HBO has brought the hit drama Euphoria back to screens after a four-year hiatus, introducing a new timeline set five years after the second season ended. The premiere episode, which debuted Sunday on HBO and HBO Max, follows Rue as she navigates a dangerous new life as a drug mule.
In the new season, Rue (Zendaya) has transitioned from her previous struggles to a high-stakes role transporting fentanyl for a drug trafficker named Laurie. The character has become an experienced 'mule,' swallowing sealed bags to evade detection.
While the premiere reintroduces familiar faces like Lexi and Maddy in new professional settings in Hollywood, the absence of Jules (Hunter Schafer) has drawn significant attention. According to dialogue from Lexi, Jules is currently living as a 'sugar baby' in a relationship with an older, wealthy man.
Mixed critical reception
Critics have offered divided opinions on the season's opening. Esquire praised the premiere, urging viewers to 'give Euphoria a chance' and highlighting Zendaya’s performance. The publication noted that the series retains its draw through 'exaggerated romantic drama' and the 'almost unbearable trauma' of the drug trade.
However, Vulture raised concerns regarding the new character dynamics between Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi). The review noted a shift in power that felt inconsistent with previous seasons, stating that a new 'playfulness' in Elordi's acting 'doesn't necessarily fit with what we know of his character.'
The episode also provided closure for the character of Fezco (Angus Cloud). The series revealed that Fezco is alive but serving a 30-year prison sentence following the raid on his home.
The inclusion of this plot point serves as a tribute to the late Angus Cloud, who passed away from an accidental overdose in July 2023. Showrunner Sam Levinson has noted that Cloud's death deeply impacted the production and the creative direction of the series.