The Unsettling and Gorgeous World of Euphoria
I’ve been wanting to watch Euphoria for the longest time, and finally sat down to see what all the hype was about. I must admit, I wasn’t expected what I saw. Every part of my being was attacked, every sense stimulated. Since the cult of UK's Skins, I did not witness something so raw and real, it’s almost offensive.
It’s hard to watch. But it’s what we need. Showcasing teenagers, their relationships with each other, as well as relationships with their parents in all their realness and ugliness, I think we need that.
I never saw the point in watching unrealistic romantic comedies showcasing the type of romance that doesn’t exist in the world today, escapism is fine; entertainment is made to escape our realities, but it’s such a double sword. We watch those unrealistic stories and we think that’s what love is, it shapes up our expectations, especially in its younger viewers. And sets us up for a failure.
I’m sure most of you are also tired of the same all: a guy and the girl lay eyes on each other, sparks fly, someone’s unattainable, someone chases after someone the whole entire movie, they chase each other to the airport; the end, life’s great. Where do we get that?
That is not real life.
Especially not the life - today. Times are messy, we are messy, no one cares about one another past the need for a bit of attention, no one puts any time or effort in relationships or even friendships, people are spiteful, jealous, and selfish; everyone loves what suits them, or as Charles said it much better than me: “You love what you need, you love what makes you feel good, you love what is convenient.”
Love really is a form of prejudice. Euphoria is hard to watch. Drugs, sex as a power play, sex as a tool, sex as inadequacy, and insecurities manifested as an act of aggression and transgression; it is real. It’s real life. It’s what teenagers of today going through.
It’s what most people are going through.
The character development in Euphoria is one of the best I’ve seen in a while. The way each character enters the episode, demanding a feeling out of you as a viewer; it’s a rollercoaster of examining your own life.
The character of a trans teen (in the series and the real-life), played by Hunter Schafer blew my mind. Not sure if I find her more impressive in her private life or in the series. The visual parallel the filmmakers used to showcase her connection with Jacob Elordi's Nate - a chilling must watch.
You won’t forget those images.
And mostly, Zendaya.
You know that moment when you first see someone in some whatever role and you just know they will be a powerhouse? Everything about this girl screamed powerhouse, years back. And now, in Euphoria, she fully arrived. Her sarcastic and - I can’t deal with this fucking world - narration while she sleepwalks through her daily routines, is truly legendary.
Euphoria. A subject, the emotions, plots, and visuals. As Vanity Fair called it: "Unsettling and gorgeous".
If you didn’t see it yet, you simply MUST. You won't forget it for a while.
