Euphoria: Empowerment or Expliotation?
Euphoria(2019-Present) gives other popular teen drama series like Degrassi(2001) or Riverdale(2017), a complete run for their money!
Emmy Award-Winning series, Euphoria, portrays Rue Bennett, a struggling teenage drug addict in suburban California. Inspired by the original Israeli miniseries of the same name, writer-director Ron Leshem and Daphna Levi working with Sam Levinson have crafted a coming-of-age mashup that’s raw, gritty, and intense. Supported by a star-studded cast, the series offers a horrifying glimpse into an evolving reality for too many youths in America: an ongoing drug crisis.
In season 1, central protagonists, Rue (Zendaya), Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), Maddy (Alexa Demie), and Jules (Hunter Schafer) all explore their newfound realities as Rue experiences the world post-rehab, Cassie struggles with her notorious sexual history ruining friendships, Maddy attempts to impress her ex-boyfriend, Nate (Jacob Elordi), and Jules’ chaotic relationship with Rue takes a toll. However, season 2 elevates each character’s interpersonal dramas, with
Sweeney’s character in particular circulates much buzz online about seemingly unnecessary sexually exploitative scenes.
Sweeney has expressed to The Independent her comfort level with filming nude on several sets, not just Euphoria’s. She has a healthy distinction between her identity and that of her tumultuous character, explaining that communication and coordination with supportive crew members are the utmost necessity when working nude.
It’s important to note that in this modern wave of the feminist revolution, being more sexually empowered and diversely inclusive than ever, nude scenes on film are more often than not included with taste and purpose.
Yet, in season 2 of the series, some moments toe the line of being too casual without intent.
Cassie proves to be such a dynamic character and Sweeney herself has even pointed out that numerous fans and new viewers recognize her work for her acting, not being naked. It begs the question of whether or not including a two-minute topless scene of Cassie every other episode truly does justice to her character’s ongoing heartbreak and depressive spiral. Does nudity in such coarse emotional moments elevate the authentic rawness of the scene or just complicate it was consistent imagery of a nude and spiritually broken teen?
And Euphoria fans are actively discussing the intricacies of if this emotionally charged show accurately reflects the realities of teens in America in addition to writer-director, Sam Levinson’s unorthodox approach to crafting, shooting, and producing the series.
American teen dramas have evolved to have set themes of exploring sex, sexuality, and identity and Euphoria dives face-first into some of the harshest and lesser common molds of such experiences. The series proves to be an important show that chronicles aspects of an ongoing drug epidemic, drug addiction, sexual, emotional, and physical abuses that seemingly plague youth cross-country today!
Euphoria is now streaming on HBOMax.
