‘Euphoria’ Creator Sam Levinson Justified Major Character’s Death as the Most Brutal Reality Check

Creator Sam Levinson declared that Rue Bennett's death in the Season 3 finale was the most brutal and honest conclusion for “Euphoria,” a shocking twist that left fans reeling.

In a post-finale HBO interview, Levinson stated, “people like Rue don’t make it.” This stark admission follows the tragic demise of Angus Cloud, who played Fezco and died at 25 in July 2023.

Levinson’s motivation to kill off Rue stemmed from a desire to honor Cloud and reflect the harsh realities of addiction. “People relapse. They f—k up. They’re not ready to get clean,” he said, emphasizing the need for unfiltered storytelling.

Rue’s accidental overdose mirrored Cloud’s real-life struggles, culminating in a devastating scene that aired Sunday night. The character ingested laced pills from Alamo Brown, portrayed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, during the episode titled “In God We Trust.”

Cloud’s character appeared in Rue’s death sequence, intensifying the emotional weight of the moment.

Levinson elaborated on Rue’s journey, stating, “Rue is kind of going back through her life.” He described a poignant flashback at an old convenience store where Fezco worked, showcasing their bond through previously unused footage.

“I thought, oh, it’d be great to use that footage and just see him again—and see the two of them,” Levinson explained, revealing his intent to address the impact of fentanyl on youth.

He lamented the current drug landscape, stating, “When I was growing up and doing drugs, sure, you could O.D. on something, but it wasn’t like it is today where you make one wrong move and you’re dead.”

In the HBO after-show segment, Levinson expressed certainty that he wouldn’t have survived his youth in today’s environment filled with fentanyl.

Zendaya reflected on her role as Rue, calling it a “pleasure and an honor” during an emotional farewell to the crew. “I just want to say, thank you,” she expressed, acknowledging those who witnessed her growth since the show’s inception.

Rue’s death followed Jacob Elordi’s character Nate Jacobs’ gruesome end in the previous episode, heightening the stakes for remaining characters.

Other original cast members like Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie Howard and Hunter Schafer’s Jules Vaughn survived the series’ brutal narrative.

Levinson hinted at Season 4 rumors in his Esquire interview, stating he approaches each season as if it could be the last but hasn’t officially closed any doors.

If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).