‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Premiere Slammed by Disappointed Viewers for Going Too Far

After a four-year hiatus, Euphoria returned on Sunday, April 12, and fans had a lot to say about what went down in the premiere episode. Most controversial were scenes involving Rue (Zendaya) swallowing drugs and Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) dressing as a dog and baby for her OnlyFans, which she created to help fund her wedding to Nate (Jacob Elordi).

In addition to The Guardian calling the premiere “grubby” and “desperate” in a review, there was an intense online reaction to what happened in the first episode of Season 3. For the most part, viewers were disappointed at how far the show, which has always been known for its scandalous content, had taken things.

“euphoria back on our screens but it’s just [creator] sam levinson’s weird nasty fantasies being shown,” one person wrote on X, while someone else said, “This is so embarassing even for jacob. But, how Sydney sweeney can agree to do something like this? It’s like a humiliation ritual.”

This is so embarassing even for jacob. But, how Sydney sweeney can agree to do something like this?💀 It’s like a humillation ritual #euphoria #euphoriaseason3 pic.twitter.com/uMqBFSQWhd

— Notearsleftdave☔ (@Davebarrerita) April 13, 2026

Another person also called out Levinson for Rue’s storyline, writing, “there’s something seriously wrong with you sam levinson.” Someone else also wrote, “The first episode of Euphoria is disturbing, guys, really tough, I swear, I don’t know how to react.”

While many have hinted that they’ll still return to watch future episodes this season, some fans are also throwing in the towel already. “I just watched the first episode of Euphoria S3 and I’ve already decided to skip the rest of this new season… Sam Levinson, you’re disgusting,” someone tweeted.

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It’s already been speculated that this will be the last season of the HBO series, and Zendaya recently admitted on The Drew Barrymore show that she “thinks” this will be the end of the story. “That closure is coming,” she confirmed. Euphoria premiered in 2019, then aired two special episodes in December 2020 and January 2021 before returning for Season 2 in 2022.

Euphoria, Season 3, Sundays, 9/8c, HBO and HBO Max