The $30 million gamble on The Idol has left Euphoria creator Sam Levinson facing backlash from critics and viewers alike.

The Idol's Toxic Legacy

The 2023 series,starring Lily-Rose Depp as troubled pop star Jocelyn, was pulled off air after outraged viewers branded it 'torture porn' due to its graphic depictions of sex and violence.

Even a brief Euphoria crossover couldn't save the series, with fans disappointed when Euphoria's Alexa Demie made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in the first episode as a nightclub reveller.

Sam Levinson's Creative Direction

Insiders alleged to Rolling Stone that the show was almost completely reshot in order to give it less of a feminine outlook, with Pet Sematary actress Amy Seimetz directing around 80 per cent of The Idol before she left the project.

The series was then cut from six episodes to five, with The Weeknd reportedly feeling that The Idol had an excessively 'female perspective' and wanted the plot to give his character more attention than Lily-Rose's .

Open Questions and Unverified Claims

What exactly was the extent of The Weeknd's involvement in reshooting the seriies? Did he have a say in the final prroduct, or was it entirely Sam Levinson's vision?

Additionally, how much of a role did Lily-Rose Depp play in defending Sam Levinson's creative choices, and did her statement to E! News reflect her true feelings about the series?

The Euphoria Conundrum

The hit HBO series has taken a drastic direction, leaving fans and crtiics questioning its creative choices.

With the third season of Euphoria receiving a mixed response, it's clear that Sam Levinson's experiment has left a lasting impact on the show's audience.