Sam Levinson is once again under the microscope as “Euphoria’s” third season draws backlash for its increasingly provocative tone.
While the HBO hit has long been credited to Levinson’s creative vision, online critics are now questioning what he has “uniquely” brought to the series, with some arguing the show’s impact has been driven more by its cast than its creator.
The renewed debate comes as viewers take issue with a noticeable spike in explicit scenes this season.
After a four-year wait, Season 3 of “Euphoria” finally premiered earlier this month, but instead of universal praise, the response has been noticeably muted.
The lukewarm reception has sparked a fresh wave of debate around creator Levinson, with some fans now questioning what he actually contributes to the HBO hit beyond the performances of its breakout stars, including Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney.
On Reddit, one widely shared post called out what it described as increasingly questionable creative choices, including graphic themes, fetish-driven elements, and the handling of female characters. The post went on to pose a pointed question that is now gaining traction among viewers, saying, “What are iconic things about ‘Euphoria’ that can be credited to Sam Levinson?”
Others Credit Levinson For ‘Euphoria’s’ Core Identity
While criticism has dominated much of the conversation, not everyone agrees with the growing skepticism around Levinson’s role in “Euphoria.”
The Reddit thread quickly filled with counterpoints from fans who argued that the show’s success can’t be separated from its creator. In fact, several users pointed to Levinson’s unique position as the series’s only writer.
“For better or worse, he’s the sole writer. Any storyline or quote/dialogue that’s become iconic was written by him. Anything about a character that resonates with people, beyond what they look like and how they deliver lines, was written by him,” another user noted.
Season 3’s Provocative Shift Fuels Fresh Criticism Of Sam Levinson
Beyond the debate over creative credit, Levinson has also come under fire for what many viewers see as a sharp increase in provocative content in “Euphoria” Season 3.
Much of the criticism has centered on Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie Howard, whose storyline veers toward the explicit as she ventures into adult content creation.
Viewers have taken particular issue with the framing of some of these moments, arguing that the show leans too heavily into shock value. On social media, critics have accused Levinson of blurring the line between storytelling and sensationalism, with some claiming the creative direction risks turning exploitative.
Sydney Sweeney Backlash Grows Over ‘Euphoria’ Scenes
The conversation hasn’t been limited to Levinson alone. Sweeney has also faced criticism from some viewers who questioned her decision to take on increasingly explicit scenes in Season 3.
However, her past comments suggest she has been fully comfortable with the creative process. In a 2022 interview, the actress made it clear that Levinson never pressured her into doing anything she wasn’t on board with.
“There are moments where Cassie was supposed to be shirtless, and I would tell Sam, ‘I don’t really think that’s necessary here.’ He was like, ‘Okay, we don’t need it,’” Sweeney recalled, per the Daily Mail.
She also once said that she encouraged Levinson to lean further into her character’s already heightened emotional state. That move may help explain the more extreme direction Cassie takes in the latest season.
Sam Levinson Breaks Silence On Controversial ‘Euphoria’ Dog Scene
After largely staying quiet amid the backlash, Levinson has at least addressed one of Season 3’s most talked-about moments, the scene in which Sweeney’s character is styled like a dog.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Levinson explained that the scene was never meant to exist purely for shock value, but rather to highlight a deeper layer of absurdity within Cassie’s storyline.
“[Cassie] has got her dog house and her little dog ears and the nose, and that has its own humor,” he said. “But what makes the scene is the fact that her housekeeper is the one filming it.”
Levinson added that the intention was to pull viewers out of the character’s fantasy, rather than fully immerse them in it.