As Euphoria continues its exploration of complex and often controversial topics, Season 3 has sparked intense debates among viewers, particularly with the portrayal of sex work in Episode 2. While the show has long been known for its gritty and provocative take on teenage life, drugs, and relationships, this episode delves into sex work with a tone that some fans find cynical and gratuitous, yet simultaneously mocking.

The episode begins with the character of Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie), who has taken on a role in talent management, though her methods are far from conventional. Maddy’s new business involves promoting influencer Katelyn, a character who bears a striking resemblance to Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney). Maddy encourages Katelyn to engage in risqué pinup photo shoots, eventually turning her into an OnlyFans model. As the storyline unfolds, Maddy’s manipulative tendencies become clear, as she turns her ex-best friend Cassie into a potential target for exploitation.
This subplot plays on the fan theory that Maddy would take revenge on Cassie for stealing her ex-boyfriend, Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi). While the portrayal of Maddy in this role is designed to provoke, it also introduces the troubling concept that Cassie, desperate for attention and validation, is all too easily manipulated into participating in a form of sex work, first as a pinup model and then as an adult baby in front of her creepy followers. The episode makes no attempt to soften the exploitative nature of this transition, painting Cassie as the “ideal” type of girl to exploit due to her vulnerability and lack of direction.
Rue (Zendaya), who serves as the show’s narrator, adds another layer of commentary, describing Cassie as “exactly the kind of girl you’d dream of signing.” This reinforces the narrative of Cassie’s desperation, highlighting her lack of agency and reinforcing the idea that she is the perfect victim for Maddy’s manipulation. While Rue’s narration provides insight into Cassie’s psyche, it also frames the situation as one of mockery rather than genuine concern for her character’s well-being.
Cassie’s journey into sex work is a disturbing turn for her character, one that sets her at odds with Nate. His reaction to her newfound career path is telling: at a gathering he hosts to persuade his friends to invest in his business, Nate privately tells Cassie to delete her OnlyFans account, citing concerns over his reputation. Cassie agrees, but with the condition that Nate covers the $50,000 flower arrangements for their wedding. The exchange shows the transactional nature of their relationship and the deep-rooted power dynamics at play. Nate, who struggles with his own financial issues—revealed through his debt to a man named Naz—is forced to comply, further underscoring his emotional manipulation of Cassie.
Meanwhile, Rue’s subplot takes an even darker turn. In Episode 2, Rue finds herself embroiled in a situation involving drug lord Laurie (Martha Kelly), from whom she owes $100,000. However, Rue’s debt is seemingly wiped clean when Alamo Brown (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), a dangerous drug kingpin and pimp, steps into her life, offering to pay off her debt in exchange for her work at his strip club, Silver Slipper. Rue’s role is menial at first, cleaning toilets and distributing drugs to the dancers. But it’s clear that she is being drawn into a much darker world.

One of the dancers at the club, Angel (Priscilla Delgado), becomes Rue’s primary focus as she struggles with the grief of losing her best friend, Tish, to an overdose. When Angel spirals into addiction, Alamo presents himself as a benevolent figure, offering to pay for her rehab, though Rue’s skepticism grows. When she accompanies Angel to rehab, the facility’s indifferent receptionist and lack of proper procedures raise red flags. Rue’s suspicions are confirmed when she begins to question the true nature of the rehab facility, which might not be as much of a safe haven as it initially appeared.
The depiction of Rue’s involvement with Alamo and his strip club is one of the more troubling aspects of this season, as it highlights the commodification of women’s bodies and the way they are exploited for profit. Rue’s new role in this dangerous world, working in a strip club, feels less like an opportunity for growth and more like a further descent into chaos and self-destruction.
The episode also continues the trend of using graphic, and at times uncomfortable, imagery to depict sex work. Scenes with Angel show her engaging in sexual acts for money, while Cassie is shown performing for a camera in humiliating positions. The camera lingers on their bodies, focusing on details like the ice cream dribbling down Cassie’s chest, or close-ups of coke on Angel’s breasts, which raises questions about the show’s motivations. It’s hard to ignore the fact that these portrayals might be meant to shock the audience, but they also raise ethical concerns about the voyeuristic lens through which the characters are viewed.

This season’s depiction of sex work in Euphoria does not offer much in terms of compassion or understanding for the women involved. While characters like Angel and other dancers are portrayed as complex individuals trying to make ends meet, the show’s framing of their lives feels exploitative. The women in these storylines are often reduced to their bodies and their sexuality, and the narrative seems to treat them as both victims and objects of fascination for the audience.
Furthermore, the show seems to be unclear in its messaging about sex work. On one hand, it critiques the superficiality and objectification that often comes with it, while on the other hand, it leans into the shock value of these portrayals. There’s a fine line between depicting something as uncomfortable or provocative to challenge societal norms, and using it as a spectacle for entertainment. It’s difficult to discern whether the show is attempting to criticize the exploitation of these women or whether it’s simply capitalizing on their trauma for dramatic effect.
Jules (Hunter Schafer) also reappears in this episode, though her life has taken a different turn. She now resides in a luxurious apartment, funded by her sugar daddy. This arrangement, while not explicitly framed as sex work, hints at the transactional nature of Jules’ relationships, with her finances tied to the wealthy married man who supports her lifestyle. Jules’ interaction with Rue is brief but significant, as it highlights the distance between the two characters. Rue, still reeling from her addiction and the darkness surrounding her life, contrasts sharply with Jules, who seems to have found a measure of success, albeit through questionable means.
The juxtaposition of these characters’ experiences in the world of sex work, from Cassie’s desperate attempts to gain validation to Rue’s cynical resignation, paints a bleak picture of the choices these women make in a world that seems determined to use them. Euphoria season 3 is not pulling punches when it comes to its portrayal of addiction, exploitation, and self-destruction. But whether the show’s exploration of these themes will lead to a meaningful critique or just further sensationalization remains to be seen.
For now, Euphoria continues to be a provocative, divisive, and, at times, uncomfortable watch—one that challenges its audience to confront the darkest corners of human experience, all while indulging in the spectacle of it. Whether the show will ultimately find a more thoughtful approach to these issues remains unclear, but for now, viewers are left with more questions than answers.