Euphoria and the Romanticization of Toxic Relationships

Throughout the series, Jules and Rue have expressed incredibly toxcity within their relationship. Source: Euphoria Instagram

There are a number of shows and movies in Hollywood that romanticize toxic relationships and friendships. From Miss Congeniality, where Sandra Bullock’s character is not deemed as good enough until she has a “transformation” to The Devil Wears Prada, where Anne Hathway’s character is brought down by her boyfriend repeatedly just for being successful.

These have all been films continually romanticized for years, with many not really seeing the toxic moments within them. 

HBO’s Euphoria does just the opposite. While yes, many fawn characters like Nate Jacobs and Maddy Perez, the show continues to make a point to viewers not to romanticize the friendships or relationships within the series.  

Specifically Rue, played by Zendaya, and Jules, played by Hunter Schafer, have one of the most toxic relationships of the season. The two started as best friends which then spiraled into a complicated romance. The relationship was no stranger to turbulent patches littered with drugs, alcohol and deceit. While many viewers were rooting for the pair, the relationship is one that should be left broken.

One of the biggest factors leading to the end of the relationship had to do with never never being honest with each other. In season two, Rue continued to lie to Jules about doing drugs, which led Elliot and Jules to reveal this big secret to Rue’s mother. Rue even blames Jules for her relapse. In episode five of season two, Rue accuses Jules of abandoning her at her lowest, forcing her to fall back on drugs to fill that missing void. 

Jules is not so innocent either. Additionally, Jules cheats on Rue with Elliot. Whether it be out of anger and frustration, or because she genuinely begins to like Elliot, she keeps this all a secret from Rue. 

While viewers watched these scenes in pure shock at the toxicity spewing out of their relationship, this is an unfortunate reality for many. 

The statistic is frightening: one in three young people will be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship during some part of their lives. While some watch these Euphoria episodes wondering why Rue and Jules even want to stay in such a hostile relationship, only those who have been in one can truly understand. Unfortunately for the two girls, they are currently living in an enemies to lovers type romance repeatedly: breaking up, rekindling, fighting and breaking up, and then the cycle continues. 
In a number of other Hollywood shows, this type of relationship would usually end with some sort of happy ending for the two. But if Euphoria is to continue down its usual path of violence and complications, there may never be a simple break up or rekindling for the two.