Euphoria

What’s it about?

Kicking off five-years since the last episode, season 3 of Euphoria follows Rue and her friends navigate the complexities of adulthood. No longer in high school, the returning characters struggle with the pressures of relationships, work, identity and faith in their early 20s.

The facts

• Created by Sam Levinson (The Idol)
• Starring Zendaya (Challengers) Hunter Schafer (Cuckoo), Jacob Elordi (Wuthering Heights), Sydney Sweeney (The Housemaid) and Coleman Domingo (Michael)
• Predominantly English language with a little bit of Spanish
• Runtime: There are six episodes which are approximately 59 minutes per episode. Episodes are released weekly with episodes seven and eight to come.

Why did it get this rating?

This series was self-rated by Neon. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Euphoria is known for its over-the-top, explicit imagery intended for shock-value and high-impact. Themes exploring substance abuse issues, crime, sex and trauma continue into season 3 and may be disturbing to some viewers.

Sexual violence

There is a brief conversation about an older man recording and having sex with a teenage girl.

Sex scenes and nudity

The series contains frequent sexual content. This includes explicit and sometimes rough sexual acts between characters, nudity, topless dancing, masturbation and the use of sex toys.

There are several storylines that revolve around sex work, including references to OnlyFans, “sugar babies”, “pimps”, as well as scenes shot in strip clubs.

There are visual depictions of characters recording and uploading sexual content of themselves online, including “fetish” content. Characters discuss how much money they make from sex work.

There is a scene depicting a sex worker engaging in rough sex with a group of men.

Drug use

Drugs are a common occurrence in the series, and characters are frequently using, smuggling, and referencing different types of drugs including cocaine, fentanyl, ketamine and “party” pills. There are characters involved in organised crime, drug wars and drug trafficking.

Some characters smoke cigarettes and marijuana, drink and act drunk. Characters snort cocaine off other character’s body parts. Characters are shown swallowing fentanyl packets and the physical consequences, including drooling, retching, and excretion. A character dies of an overdose and is shown foaming at the mouth.

Graphic and bloody violence

There are frequent and close up shots of graphic violence throughout episodes 1-6. Characters are brutally beaten and shot. There are bloody scenes where a character has their pinky toe and one of their fingers cut off in an act of revenge. Another scene shows someone getting shot in the stomach and blood splattering across the room.

Content that may disturb

There is content that may disturb throughout the show. A pig is shown defecating on camera. Some characters identify as Nazis, and swastika imagery is prevalent.

There are some scenes where animals are harmed. A pig is shot in the head and blood splatters everywhere. A pet bird is poisoned and drops dead. There is a close-up shot of a character severing a chicken’s head.

Offensive language

There is a lot of strong language used casually, as insults and for intensity, including “f**k”, “f**king”, “s**t”, “b***h”, “ass”, “pu**y”, “hookers”, “ni**a”, “ret**d”, and f*gg*t.

Helplines:

The sexual and violent content could be upsetting for some viewers, especially for those who have gone through similar experiences. If you are struggling with what you have seen on-screen please reach out for help. If you or someone you know needs to talk:

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• You're in control with parental controls. Our helpful guide to tools available in New Zealand | Classification Office
• Talking with young people about what they’re watching | Classification Office
• Euphoria | Season 1 | Age Rating and Content Warning | Classification Office
• Euphoria | Season 2 | Age Rating and Content Warnings | Classification Office