Review: HBO's Euphoria Season 3 returns with Sydney Sweeney — visually stunning but confusing

HBO's hit series Euphoria has returned for its third season, delivering the same visual spectacle as before but with a storyline that leaves viewers puzzled. Reviewer Karmen-Eliise Märtens notes that nearly every episode raises more questions than answers. The season features Sydney Sweeney in a striking new role.

HBO's acclaimed drama series Euphoria has made its long-awaited return with a third season, and according to reviewer Karmen-Eliise Märtens, the show remains as visually captivating as ever — while its narrative takes some deeply baffling turns.

Märtens writes that the new season continues the show's trademark aesthetic brilliance, with lush cinematography and bold visual choices that made earlier seasons so distinctive. However, the story unfolding across the new episodes has been prompting repeated brow-raises of confusion with each passing episode.

The third season features Sydney Sweeney in a role that has drawn significant attention, with the actress reportedly taking on an unusual and provocative character arc. The show has never shied away from shocking its audience, and Season 3 appears to be continuing that tradition — for better or worse.

Euphoria first premiered on HBO in 2019 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, praised for its raw portrayal of teenage drug use, identity, and trauma. Seasons one and two starred Zendaya in the lead role of Rue Bennett, and the series built a devoted global fanbase drawn to its cinematic style and emotionally intense storytelling.

Whether Season 3 manages to balance its visual ambitions with a coherent and compelling story remains to be seen as the season progresses. For now, it seems the show is keeping viewers watching — if only to figure out what on earth is happening.