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Euphoria fans stunned after major character is killed off in last-ever episode
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Fans of Euphoria were left completely stunned after the HBO drama delivered a devastating ending by killing off its central character in the show's final episode.
The season three finale sees Rue Bennett, played by Zendaya, die from an accidental overdose after taking Percocet pills supplied by Alamo that were unknowingly laced with fentanyl.
During the overdose sequence, viewers watch Rue experience an emotional dream-like reunion with Fezco, featuring previously unseen footage of Angus Cloud, who died in 2023 at the age of 25 following an accidental overdose.
Show's creator reflects on finale that has divided fans
The ending hit particularly hard for fans, given Rue's long-running battle with addiction throughout the series.
Speaking during HBO's post-show segment, creator Sam Levinson explained why he believed Rue's tragic fate was the right conclusion for her story.
"It felt like an honest ending," Levinson said. "The honest ending is people like Rue don't make it."
He added that the finale was designed to explore both addiction and loss. "I think in the end, I wanted to tell an honest story about addiction," he continued. "I also wanted to tell a story about grief and the emotional turmoil that it can create."
Levinson also revealed that Angus Cloud's memory played a significant role in shaping the finale. Reflecting emotionally on both the late actor and his own experiences with substance abuse, he claimed: "I wanted to tell the story for Angus and for people who weren't granted a second chance."
Meanwhile, Hunter Schafer, who portrayed Rue's on-again, off-again love interest Jules, paid tribute to Zendaya while discussing their time on the series together.
Schafer described the actress as her "soul mate" and said she felt incredibly fortunate to have had Zendaya as her first scene partner on the hit show.
Shortly after the finale aired, Levinson confirmed that season three would mark the end of Euphoria. HBO later announced there would be no fourth season, officially bringing the critically acclaimed drama to a close.
Fans have their say
Unsurprisingly, as they have done all season, fans of the show were quick to offer their judgment of Euphoria's conclusion, with it ultimately proving divisive amongst viewers.
One X user voiced their discontent, writing: "There was so many ways they could’ve ended euphoria and they chose the absolute worst one."
While another wrote: "Seeing people’s euphoria takes just makes it so abundantly clear that no one has critical thinking skills anymore lol"
Despite the subsequent division it has caused, for many viewers, Rue's heartbreaking death and the consequent tribute to Angus Cloud made for an emotional and unforgettable farewell to one of television's most talked-about series in recent memory.