Euphoria and the meaning behind Rue’s relapse and drug abuse

By Victoria Cucchia Published: January 7th, 2024

What is the HBOMax’s hit show?

The hit show that hit HBOmax is ‘Euphoria‘. It’s an American adaptation of the Israeli show of the same name, “Euphoria” follows the troubled life of 17-year-old Rue, a drug addict fresh from rehab with no plans to stay clean. 2 time Emmy Award Winner Zendaya plays the main character ‘Rue‘. It not only circles around her life, but many others. Including- Maddy Perez, Nate Jacobs, Cassie and Lexi Howard, Jules Vaughn, and many more.

Euphoria does a terrific job showing and glorifying Rue’s drug addiction. Every scene has a meaning behind it which myself, finds very interesting. Her drug addiction doesn’t just circle around her, but to those around her, most importantly her family. I have studied her from Season 1 up until now and I feel the need to show what they mean.

The meaning behind Rue’s glitter tears

As seen in the show, anytime Rue is under the influence of drugs she always has glitter tears under her eyes. “What could that mean?” I asked myself that question every single time it happened. I started to study it more and more as the each episode went on, and I do have a theory. When Rue doesn’t take drugs she is feisty, angry, and has severe anxiety, the world she lives in is not something she wants. But once she does take it, she is happier more calmer, and sees the world she dreamt of. Now every single time she took drugs in season one she says, “I’m so happy” while the glitter tears fall under her eyes. Which symbolizes all the weight and unhappiness unleashing because there’s nothing to stress about anymore. She’s happy.  But it can also represent the painful and disappointing aspect of growing and facing all the problems that she is facing in her life alone.

“All for us” video (season 1 finale)

The music video(which is also shown at the end of the season 1 finale; sung by Labrinth and Zendaya) is possibly one of the greatest things I’ve seen. The symbolisms shines right through and its a very gut wrenching thing to watch. Especially if you know what Rue has been through in Season 1 and her backstory. I’m here to break it all down.

From 0:00-0:14 it shows Rue lying on her bed while the song is playing. At 0:15 she is shown getting up from her bed. This means she is awakening of her relapse. At 1:25 Rue is now with a group of people who has her lifted. This symbolizes her anxiety rushing through and knowing that drugs was the key way to help fight it. At 1:44 Rue is seen getting away from the crowd. She is trying to escape from what’s about to happen. At 1:58 it is shown people following her and circling around her. The drugs follow her wherever she goes. Even if she tries so hard to escape it. They’ll never leave. At 2:10 she is being thrown side to side. She is question whether to fall back or to try and stay clean. At 2:30 she is seen climbing on the people which means she is climbing up to her old habits. 2:44 shows Rue standing looking around singing, “When I go disappear, into that good night” meaning she is ready to “feel good again”. And finally at 2:53 Rue falls off, meaning she relapse. The old cycle starts again.

Season 2 Episode 4

In season 2 Rue is just a hot mess. She is taking much harder drugs and everything seems to be falling apart for her. But what caught my attention was the new episode from last week. “Did Rue just die?” I questioned myself as the episode cut to the end. But why would anyone think she died considering she IS the main character and narrator for this show. But let me break it down.

Rue is seen sitting on the floor of the bed after she took some pills(which are NOT prescribed to her). Suddenly she sees a white light flashing in her direction. She gets up and walks towards the light. And usually if someone is close to entering Heaven- God is waiting for you to enter and he’s calling your name. As we watch her go toward it she is now in a Church surrounded by people including her friend Elliot and her girlfriend Jules. Rue is seen struggling to walk towards the singer and he welcomes her with open arms. Rue runs into his arms and starts crying. The next scene flashes to her and her father dancing in a room filled with sunlight. Rue’s father did pass away and Rue struggled with that. Rue kept saying, “I’m sorry I let you down. I just missed you so much.” At this point I do believe that she overdosed and felt sorry that she let her father down. But is happy she is with him at this moment. Shot by shot is her saying, “I love you, I love you…” which cuts to multiple people. It is unknown if she passed, but what I know and have the knowledge of, she overdosed. Hopefully the outcomes are completely different because I do want Rue to understand that this isn’t okay.

If you or a loved one are struggling with Drug Abuse the hotline number is, 1-800-662-4357 and Euphoria has a website also for anyone who is struggling, https://www.hbo.com/euphoria/resources