By the end of Sunday night’s explosive series finale, creator Sam Levinson delivered the bleakest chapter of the HBO young adult series’ run, closing the story with the death of a major character and an ending already dividing fans online.
The 93-minute finale, titled “In God We Trust,” officially ended the series after three seasons. The episode revealed that Rue Bennett, played by Zendaya, dies after ingesting fentanyl-laced pills left for her by crime boss Alamo Brown, who had grown suspicious of her cooperation with the DEA. Levinson later described the decision as “the honest ending” for Rue’s addiction story.
Rue’s death arrived just one week after the shocking loss of Nate Jacobs, played by Jacob Elordi, who died in the penultimate episode after being buried alive and suffering a fatal rattlesnake bite. The finale also killed off Laurie and Alamo, bringing the season’s sprawling criminal storyline to a bloody close.
Season 3 took a dramatic turn from the show’s high school roots, jumping five years into the future and focusing heavily on organized crime, addiction and Rue’s dangerous role as an informant caught between rival drug operations. The darker direction became one of the season’s most debated creative choices.
As for the surviving characters, Cassie and Maddy ended the series living together after Nate’s death, while Lexi distanced herself from the chaos and turned toward religion. Ali, devastated by Rue’s fate, ultimately avenged her death by killing Alamo before attempting to rebuild his life. Jules remained largely on the margins during the final season, a choice that sparked criticism among viewers.
The finale immediately triggered backlash and debate across social media, with some viewers praising the tragic realism of Rue’s ending while others argued the series abandoned hope in favor of shock value. HBO later confirmed that Season 3 serves as the official conclusion to Euphoria, ending one of television’s most talked-about and polarizing dramas seven years after its debut.