What's the message of Euphoria?
Euphoria really teaches teens that no matter what you look like, you need to be confident. The show highlights the issues addiction brings in, and how easily you can slip back into your old habits.
The series follows Rue Bennett (Zendaya), a troubled teenage drug addict who struggles to get sober, find her place in the world, and adjust to her relationships after rehab. Though Rue is the central focus of the show, the beginning of most episodes provides backstories for the rest of the main characters.
While substances such as cocaine, molly, fentanyl, oxycontin and marijuana are mentioned in many of the episodes, the main focus of the show is to raise awareness for those suffering from addiction, not to promote these activities, according to the lead actress and executive producer, Zendaya.
Did you know? Health and happiness are often linked, sometimes even in etymologies. Nowadays euphoria generally refers to happiness, but it derives from euphoros, a Greek word that means "healthy." Given that root, it's not surprising that in its original English uses euphoria was a medical term.
He wanted to create more awareness and empathy around tough topics like substance addiction and mental health. Levinson was a former addict himself, he felt it was important to show the relief that drugs can bring to someone who suffers from anxiety or depression as well as the pain and grief that they can create.
The show attracts many viewers, in part because of the star-studded cast featuring Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney and Angus Cloud. The wide audience noticed the show's extreme displays of drug use, sexual activity, parties and all the things your parents warned you about growing up.
HBO's show, Euphoria, has sparked controversy with its depiction of teenage drama, violence, and addiction. Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the HBO show Euphoria, as well as discussions of abuse, drug addiction, gun violence, self-harm, and suicide.
Teen Drug Abuse, Addiction, and Mental Health in “Euphoria”
It is alluded to that she suffers from bipolar disorder, anxiety, as well as OCD. As viewers, we hear Rue's thoughts, we watch as she cannot fully escape them, and we break a little inside as she uses drugs (and continues to use them) as an escape.
Euphoria's Ties to Mental Illness
Euphoria's main character, Rue (played by Zendaya) is alluded to as suffering from bipolar disorder, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Throughout the show, the audience hears Rue's thoughts, putting us closer to the character's lived experience.
After the play, Jules approaches Rue, telling her she loves her and misses her. Rue wordlessly kisses Jules's forehead and walks away. In a voiceover, Rue explains that Jules was her first love and wants to remember her in that positive light, suggesting they don't get back together.
Why does Rue cry glitter?
But, no look quite represents one's emotional state like that of Rue Bennett. During high intensity scenes in the first season, Rue wears glitter that mimics tears. Because of Rue's traumatic past, we know she struggles with depression and often wears it on her sleeve as a cry for help.
In the TV show "Euphoria," glitter is often used as a visual representation of the characters' inner emotional turmoil and struggles. The glitter can symbolize the illusion of happiness, the desire to escape reality, and the facade that many characters maintain to hide their pain.
While at school the face of Rue (Zendaya) remains almost bare, when the character goes out she always wears a rhinestone-rich make-up at the bottom of her eyes. This last detail should be seen in a dramatic way since the use of these glitters represents the tears resulting from a painful crying.
They are all facing issues that teens have been dealing with for decades, including Generation Z. Although, “Euphoria” brings a new perspective when looking at these issues because it is able to accurately capture how teens deal with their problems now that the internet and social media are a part of everyday life.
It Was Loosely Based On A String Of True Stories
According to Good Morning America, series creator Sam Levinson drew inspiration from many of his personal experiences while adapting the show for the US. He revealed that he battled drug addiction for years before finally becoming sober.
The Euphoria creator has been open about his own drug addiction as a teenager and young adult and how it inspired Rue's story. Levinson spent his young adult life in and out of hospitals and rehab facilities before getting clean at 19 and remaining that way ever since.
“I think 'Euphoria' can help them understand,” she said, agreeing the show is a fair representation of high school life, albeit a bit exaggerated for dramatic effect. “It's a good thing for them to watch.”
Some would argue that Euphoria is encouraging teenagers to do drugs, drink drive, exploit themselves sexually and so much more. When a show presents itself so beautifully, so intensely, it can be easy to see how we might see this as a glorification of what wouldn't be otherwise endorsed.
In Euphoria, Rue's drug use starts at age 13, following her father's cancer diagnosis. As he undergoes treatment, Rue's father is prescribed pain medication to be taken at home.
The premise of “Euphoria,” created by Sam Levinson and based on his own struggles with addiction, follows Rue Bennett (played by Zendaya) and her classmates as they navigate the tumultuous waters of relationships, addiction and trauma.
What are the social issues in Euphoria?
It highlights many of the struggles teenagers and young adults face today, touching on issues such as sexuality, gender identity, emotional and physical abuse, drug addiction and social media pressures.
Levinson's own struggles inform his depiction of Rue, who also has bipolar disorder, as is addressed in the penultimate episode of the season.
On the show Euphoria, Rue is so depressed that she can't get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Depression can definitely cause a lack of motivation and changes in energy levels, causing some people to do destructive things towards their health.
Cassie is depicted as being eccentric and suffering from several mental disorders — most notably, anorexia nervosa — and multiple issues, including low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, and drug addiction, but is gentle-natured and friendly. Murray described her character as...
First, there are Cassie's extreme emotional reactions. Sweeney's Cassie is never displaying the same level of emotion as those around her unless it's rage — uncontrollable outbursts of anger being another criteria of BPD.
