Euphoria
Since the show Euphoria was released on June 16 of 2019, there has been multiple discussions on whether or not it glamorizes drug abuse and mental health issues. The TV-MA show can be difficult to watch, inappropriate, and may be triggering to some viewers.. Please, before you watch this show, it is in your best interest to search up the trigger warnings. Euphoria is famous for being problematic and aesthetic, but also because the main character, Rue Bennett, is played by famous actress Zendaya. Euphoria gained its popularity over the summer of its release and has returned for season 2. Its first episode of the second season was released January 9 of 2022. One of the biggest problems people have with this show is that they think the show glorifies and glamorizes drug abuse. On many occasions people have admitted to wanting to relapse or try drugs talked about in the show. Clearly, nothing that makes people want to try hardcore drugs or relapse with them should be taken lightly. The question is, does the show glorify serious issues or does it portray them in a way addicts can relate to?
One of the biggest arguments people use to illustrate the glorification of substance abuse in this show is scenes with cool lights, pretty makeup, and a good soundtrack. These scenes occur when the characters are high and experiencing “euphoria”, a feeling of great happiness often achieved through intense drugs. The aesthetic of these scenes highlights the main argument against the HBO series. In fact, after the initial release there was a trend on social media where people would recreate the abstract, glittery makeup and outfits of the characters in the show. This leads people to believe the “vibe” of the show will influence others to try the drug mentioned to fully experience the show in real life.
However, another group of people argue the show is simply a show and it's a drama. Of course, it's going to exaggerate the plot and it probably wouldn’t have as much hype if they didn’t include an “aesthetic”. Not just that, but many viewers also think people aren’t looking at the full picture. The whole point of the show is to portray why it’s so hard for people like Rue to quit. Addicts get hooked to the feeling of the high and the producers did the best they could to recreate the feeling in a visual way. Also, there are warnings for people with addictions and those that are easily influenced that this show may not be for them. Many of the cast members have even taken the liberty to mention this is a show for mature audiences only. It’s also important to point out that the whole show is narrated by Rue, the addict main character. If there is a glamorization of drugs it would make sense, the narrator is biased. She literally says, “I’m not always the most reliable narrator”.
The whole show isn’t just pretty makeup and good music, almost immediately after the euphoric scenes the after effect demolishes any “glory” drugs might have. As the show continues, we progressively see how drug abuse makes Rues life worse. An example of this is in the first episode where Rue overdoses and her little sister finds her immobile with vomit in her mouth. Before this, she mentioned how cool drugs can be, but after the camera zooms out to display the scene I just mentioned, she says, “drugs are only cool for a very small window of time”. There are many other scenes where the consequences of using, destroys relationships with her friends and family. For these reasons and more, people think instead of glamorizing and glorifying substance abuse this show is attempting to portray an addict's perspective of their struggles and how it affects their life. A few short scenes with bright colors and glitter doesn’t show the lifelong influence it has.
Whether or not euphoria glamorizes and glorifies substance abuse and mental health issues is no longer a question. The fact is: the show illustrated both the good and bad that comes with their actions. If you decide to take a stance on one opinion over the other, it's important to look at the bigger picture, and the opposing side. The producers and directors didn’t choose to just show Rue getting high and having fun, they also chose to show her overdose and how that traumatized her mother and sister. Moreover, it set the stage for her future actions and problems. In this article I decided to pick one of the many controversies on this show. I’m not saying it’s not without faults or that it hasn’t caused a large group of people to suffer in response to watching it. I just wanted to put it out there that it has a meaning and hidden messages throughout the first, and upcoming season. It depicts serious and heavy, relevant topics that need to be addressed, but it is still a show meant for entertainment.
