The first episode of Zendaya’s ‘Euphoria’ season 2 aired last night and critics are confirming that it certainly lived up to the actress’ claim that it was for “mature audiences” only, revealing it to be rife with drug use and “Abuse, predation, and bouts of self-harm.” Shortly before the series’ much-anticipated return, the ‘Spider-Man’ actress took to her Twitter to remind fans that the season would not shy away from adult content.
She wrote “I know i’ve said this before, but I do want to reiterate to everyone that Euphoria is for mature audiences.”
Zendaya Stated The Season "Deals With Subject Matter That Can Be Triggering"
“This season, maybe even more so than the last, is deeply emotional and deals with subject matter that can be triggering and difficult to watch.”
“Please only watch it if you feel comfortable. Take care of yourself and know that either way you are still loved and I can still feel your support.”
NME’s Rhian Daly agreed with Zendaya’s claim that season 2 would be more sinister than the last, however it certainly didn’t prevent Daly from singing its praises. The writer enthused “With a clutch of new episodes that are darker, tougher and more intense than ever, it’s well worth the wait.”
“Its teen subjects might start the new year off on a negative note, but it’s already setting the bar very high for TV in 2022.”
'The Hollywood Reporter' Praised Zendaya's Acting As She 'Continues To Excel'
The Hollywood Reporter’s Lovia Gyarkye was equally as impressed with the “More introspective and melancholic second season.” Gyarkye was particularly enamoured with Zendaya’s performance, attesting that she “Continues to excel…”
“Finding new ways to embody her character’s erratic shifts from elation to cruelty, insouciance to anger.”
Heaping praises on Zendaya further Lovia stated that her character Rue is what makes the series worth watching:
“Desperate, impractical, painful and pellucid, it reminds us that despite Euphoria’s effortful thrills and frills, the series is most worth watching for Rue’s journey.”
In contrast, while Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson praised the cast for their acting, he was not so complimentary of the series itself, deeming it “Too stylish for its own good.”
Elaborating on his stance, Lawson slammed the substance of the show: “Viewed in quick glimpses, Euphoria may seem an inventive, almost divine vision—who knew high school could look this beautiful? But the more you watch, the more the show’s aesthetic pretensions begin to grate.”
