Euphoria isn’t just any TV show, it’s a masterpiece. But given some of its intense themes, we can totally understand if you haven’t taken the plunge just yet.
While you should absolutely watch with care — as it does cover some really dark themes — it’s worth the watch if you’re in a place to do so. Everything about Euphoria is filled with purpose, creativity and care. It will make you feel seen, it will make you cry, it will make you laugh and it will open your eyes.
Euphoria feels history-making. It’s going to be a moment in pop culture and TV history that we’ll be talking about for decades to come.
But, just in case you haven’t been convinced to watch it yet, here are six reasons that you really should jump on the Euphoria bandwagon ASAP.
The Iconic Fashion
If you’re into iconic fashion looks that ooze with glamour, painful perfection and a touch of nostalgia, then you could watch Euphoria for the fashion alone. Every character has a different aesthetic that’s executed to perfection and defines them thoroughly before they even open their mouth. I personally love that the costuming — the work of costume designer Heidi Bivens — is exaggerated, adding to the chaotic filmography of the show itself. Each character reads like an exaggerated version of a coming-of-age stereotype, and it’s truly delicious. The looks are very now, very Gen Z, very Dua Lipa . . . it’s like all the best moments from Y2K have been styled in a more elevated way.
In fact, I’ve already shopped a few Euphoria-inspired looks (and you can too here).
The Bangin’ Soundtrack
This soundtrack has a bit of everything. It has ’90s hip-hop (for example, with This Is How We Do It, by Montell Jordan), Y2K pop (in Don’t Cha, The Pussycat Dolls), ’80s rock (with Never Tear Us Apart, INXS), ’50s jazz (Summertime, Mahalia Jackson) and more current R&B (Return of the Mack, Mark Morrison), just to name a few of the absolute bangers throughout the first four episodes of season two.
Music plays a huge role in the storytelling of Euphoria and each song has been purposefully placed in its scene, giving the show an old school feel, at times, even though the themes are extremely current. The music adds this element of class to the show, where every episode feels like its own standalone short film and each character arc has its own unique sound.
The Talented Cast
Although there are well-known actors on the cast of Euphoria — like Zendaya (Rue) and Eric Dane (Nate’s dad, Cal) — the majority of the cast were up-and-comers when the first season debuted, or completely unknown to us prior to starring on the show. For actors Angus Cloud (who plays Fezco), Hunter Schafer (who plays Jules) and Alexa Demie (who plays Maddy), Euphoria was their first big role. And for others, like Sydney Sweeney (as Cassie) and Jacob Elordi (as Nate), they’d had a few roles in The Handmaid’s Tale and The Kissing Booth respectively, but it was this show that really launched their careers.
The casting in Euphoria is perfection, so while we love to see fresh faces make it big, it’s even better that each character is cast so fittingly. The chemistry between the cast is electric, chaotic and as high-strung as I remember my high school relationships to be.
The Representation
Jules is one of Euphoria‘s main characters and is also a trans teenage girl, so having Hunter Schafer (who is a trans woman herself) play Jules is important. Her storyline is not limiting and offers a level of representation that we hadn’t seen much of before Euphoria — particularly not in the context of high school and romantic relationships. Jules and Rue are at the centre of Euphoria‘s interweaving plotlines, and their relationship is portrayed with the care, bluntness and respect that echoes the young people of today.
Euphoria is packed with representation of every kind, from all-consuming drug addiction to closeted queerness, and self-loathing, plus, it also touches on topics like asexuality, infidelity, sexual violence and sexual assault. In short, it pretty much covers it all. And although it may feel overwhelming at times, the Euphoria characters and how they each identify shows a true cross-section of youth culture today.
The Painfully Relatable Moments
Euphoria is full of painfully relatable moments, but in season two, so far, they’re mainly courtesy of Cassie. In episode four, Cassie gets self-destructively drunk and vomits all over herself and her friends in the hot tub. We’ve all either been there or had to look after that girl in high school. Then, there’s the montage in episode three, where Cassie wakes up extra early every morning to excessively overdo her self-care routine in the hopes that Nate will notice her at school. It’s cringey, because hits a little too close to home.
Other moments, like Kat (played by Barbie Ferreira) laying on her bed eating chips and wallowing in self-doubt and self-loathing. I mean, that was pretty much my entire high school existence.
Everything Is So Pretty
We really can’t go past the fact that everything in Euphoria is just so aesthetic. Even in its darkest moments, there’s a poetic feel and look to it. I wouldn’t say that they over-romanticise reality, but it’s just so beautifully shot that there could be absolutely no dialogue and it would still be a pleasure to watch.
Season 2 of Euphoria is now streaming on BINGE.
