#sam_levinson

Euphoria's Sam Levinson & Marcell Rév Talk Season 3's New Look The creators of Euphoria, Sam Levinson and cinematographer Marcell Rév, have unveiled the visual and narrative evolution of Season 3, which diverges from the emotionally intense close-ups of previous seasons. The new season, inspired by Westerns like Rio Bravo and The Wild Bunch, as well as Jurassic Park, introduces a broader cinematic style aimed at immersing viewers in the characters’ experiences. The season’s opening episode, titled “Ándale,” features Rue (Zendaya) five years after high school, now relatively sober but entangled in dangerous situations, including a perilous attempt to cross the Mexico-U.S. border wall while selling fentanyl. Levinson and Rév emphasized a shift in storytelling, moving away from the subjective, close-up shots of earlier seasons to a wider aspect ratio that frames the characters within a larger world. “We wanted to be inside the characters’ heads,” Levinson explained, highlighting the deliberate choice to step back and present the story with a more expansive visual language. The border wall scene, which opens the season, was shot using a telescoping crane and real blue skies, with Rév drawing inspiration from Jurassic Park’s tension of being trapped. The production built a five-foot replica of the border wall near Los Angeles to achieve the desired authenticity. Another standout visual challenge was the candlelit dinner between Nate (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie (Sydney Sweeney). The scene, which reveals Cassie’s cunning and Nate’s financial strain, was shot with 200 real candles to create an intimate, tense atmosphere. Rév insisted on avoiding artificial lighting, carefully positioning the candles to illuminate the actors’ faces while maintaining the scene’s authenticity.#sam_levinson #euphoria #zendaya #angus_cloud #marcell_rev

"Euphoria" Season 3 Episode 2 Release Date and Schedule April 18, 2026, 3:00 p.m. ET A new episode of "Euphoria" Season 3 will drop on Sunday, April 19, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max, with new episodes dropping weekly through May 31. The season, which returned after a long hiatus, features characters now in their early twenties, five years after the events of Season 2. Rue, portrayed by Zendaya, works as an indentured servant for drug dealer Laurie (Martha Kelly), while Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) navigate married life. The series, created by Sam Levinson, explores themes of faith, redemption, and the problem of evil. USA TODAY TV Critic Kelly Lawler gave the season ★★ out of four, noting that the show has returned to a "completely different zeitgeist" four years after its last season. She observed that the series has "lost its fire," with "the party drugs all used up" and "the lights have turned on at the club." Lawler attributed this shift to the changing world and the cast's elevated status as A-list stars, writing that the show "has changed" since its debut. The season’s episode schedule includes eight episodes, with the first episode airing on April 19. Subsequent episodes will follow on April 26, and the final episode is scheduled for May 31. The cast includes Hunter Schafer as Jules Vaughn, Eric Dane as Cal Jacobs, Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs, Sydney Sweeney as Cassie Howard, Alexa Demie as Maddy, Maude Apatow as Lexi Howard, Martha Kelly as Laurie, Colman Domingo as Ali Muhammed, Chloe Cherry as Faye, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Alamo Brown. HBO has not announced plans for a Season 4. Creator Sam Levinson hinted that Season 3 may be the final season, stating he writes each season "like it's the last season" and has "no plans" for a fourth season.#sam_levinson #euphoria #hbo #zendaya #hbo_max

‘Euphoria’ Creator Breaks Down Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie’s OnlyFans ‘Fantasy’ The creator of the hit series Euphoria, Sam Levinson, has provided insight into the controversial storyline involving Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie, who transitions into creating OnlyFans content as a means to fund her wedding to Nate, played by Jacob Elordi. The season-three premiere opens with Cassie and Nate on the verge of planning an expensive wedding, but Nate’s financial struggles and Cassie’s desire for wealth lead her to pursue an online career. This decision has sparked debate among fans and critics, with some calling the plotline exploitative and others viewing it as a reflection of Cassie’s character. Levinson explained that the storyline was designed to blur the line between the show and its audience, creating a sense of intimacy and absurdity. He emphasized that the bizarre elements, such as Cassie being filmed in a puppy costume or dressed as a baby, were intentional. “We wanted to break the wall” between viewers and the characters, he said, noting that the scenes were crafted to juxtapose Cassie’s fantasies with the reality of her situation. The housekeeper’s role in filming Cassie’s content was highlighted as a key element, with Levinson stating that the humor and absurdity of the scene stem from the contrast between Cassie’s “dog house” persona and the mundane setting of her mid-century home. The show’s cinematographer, Marcell Rév, added that the visual contrast between Cassie’s OnlyFans content and her domestic life was a deliberate choice. He described how the bright, glowing ring lights used in her cam-girl scenes created a stark contrast with the dark,压抑 surroundings of her home.#sam_levinson #euphoria #sydney_sweeney #the_daily_beast #jacob_elordi

Euphoria Season 3 Sparks Outrage Over Controversial O*Fans Storyline Featuring Sydney Sweeney The third season of the HBO series Euphoria, created by Sam Levinson, has ignited widespread controversy and backlash for its portrayal of a storyline involving Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie, engaging in explicit and provocative scenarios with O*Fans. The season’s release in April 2026 has led to intense criticism on social media, with fans and critics condemning the depiction of Cassie as a "sexualized child" in a storyline that has been widely perceived as exploitative and inappropriate. The controversial scenes center on Cassie, portrayed by Sweeney, being dressed in a baby outfit, including pigtails, a diaper, a see-through shirt, and a pacifier, while engaging in role-play scenarios that have been described as disturbing. These scenes include Cassie walking on her knees like a dog, being led on a leash by Nate Jacobs, and drinking water from a bowl, all of which have been interpreted as normalizing pedophilic content. Fans and critics argue that the storyline crosses ethical boundaries, particularly in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, which has heightened public sensitivity to such themes. Social media platforms have been flooded with reactions, with users expressing shock and outrage. One user tweeted, “Sydney Sweeney in season 3 is literally just humiliating her. I don’t get how they don’t see that it’s not about this, her role is reduced to basically HUMILIATING HER, she’s not gonna win any awards like that.” Another user wrote, “Sydney Sweeney is a one-dimensional actress, famous for her breasts, not her beauty. I didn’t care about the AE jeans ad but now, now I have a problem. F**k you for even being willing to dress up as a fetishized, sexualized toddler in the era of Jeffrey Epstein.#jeffrey_epstein #sam_levinson #euphoria #sydney_sweeney #o_fans

Euphoria Is a Monument to Sam Levinson’s Lack of Creativity The third season of Euphoria has become a testament to Sam Levinson’s stagnation as a writer, reducing the series from a nuanced exploration of addiction, identity, and adolescence to a self-indulgent spectacle of style and provocation. While Levinson initially drew from his own struggles with addiction to craft a raw, character-driven narrative, the show has since devolved into a constant, tedious act of thumbing its nose at skeptical audiences. What began as a portrayal of Rue’s sobering journey, Jules’s experience as a trans teenager, and Nate’s fraught relationship with his father has transformed into a series of increasingly absurd meta-commentaries, flashy camerawork, and over-the-top violence. The season-two finale, in which Lexi stages a play about her sister Cassie’s affair with Nate and betrayal of her friend Maddy, epitomizes this shift. The episode becomes a meta bonanza, with Euphoria winking at its own reputation and amplifying its absurdities. Yet, this self-referentiality reveals how the show is now defined almost entirely by artifice, with Levinson’s writing plateauing to the point where he can only reference the series’ past rather than imagine its future. The first three episodes of the season, released to critics, underscore this stagnation. Four years have passed since season two, and five years in show time, yet Euphoria and its characters remain trapped in high-school thinking, caught in the same holding pattern and narrow worldview as before. The romantic entanglements, petty grievances, and juvenile views on love and success are unchanged, suggesting a deliberate critique of Gen Z’s self-centeredness and performative culture.#sam_levinson #euphoria #ryan_gosling #zendaya #angus_cloud

Euphoria Season 3 Review: Entertaining but Disjointed Fan Fiction The third season of Euphoria opens with Rue (Zendaya) reflecting on the idea of reinvention, a theme that becomes central to the season’s narrative. A new acquaintance tells her, “That’s the beauty of this country we call America,” framing the show’s exploration of identity and transformation. This line, however, feels more like a setup than a nuanced commentary, setting the tone for a season that balances grandeur with a lack of cohesive direction. Four years after its debut, Euphoria has evolved significantly. The show, created by Sam Levinson, has navigated the loss of key cast members, including Angus Cloud and Eric Dane, as well as the departure of Barbie Ferreira. Behind the scenes, producer Kevin Turen’s death in 2023 and Hollywood strikes further complicated production. These challenges, combined with creative tensions between Levinson and HBO, delayed the season’s release. Potential storylines, such as Rue becoming a pregnancy surrogate or a private detective, were abandoned due to tonal misalignment with the show’s identity. The first three episodes of Season 3, out of a planned eight, retain the show’s signature style—bombastic, stylish, and humorously cutting—but lack the grounding elements that defined its earlier seasons. The series, which reimagined high school drama with an R-rated intensity, previously balanced absurdity with emotional stakes. For example, the Season 2 finale juxtaposed a school play with a deadly drug raid, creating a stark contrast that amplified the show’s themes. In Season 3, however, the crime elements are presented without such strategic contrast, leaving the narrative feeling disconnected.#sam_levinson #hbo #zendaya #euphoria_season_3 #alamo_brown

Euphoria Returns with Mixed Critical Reception and Controversial Content The long-awaited return of the hit HBO series Euphoria has sparked a wave of mixed reactions from critics, with some praising its bold exploration of modern youth culture and others condemning it as a tired, exploitative spectacle. The third season, which premiered four years after the previous installment, features the return of stars Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi, but its reception has been sharply divided. While some reviewers called it a "dazzling" and "unflattering portrait of modern America," others dismissed it as "grubby, humourless torture porn" obsessed with sex work and voyeurism. The show’s controversial trailer, which included a sexually charged image of Sweeney’s character dressed as a baby, further fueled debate about its artistic intent and ethical boundaries. Critics like The Guardian’s Hannah J Davies and The Telegraph’s Eleanor Halls were among the most vocal in their criticism, accusing creator Sam Levinson of reducing his female characters to "performance or exploitation" and framing the series as a "misogynistic fantasy" of a "creepy old man." Davies called the show "a work of torture porn" that fixates on sex work, arguing that Cassie’s portrayal as an OnlyFans content creator felt "bafflingly dated" and that the series’ focus on "sugar babies and kink" came across as both voyeuristic and judgmental. Halls echoed these sentiments, stating that Levinson had "trapped all of his female leads in the performance, or exploitation, of sex work," with the camera "peering and leering" at them in every shot.#sam_levinson #hbo #zendaya #sydney_sweeney #jacob_elordi

Fans Disgusted by Sydney Sweeney Posing as Naked Baby for Euphoria Euphoria season three, which premiered on April 7, 2026, has sparked significant controversy ahead of its run through May 31, 2026. The latest uproar centers on Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie Howard, and her latest OnlyFans content for the season’s trailer. The clip, released on X (formerly Twitter), features Sweeney in a sheer chemise that exposes her nipples, but the attention is drawn to her posing as a baby, wearing a binky and diaper. This depiction has led to widespread backlash from fans, who argue it strays from the character’s established traits and raises uncomfortable questions about the show’s direction. Cassie’s storyline in season three involves her engagement to Nate, portrayed by Jacob Elordi, and her descent into social media addiction, which drives her to create OnlyFans content. The teaser’s release has reignited debates about the show’s evolution since its debut. Fans have criticized showrunner Sam Levinson for what they perceive as a departure from Cassie’s character arc, arguing the content feels inauthentic and exploitative. Many have accused Levinson of prioritizing shock value over narrative coherence, with some suggesting the material veers into problematic territory. On social media platforms, fans expressed outrage, with comments like “I think there might be something seriously wrong with Sam Levinson tbh” and “none of this is cute and it plays straight into pedo territory. ew.” Critics have pointed out that while niche audiences may find the content appealing, the broader audience finds it unsettling.#sam_levinson #euphoria #sydney_sweeney #onlyfans #jacob_elordi

‘Euphoria’ Returns: Trashier, Sexier—and Better—Than Ever After four years, Euphoria is back, as tawdry and titillating as ever. And yet, somehow, better. With its first two seasons, Sam Levinson perfected a particular brand of high-gloss trash, cramming every possible scary, sleazy, screamy, sexed-up teen issue into a multipronged story that was dialed to 100 and pitched as the most pretentious show in television history. The creator/writer/director never met a young girl he didn’t want to droolingly ogle and/or put through hell, and with his HBO hit, he lustily indulged in goofy, inane, exploitative maximalism. Yet for all the grating posturing, its self-conscious over-the-topness occasionally resulted in bracing drama. The show was totally phony, lurid, gross, and look-at-me ridiculous, except on those intermittent occasions when it was startling, invigorating, and real. That push-pull between the affected and the authentic remains intact in Euphoria’s long-awaited third season (April 12), whose protagonists, now out of high school, find themselves navigating a modern world where sex is the most valuable commodity, and selling it is the quickest, easiest, and best means of achieving their dreams. Levinson’s series, you won’t be surprised to hear, is happy to sell it too, in great, sensationalistic doses. More than before, though, his plotting is rigorously streamlined and his characters piercingly defined, making this eagerly anticipated return (at least on the basis of the three episodes provided in advance to press) its finest to date. Euphoria gets off to an adrenalized start in the Chihuahua desert, with Rue (Zendaya) operating as a drug mule for Laurie (Martha Kelly), who didn’t let her previous faux pas with a suitcase full of drugs slide.#sam_levinson #euphoria #zendaya #martha_kelly #adewale_akinnuoyeagbaje

Euphoria 3 Release: Critics Slam Final Season Amid Ratings Drop The third and final season of the acclaimed series Euphoria, titled Euphoria 3, is facing widespread critical backlash as its release approaches. Early ratings on Rotten Tomatoes have plummeted to a series low of 50%, marking a stark decline from previous seasons. Critics have expressed disappointment with the show’s narrative direction, character development, and the perceived lack of depth in its adult characters. The final season shifts focus from the high school setting that defined the series to the characters’ lives as adults, a change that has drawn mixed reactions. Sam Levinson, the show’s creator and director, has been a central figure in the controversy. Critics argue that the new season fails to capture the intensity and ambition that characterized earlier episodes. One review on the Rotten Tomatoes platform noted, “Levinson’s series was never this spiritually hollow, and it was always more active, insistent, and ambitious.” Another critic wrote, “Without the high school setting, the only thing to cling to is Euphoria’s characters, but that only makes it more apparent that Levinson may not have had a good grasp on them to begin with.” These critiques highlight concerns about the show’s ability to evolve while maintaining its core themes. The plot of Euphoria 3 follows the main characters as they navigate adulthood. Rue, who has achieved sobriety, struggles with her past traumas. Cassi and Nate, who were once central to the series’ romantic tensions, are now married. Maddy, who previously grappled with identity and fame, is working in Hollywood, while Jules continues her journey through art school.#sam_levinson #euphoria_3 #rotten_tomatoes #rue #cassi_nate

Euphoria Season 3 Review: 'The Show Has Lost Its Zeitgeisty Edge' Four years after its debut, the provocative HBO drama returns with its core cast—Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney—reuniting for its third and likely final season. However, critics argue the series has lost its cultural relevance and originality, now resembling a "series with very little to say." The season’s radical shift toward a neo-Western narrative, including elements like tumbleweeds, cowboy hats, and a golden gun, has drawn mixed reactions, with many questioning the decision to take Rue’s story in such an unexpected direction. When Euphoria first premiered in 2019, it was celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of sex, drugs, and gender fluidity in high school, capturing the zeitgeist of a generation. Since then, the show’s lead actors have transitioned to major film roles, and while their performances remain strong, the series itself has struggled to maintain its earlier edge. The third season, which spans eight episodes, has been criticized for its repetitive structure, with characters cycling through familiar struggles without meaningful evolution. The show’s creators, including Sam Levinson, have attempted to frame the characters’ journeys as a "Wild West" metaphor for young adulthood, but this approach feels forced and overly literal. Zendaya’s portrayal of Rue continues to be a standout, even as her character navigates increasingly absurd scenarios. Rue, now in Mexico, battles for sobriety while working for a drug-dealing boss named Alamo, a role played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. The character’s arc, which includes managing a strip club and distributing drugs, is presented with a mix of dark humor and surrealism.#sam_levinson #zendaya #sydney_sweeney #euphoria_season_3 #jacob_elordi

Forum Members Criticize Balenciaga Fall 2026 Collection as Boring and Uninspired As night fell over Paris on day six of Paris Fashion Week, Pierpaolo Piccioli unveiled his second collection as Balenciaga’s creative director. The former Valentino designer, who took over the role in May 2025 following Demna’s departure from the brand, presented a lineup that emphasized architectural elements and futuristic aesthetics. The show, titled “ClairObscur,” was staged in collaboration with filmmaker Sam Levinson, featuring scenes from the upcoming third season of his series Euphoria. Models walked the runway in structured coats, draped dresses paired with leather opera gloves, chunky sneakers, crystallized sunglasses, and the iconic Rodeo and City handbags. The collection was positioned as a showcase of Balenciaga’s storied heritage, blending structured silhouettes with avant-garde details. Attendees such as Naomi Watts, Lori Harvey, and Winona Ryder witnessed the Balenciaga x Euphoria crossover, with the venue designed to mirror the series’ thematic tone. The presentation highlighted the brand’s focus on architectural precision, with garments that leaned into sharp lines and exaggerated proportions. However, the collection faced immediate backlash from fashion critics and forum members, who described it as uninspired and derivative. Reactions from theFashionSpot’s forum members were overwhelmingly negative, with many calling the collection “pedestrian” and “boring.” One user wrote, “This is probably one of the worst collections of all times shown at a big maison. Left me speechless.” Another criticized the lack of originality, stating, “He has nothing to say. And why is he referencing Demna’s clothes? Move on. Better, move OUT.#balenciaga #pierpaolo_piccioli #sam_levinson #euphoria #paris_fashion_week

Balenciaga Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear Runway, Fashion Show & Collection Review The Balenciaga Fall 2026 runway show in Paris unfolded amid a chaotic scene outside the venue, sparking speculation about whether the frenzy stemmed from brand hype or the presence of actor Hudson Williams, recently named a “friend” of the house. Artistic director Pierpaolo Piccioli further amplified the event’s cultural resonance by enlisting “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson to design the show’s environment, aligning with the brand’s ongoing trend of integrating pop culture into its presentations ahead of the release of season three of the show on April 12. Despite the anticipation, the wait for the show stretched beyond 40 minutes, and the collection failed to deliver the anticipated impact. Eighty-one models paraded down a narrow path of light, showcasing meticulously crafted ensembles centered around a bold statement coat. Many of the designs featured a bulging, cocoon-like back—a nod to the brand’s founder, Cristóbal Balenciaga’s iconic silhouette. Piccioli emphasized the collection’s focus on portrait collars and other face-framing elements, which he linked to Levinson’s unflinching portrayal of Gen Z in the series. During a preview, Piccioli praised Levinson’s ability to capture “the light in the darkness” of contemporary life, describing the collaboration as metaphorical and deeply reflective of the current moment. The show opened with a striking array of black outfits, the season’s defining color. A voluptuous leather bomber jacket with a bubble-like shape and a bulging back was followed by a sculptural peacoat with a collar rising like a calla lily. An imposing officer coat with raised collars and lapels completed the opening sequence.#balenciaga #pierpaolo_piccioli #sam_levinson #hudson_williams #paris