After seven years, three seasons, and countless twists, Euphoria has concluded with a devastating finale that has left fans shattered. The HBO series, created by Sam Levinson, aired its final episode, In God We Trust, revealing the death of protagonist Rue Bennett (Zendaya) from an accidental overdose.
A Tragic Ending for Rue
In the season three finale, crime boss Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) gives Rue spiked fentanyl disguised as a painkiller. After a dream sequence, viewers see Rue lying dead on a sofa. Her death is a tragic end for one of television's most heartbreaking characters. In her final moments, she reunites with her mother, Fezco (Angus Cloud), her father, and her high school sweetheart Jules (Hunter Schafer) in a poignant imaginary sequence. Meanwhile, her friend and mentor Ali (Colman Domingo) takes vengeance by killing Alamo in a showdown.
Fan Reactions
Fans took to social media to express their grief and shock. One user wrote, "My heart is shattered into pieces." Another said, "Zendaya what an actor you are!!!! She managed to completely convey life leaving her body and peace of being in her father's arms again." However, some criticized the ending, with one commenter stating, "We watched Rue suffer nonstop, have very little good happen to her, only to pass away in the end is the definition of anticlimactic and stupid writing!" Others defended the choice, noting, "Rue was never making it out of this story alive."
Creator Sam Levinson Defends the Dark Twist
Creator Sam Levinson previously addressed the show's dark direction, saying, "There's this kind of funny thing where I know what the audience wants in terms of justice or karma and with that in mind, I always think: 'Well, how can I give it to them? How can I give them what they want, but make it so horrific and anxiety-inducing that by the time it happens, the audience isn't so sure they wanted it?'" His words proved eerily prescient as Rue's death unfolded.
The finale also follows the brutal death of Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) in the previous episode, further cementing the show's unflinching tone. Euphoria is available to stream on NOW, HBO Max, and Sky.
