As Euphoria approaches its third season finale on HBO, actress Sydney Sweeney is facing intense scrutiny over her character Cassie's increasingly explicit storylines.. While fans criticize the show's direction, Sweeney was recently seen in New York City with music executive Scooter Braun.

The 40% Rotten Tomatoes rating marks a sharp decline

The critical reception of Euphoria has undergone a dramatic transformation during its third season.. According to the report, the series has seen its Rotten Tomatoes score plummet to 40%, a stark contrast to the 80% and 78% "fresh" ratings enjoyed by the first two seasons. This decline suggests that the show's increasingly unconventional narrative path is alienating the core audience that originally propelled the series to success.

This shift in sentiment comes at a precarious time for the HBO production as it heads toward its highly anticipated finale. The drop in critical standing reflects a growing divide between the show's creative ambitions and the expectations of its viewership.

Python scenes and "humiliation rituals" fuel viewer backlash

Viewers have expressed significant outrage over the depiction of Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie, in recent episodes. The controversy centers on highly sexualized and unconventional sequences that many have found difficult to watch . Specifically, the backlash has focused on:

  • The use of a yellow python in highly sexualized sequences
  • Scenes involving character costumes, such as dressing as a baby or a dog
  • The exploration of adult content creation and fetish scenarios

    • Critics have gone as far as to claim that creator Sam Levinson has "lost the plot," describing the current narrative direction as a "humiliation ritual" for the show's female characters. Many viewers have labeled these storylines as both humiliating and misogynistic, questioning the artistic merit of such extreme depictions.

    Scooter Braun’s defense of Sweeney’s "provocative" roles

    Amidst the professional turbulence, Sydney Sweeney has been seen mainaining a high-profile personal life in New York City. The 28-year-old actress was recently spotted on a date with 44-year-old music executive Scooter Braun, where she wore Christian Louboutin stileto heels and a sleek black plunging dress. Braun has publicly voiced his support for Sweeney's acting choices, notably duriing an appearance on the "Second Thought" podcast hosted by Suzy Weiss and The Free Press.

    While Braun did not name Sweeney directly during the podcast, he praised the performance of a "certain actress," emphasizing his respect for her professional dedication. As reported by the source, a contact close to the couple confirmed to Page Six that Braun has no reservations about her provocative roles, viewing them as integral to her craft and affirming the strength of their relationship. Their romance reportedly began in June 2025 following a wedding attended by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez.

    Will Sam Levinson address the "lost the plot" criticism?

    As the season three finale prepares to air on HBO and Sky Atlantic, several questions remain regarding the future of the series. It is unclear whether the upcoming episode will provide a narrative resolution that satisfies critics or if the show will continue down its current provocative path . Furthermore, while the relationship between Sweeney and Braun appears to be a significant part of the actress's current public profile, it remains to be seen how the intense scrutiny of the show's themes will impact the cast's long-term privacy. Will the series find a way to reconcile its artistic ambitions with the growing demand for more respectful character portrayals?