Zendaya’s new HBO show Euphoria gives a raw look at high school life

Euphoria, which is a remake of an Israeli show of the same name and whose ensemble cast also includes Storm Reid, Maude Apatow, Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, and Algee Smith, is about, “a group of high school students as they navigate love and friendships in a world of drugs, sex, trauma, and social media,” according to HBO’s description.

Euphoria is incredibly well done and I think the social commentary on exposure for the post 9/11 babies is something we largely ignore. In the first 5 minutes we see images of class room lockdowns, kids being medicated for ADHD, etc. This generation has been forced to deal.

The show gives so much exposure to the crap that the generations before them have created. And we’ve become so desensitized to seeing truly violent things (school shootings, young people being killed) and we are shocked that they use drugs and other mechanisms to cope when they have no Other outlets to escape to. And we are so quick to say “they have no reason to do these things” but we ignore mental health. We would be fools to believe that these young people aren’t dealing with a the same problems we faced 4.0 edition. This world hasn’t been the kindest but all they are trying to do is figure it out the best they can. While I think Euphoria is incredibly well produced, shot, and acted, and it is. It is a real glimpse into what this generation has had to grapple with. And if it’s not your cup of tea, I respect that.

It is incredibly triggering, even if you aren’t part of that generation. And if it’s that rough, protect yourself and don’t watch. Zendaya very wisely posted an IG precaution. But don’t think that this show is going to “corrupt” the youth because it isn’t.

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Check out some reactions to the new series:

Just watched euphoria with my son ( he’s a hs senior ) and he said that was a pretty accurate display of life in 2019 #EuphoriaHBO #imold pic.twitter.com/g5htgkwZSi

— Scott in R. Bernardo (@ScottH19) June 17, 2019

not to be lame but literally every time tv can accurately convey anxiety it makes me cry lol rue saying “i felt safe in my own head” has me tearing up #EuphoriaHBO

— mads (@madstvwriter) June 17, 2019

Wow euphoria blew me away, I knew it was gonna be good but wow I'm shocked! The acting and the storyline is so perfectly real!!! I cannot wait to see the rest of the season😍😍😍 A black woman leading the show with a trans actress is iconic asf! #Euphoria #EuphoriaHBO pic.twitter.com/vcReeSBspn

— Ash🩸 (@_ashleygale) June 17, 2019