Sam Levinson is once again scrutinized while “EuphoriaThe third season of ‘s’ is drawing backlash due to its increasingly provocative tone.
While HBO’s success has long been attributed to Levinson’s creative vision, online critics are now questioning what he “uniquely” brought to the series, with some saying the show’s impact was due more to its casting than its creator.
The renewed debate comes as viewers take issue with the notable increase in explicit scenes this season.
Fans Question Sam Levinson’s ‘Euphoria’ Impact After Season 3 Starts
After four years of waiting, “Euphoria” Season 3 finally aired earlier this month, but instead of universal praise, the response was noticeably muted.
The lukewarm reception has sparked a new wave of debate around creator Levinson, with some fans now wondering what he actually brings to HBO’s success beyond the performances of his stars, including Zendaya, Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney.
On Reddit, a widely shared post denounced what it described as increasingly questionable creative choices, including graphic themes, fetishistic elements and the handling of female characters. The post then asked a pointed question that is now gaining traction among viewers, saying, “What are some iconic things from ‘Euphoria’ that can be attributed to Sam Levinson?”
Others credit Levinson with the fundamental identity of Euphoria
Although critics have dominated much of the conversation, not everyone agrees with the growing skepticism surrounding Levinson’s role in “Euphoria.”
The Reddit thread quickly filled with counterpoints from fans who argued that the series’ success could not be separated from its creator. In fact, several users pointed out Levinson’s unique position as the show’s sole writer.
“For better or worse, he is the sole author. Any storyline or quote/dialogue that has become iconic was written by him. Everything about a character that resonates with people, beyond his appearance and the way he delivers his lines, was written by him,” another user noted.
Provocative Season 3 Shift Fuels New Criticism of Sam Levinson
Beyond the creative credit debate, Levinson has also been criticized for what many viewers see as a sharp increase in provocative content in Season 3 of “Euphoria.”
Much of the criticism has focused on Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie Howard, whose storyline veers into the explicit as she ventures into creating adult content.
Viewers have been particularly concerned about the framing of some of these moments, arguing that the series relies too much on shock value. On social media, critics accused Levinson of blurring the line between storytelling and sensationalism, with some saying the creative direction risked becoming exploitative.
Sydney Sweeney’s Backlash Intensifies Over ‘Euphoria’ Scenes
The conversation wasn’t limited to just Levinson. Sweeney also faced criticism from some viewers who questioned his decision to take increasingly explicit scenes in season 3.
However, her past comments suggest that she is fully comfortable with the creative process. In a 2022 interview, the actress made it clear that Levinson never pressured her to do anything she didn’t agree with.
“There were times when Cassie was supposed to be topless, and I would say to Sam, ‘I don’t really think that’s necessary here.’ He said, ‘Okay, we don’t need it,'” Sweeney recalled, according to the Daily Mail.
She also once said that she encouraged Levinson to lean more into her character’s already heightened emotional state. This decision may help explain the more extreme direction Cassie took in the final season.
Sam Levinson Breaks Silence on Controversial ‘Euphoria’ Dog Scene
🚨Cassie’s first scene in Season 3 of “Euphoria” shows her trying to become famous on social media while wearing a dog outfit and drinking from a dog bowl.
Patti Page’s “(How Much is) That Doggie in the Window” plays on this scene. pic.twitter.com/kivBVZCeOg
— ‘EUPHORIA’ Season 3 (@euphoriacentral) April 10, 2026
After remaining largely silent amid the backlash, Levinson at least addressed one of the most talked about moments of Season 3, the scene in which Sweeney’s character has her hair done like a dog.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Levinson explained that the scene was never meant to exist solely to shock, but rather to highlight a deeper layer of absurdity in Cassie’s storyline.
“[Cassie] has his dog house and his little dog ears and his nose, and that has its own humor,” he said. “But what makes the scene is the fact that it’s his housekeeper filming it.”
Levinson added that the intention was to take viewers out of the character’s fantasy, rather than immersing them completely in it.
