. Holy hell. If there was ever an award for “Most Likely to Break Your Heart on Screen,” Zendaya would win it hands down. Rue is a mess—an unreliable narrator who can barely keep her life from falling apart, and honestly, she’s like the kid who keeps getting caught trying to sneak alcohol into the party. She’s compulsive, self-destructive, and at times, kind of a jerk. But she’s also heartbreaking in the most beautiful, painful way.

Zendaya brings a level of vulnerability to Rue that’s both gut-wrenching and mesmerizing. I’d say you want to give Rue a hug, but honestly, you’re probably too scared to get close to her because she might steal your last cigarette or accidentally ruin your life in the process. But hey, she’s trying. Sort of. Maybe. You just want her to get better while she continuously makes every wrong choice possible. And Zendaya’s performance? Forget about it. It’s so good, it should come with a free therapy session.

Jules (Hunter Schafer)

Then we have Jules. Oh Jules. The manic pixie dream girl who is somehow just as emotionally wrecked as Rue, but in a way that makes you want to throw glitter on her and hope everything works out. Played by the stunning Hunter Schafer, Jules is a whirlwind of impulsive decisions, vulnerability, and, let’s face it, big red flags. She’s beautiful, free-spirited, and honestly, one of the only people who gets Rue to feel anything that resembles alive.

Jules is that character you fall for despite knowing it’s a terrible idea. She’s too much of a risk—like ordering one too many shots at the bar—but you still go for it. And then, of course, you regret it... until you’re doing it all over again the next night. That’s Jules in a nutshell. And Hunter Schafer plays her with a perfect blend of fragility and fire.

Nate (Jacob Elordi)

Oh boy. If you thought your high school crush was problematic, meet Nate Jacobs. Played by Jacob Elordi, Nate is every toxic red flag you could possibly imagine wrapped in a tall, brooding package. He’s emotionally unstable, manipulative, and honestly the kind of guy who’d make you question your entire life if he looked at you the wrong way. I mean, seriously. Do we need a warning label on this guy?

Elordi’s performance as Nate is equal parts magnetic and terrifying. He’s the type of guy who could ruin your life in the blink of an eye, but somehow, you still find yourself intrigued. Is it his jawline? Is it the way he messes with your mind? Honestly, it's probably a mix of both. He’s the human embodiment of a red flag, and yet, he’s fascinating in that weird “I should not be looking at this, but I can’t look away” kind of way.

Cassie (Sydney Sweeney)

Cassie, played by Sydney Sweeney, is the girl who’s constantly chasing love like it's a golden ticket. She’s beautiful, insecure, and perpetually one bad decision away from a complete meltdown. Cassie is, like, always crying. And sometimes making questionable decisions while doing it. If she’s not chasing after a guy who treats her terribly, she’s making a grand romantic gesture that she’ll probably regret in about five seconds. But there’s something endearing about her desperation for love. You can’t help but feel for her, even as she’s making you want to scream into your drink.

Maddy (Alexa Demie)

Finally, we have Maddy. Oh, Maddy. The queen of toxic relationships. Maddy is the kind of girl who could destroy your self-esteem with a single glare, but you can’t help but watch in awe. She’s the girl who makes all the bad choices, but does it with such flair that you almost respect it. Alexa Demie plays Maddy with a mixture of confidence and vulnerability that makes you love to hate her. Maddy’s relationships are an emotional wrecking ball, but she’s the one who swings it.

The Drama: More Addictive Than My 3rd Glass of Wine

If you think Euphoria is just some high school drama, you’re wrong. So very wrong. This show takes the drama, turns it up to 11, and then adds a turbo booster. It’s like riding a rollercoaster of emotions, except no one has checked the safety harness, and you’re almost certain you’re about to go flying off at any second. There’s heartbreak, rage, betrayal, and waytoo many bad decisions, but somehow, it’s all so compelling. You’ll be sitting on the edge of your seat, eyes glued to the screen, wondering how anyone manages to survive this level of chaos.

Final Thoughts: Is Euphoria Worth the Emotional Hangover?

So here’s the thing: Euphoria Season 1 is like a party you didn’t know you needed, except it’s filled with drama, neon lights, and some seriously messed-up characters. It’s intense, it’s raw, and it’s one hell of a ride. Is it emotionally exhausting? Yes. Do you feel like you need a drink to get through the sheer chaos? Absolutely. But it’s also one of the most visually striking, emotionally complex shows in recent memory. And Zendaya? Don’t even get me started. She’s a powerhouse.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(9 out of 10 stars)

This show is wild, folks. You’ll cry, you’ll laugh, and you might need therapy afterward, but damn, it’s worth it.

And with that, I’m off to refill my glass. Cheers! 🍸