In the premier episode of Euphoria's third season, which aired this week, Sydney Sweeney's character Cassie once again became a focal point after appearing in a provocative scene wearing a plunging brown bodysuit as part of a stylised, dog-themed setup.
It has since emerged that Sweeney was more open to filming the daring lingerie scene after incorporating pieces from her own collection, Syrn, Page Six reports.
Blurring the Line Between Character and Brand
In the episode, the actress wears a £200 one-piece, the 'Date Night Satin Corset', during a scene with her on-screen partner, Nate, played by Jacob Elordi.
The look is styled with a lace corset, wrist cuffs, a leash collar, and a headband with dog ears, adding to the scene's provocative, stylised tone.
The storyline follows Cassie as she attempts to gain attention online, including filming a social media video in which she mimics a dog, drinking from a water bowl, and crawling on all fours.
Her character is portrayed as a restless California housewife engaged to Nate, who turns to platforms like OnlyFans to fund an extravagant wedding.
At one point, Cassie tries to justify the idea, gesturing to her corset and suggesting the brand could sponsor her, framing it as a form of 'monetization'.
'I could not find a top that made me feel hot without being too much', she explained. In her line, she shared that she was inspired by the corset the designer made her and wanted to bring it into a commercial piece.
Sydney added that she hadn't seen anyone make commercial corsets of the types she wears on carpets. It comes after Euphoria were up in arms over a controversial clip featuring Sydney dressed as a 'sexualized child'.
The news foresees more Syrn product placements in Season three of the HBO show.
Viewer Backlash and Divided Reactions
Not all viewers were convinced by the direction of the storyline, with some taking to social media to criticize the scenes as 'degrading' and unnecessary, as per The Sun.
Several reactions quickly gained traction online, reflecting the discomfort among parts of the audience. One viewer questioned whether the scene was even real, expressing shock at how Sweeney's character was portrayed in the latest season of Euphoria.
Another criticized the actress's involvement, suggesting the scene felt more like humiliation than storytelling. A third reaction argued that the character's arc had been reduced to shock value, raising concerns that such scenes overshadow meaningful development and could ultimately undermine perceptions of her role.
While the responses vary in tone, they underscore a broader divide among viewers, between those who see the series' provocative approach as intentional and those who believe it has gone too far.
Critics have tagged the scene 'sick' and 'vulgar', with some fans now calling for a total boycott of the show. 'We shouldn't be okay with this... the entire production should be held responsible for this abhorrent mess', ranted a fourth.
Season three of Euphoria raises the stakes with darker twists and heightened drama, as Cassie continues to grapple with love, deep-seated insecurities, and increasingly self-destructive choices.
