Trigger Warning: Euphoria spoilers, Discussion of sex, nudity, drugs, violence and other heavy issues
From sex scenes and nudity to drugs and violence, there isn’t much that Euphoria shies away from and won’t include. The HBO series has gained massive popularity in the past two years since its release, and some would say for a good reason. Although the show is a highly anticipated teen drama with a stellar cast, the second season has already received its fair share of controversy and criticism.
Following a group of high school students and their individual battles with relationships, drugs and sex, everyone can agree that it’s not the most realistic or relatable representation of high school life. I’ve been a fan of Euphoria since the first season due to the casting choices, but with every new episode of season two that I watch, I understand the heavy criticism.
In general, I support shows that push the boundaries just enough to make the scenes sensational, but the amount of nudity in Euphoria is unnecessary and incredibly excessive. Although I understand the occasional need to include explicit content and capture a moment the character is experiencing, it isn’t necessary to add nudity in already heavy scenes of physical violence and drug abuse.
Euphoria’s cast is one of my favourite aspects of the series, and I believe the storylines of most characters are developed well enough, without the need for explicit nudity in every episode. Even actors of Euphoria have expressed their opinions on the amount of nudity, including Sydney Sweeney, who plays Cassie Howard, who has more nude scenes than any other cast member. In an interview with The Independent, she said, “I’m very proud of my work in Euphoria. I thought it was a great performance, but no one talks about it because I got naked”. She has also previously revealed that despite Cassie already appearing nude in many scenes, the script had initially intended for much more nude scenes before she asked for them to be cut. The amount of nudity currently in the show has already created controversy, and I can only imagine the disaster it would’ve been if there were even more.
Whenever I see nudity in film and media, I always like to consider the necessity and the intention of including it in the scene. Some viewers have shared on social media that the amount of nudity in the show is a step in the right direction towards sexual liberation and feminism, but I’m not too sure when it comes to Euphoria. However, I must say that I’m not surprised that the most stereotypical, attractive, blonde, blue-eyed actress with curves in all of the right places is the one that has the most nude scenes amongst all cast members. I believe casting Sweeney was meant to catch the viewers’ attention, and it achieved to do that. However, excessive nudity in any show or film diverts attention from the actor’s performance and the storyline. Regardless of what Cassie Howard’s storyline is in Euphoria, the amount of nudity doesn’t really support Sweeney’s credibility and skills as a phenomenal actress. Although she’s consented to the scenes and is aware that pictures may be uploaded online, it doesn’t stop others from hyper-sexualizing her.
Like many viewers, I’ve watched all the episodes and wait to watch the newest one every Sunday. And like others, I’m not the only one to notice that Zendaya is the only actress that hasn’t had a nude scene yet. There’s no doubt that Zendaya is one of the more star-studded actors on the show, and I have always loved her acting throughout her career. However, I wonder if she personally set boundaries as an actress, which ultimately led to the lack of nudity displayed by her character in the show. If that was the case, it’s upsetting to realize that many newer actors may not have had that choice to decline nude scenes at the expense of their screen time.
Nudity in media may not always be well-received or create controversy, but it can be unnecessary and uncomfortable for many. Despite the criticism and controversy, Euphoria has displayed one of my favourite styles of cinematography and original soundtracks, so I will continue watching regardless. Overall, I believe the show has a lot of beautiful moments to offer through aesthetically stunning visuals, a beautifully curated and original soundtrack and personalized storylines for each character. If you’re considering watching Euphoria, remember it’s not for the faint of heart and be prepared to feel uncomfortable with some unsettling scenes.