Why We Need Shows Like "Euphoria"

Writer: Kimani Leftridge

On June 16th, 2019, HBO’s newest addition “Euphoria” aired. Personally, as a fan of the show’s star, Zendaya, I had been anticipating the show since it was announced about a year ago. The closer it got to its release date, the more information we got on the plot and the cast. But it wasn’t until the show’s premiere that the audience was truly able to understand what the show is about.

“Euphoria” follows the lives of 7 teens living in an American suburb. The show’s main character, Rue (played by Zendaya) is a recovering addict struggling to navigate life sober.

Others in Rue’s circle are Jules, a trans girl who is the newest addition to the neighborhood and subsequently subject to a lot of attention and scrutiny; Nate, a star quarterback with severe anger issues who’s struggling to come to terms with his own sexuality; Nate’s girlfriend Maddie who is often caught in the crossfire of Nate’s violent outbursts; Chris, a football player finding out how hard it is to adjust from highschool to college, especially while in a relationship; Cassie, who’s sexual history is starting to have an affect on parts of her life that she did not expect; and Kat a body conscious teen that is starting to explore her sexuality in ways that might not be safe. The series tackles a myriad of serious issues such as abuse, addiction, sexuality, gender identity, body image and so much more. The show explores these issues in a way that is honest, straightforward and empathetic.

The show’s director and creator, Sam Levinson has stated that Rue’s character is based on his teenage self and his experiences. Despite being previously known only for her long term relationship with Disney and her appearances in the newest Spider-man movies, Zendaya manages to give a raw and convincing performance, many were truly surprised with how effective her portrayal as Rue is.

“Euphoria” gives audiences a whimsical interpretation of Gen Z, a generation that all of its predecessors have a difficult time understanding. It gives us a diverse look into the lives of today’s teenagers, demonstrating that while some of their misfortunes may be miniscule, teenage lives can be quite grim and tragic. There are young people in the world that have to cope with some pretty serious adversities.