The $30 million gamble on The Idol

The Idol, a collaboration between Levinson, Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim,premiered in 2023 to considerable curiosity, given the acclaim for Euphoria's early seasons.

It starred Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn, a pop star entangled in a manipulative relationship with Tesfaye's character, Tedros.

The series was met with disdain for its graphic and repetitive depictions of sexuality and abuse,which many found exploitative rather than artistic.

An echo of Sydney's 2024 institutional buy-up

Euphoria's third season has drawn criticism from viewers and critics who argue that creator Sam Levinson has negatively influenced the show by linking it to his other widely panned series, The Idol .

This connection is seen as a symptom of a creative decline for Levinson,following the backlash and cancellation of The Idol, a show that faced intense criticism for its graphic content and reported behind-the-scenes conflicts.

The creator of Euphoria, Sam Levinson, faces significant criticism for his stewardship of the series, with many accusing him of derailing its third season by anchoring it to the controversial and poorly received show The Idol.

Behind the scenes of The Idol's collapse

Original director Amy Seimetz, who had completed a substantial portion of the series, departed the project.

The show was then shortened from six to five episodes, and Tesfaye reportedly objected to what he perceived as an overly 'female perspective,' demanding his character's prominence.

Levinson subsequently took over directing, reshooting much of the series. Insiders characterized the new vision as degrading,emphasizing 'sexual torture porn' and rape fantasy.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

Critics and audiences alike contend that Euphoria has strayed from its original appeal, a shift they trace back to Levinson's declaration that both series exist within the same narrative universe.

This connection has been widely seen as a misstep, coming after The Idol itself was canceled following a wave of viewer backlash that labeled it 'torture porn.'

The discourse often centered on the extensive nudity and the graphic scene involving Jocelyn's face .