HBO's Euphoria concluded its third season on May 31 with the finale "In God We Trust," attracting 8.7 million viewers. Despite strong viewership numbers, creator Sam Levinson confirmed the series is ending following a season that saw a sharp decline in critical approval.

The 8.7 million viewers who saw the series end

The series finale of Euphoria, titled "In God We Trust," successfully captured a massive audience during its debut. According to the report, the finale drew 8.7 million viewers across HBO and HBO Max within its first three days. This figure represents a slight increase from the season's premiere,which had 8.5 million viewers, and a notable 44% jump compared to the premiere of season 2.

Euphoria has reached massive global scales, averaging 25 million viewers worldwide during its third season. This represents a 17% increase from the average viewership seen during season 2. While the show remains a powerhouse, it did not quite reach the 9.7 million U.S. viewer peak seen by The Pitt season 2 finale, as reported by Variety.

A sharp drop to a 44% Rotten Tomatoes score

Critical reception for Euphoria season 3 has seen a significant decline compared to previous years. The third season earned a 44% Rotten Tomatoes score, which is a major departure from the 80% and 78% scores recorded for the first two seasons. Audience sentiment followed a similar downward trajectory, with scores plummeting to 38%.

The talented ensemble cast, including Zendaya, Maude Apatow, and Hunter Schafer, faced criticism for underdeveloped storylines. critics have panned the season as a disjointed collection of narratives that left the actors with little to work with. this disconnect between high viewership and low critical marks suggests a growing gap between mass audience consumption and critical acclaim.

Sam Levinson’s unexpected series finale announcement

Creator Sam Levinson has officially ended the series with the conclusion of season 3.. While earlier hints suggested the show might continue, Levinson announced that this season would serve as the final chapter. This decision follows a four-year hiatus that saw the show return to screens in April.

Who influenced the decision to end the series?

Several questions remain regarding the motivations behind the series' abrupt conclusion.. The report does not clarify whether the decline in critical scores influenced Levinson's decision to wrap up the show. Furthermore, it is unknown if the cast, including Zendaya and Hunter Schafer, had any input regarding the sudden end of their characters' journeys or if the "disjointed" writing was a deliberate creative choice.