Euphoria
Added 2022-07-12 06:08:43 +0000 UTCAny fans in the house? I don't watch a lot of tv, mainly because I don't have a lot of time or energy to devote to it. But I saw the pilot with someone who had been wanting my opinion on it. Perhaps I'm just feeling sentimental but, ugh man....too soon. haha. Ever watch something that hits a little too close to home to the point where it may not be healthy for you to watch it at present? I run into that issue on occasion, often in small ways but sometimes in big ways. But definitely had it with this one. Was a lot of different scenarios wrapped into one episode that were shoving my memories into the spotlight. It certainly captures a specific type of pain very accurately...in a sensory way. As in real life, when you have extreme depression and/or addiction, still serendipitous colorful things in life are happening all around you. But in that dire state, all that color bleeds into the pain, so it's a weird mix of stimulation and deadness ringing in your bones and tingling on your skin. The world slows down, becomes foggy, wigged out, and that's when you kinda check out. This show clearly exists right in that headspace. It's schlocky and it's sensational for sure, but also haunting at times. Gratuitous or meaningful? This remains to be seen for me. Worth checking out I think, but if you struggle with certain addictions or destructive tendencies, and the memories sit right below the surface, I might save it for when you're feeling removed from it. Cause it will ignite all those little temptations you work hard to avoid, with an authentic immediacy.
As a critic this has posed maybe one or two problems for me in the past: reviewing a film that involved a traumatic subject that I've experienced directly, or something similar. Depending on my headspace, sometimes it can be easy to remove myself. Other times it can be difficult. But I do my best to try and never let it show. Sorry if it's a personal question. Certainly you don't need to elaborate. But do you ever have a movie or tv show you've seen, where you didn't think you could watch it, not because it's bad, but simply due to the memories it evokes? If so, do you just avoid it all together? Or do you return to it if you think you're ready?
Comments
For sure, I can imagine that being extremely tough knowing what that film is about, at the heart of it.
Deepfocuslens
2022-07-13 23:55:24 +0000 UTCAbout 5 years ago, I was in my last year of high school and one of my best friends passed away in a car accident. The first time I remember being hit really hard by a piece of media relating to that was a rewatch of Stand By Me. In hindsight maybe it wasn’t the best idea to watch it so soon but I hadn’t seen it in years so I forgot the affect of it. The way the film ends on Gordie recalling Chris’s death and realizing that he’s never had friends like the ones he had when he was 12 floored me. Gradually I learned more about my own mental health and how to process grief, but I was in a really bad place after that watch and I don’t think I’ve rewatched it since.
Jackson Littlewood
2022-07-13 17:40:29 +0000 UTCI watched Euphoria right from the start after reading some negative response to the depraved lifestyles portrayed in the show. So I'd watch as it came out a few years ago. It's over the top for sure, and yet as it goes on there's something very tender and real about the drama. The special episodes that were made during COVID are near perfect and I offered them my highest rating on Letterboxd. Somatic response (triggering) to me is something I've spent a lot of time understanding and dealing with in my own life, in the form of intensive regression therapy as well as hypnosis and other forms of non-traditional therapies. I'm not sure that any film does this on a personal note for me, but I have been traumatized by a picture, in 2018 I was in a funk for three days after watching "Hereditary". I did have to do some "inner work" to neutralize the feelings. So much fear around my response to it that I read a bootleg script for "Midsommar" before going to see it in 2019. It's not exactly the same, but along the same lines.
Atticus Xey
2022-07-13 03:35:32 +0000 UTCYeah, I think anyone can relate to Rue just on the level of, having a problem that you can’t shake that’s now affecting your friends and family as well as yourself, and knowing you are hurting your friends and family just makes you feel even worse. It’s definitely a high school show done in A24 style, but … that works for me.
Jim Barnes
2022-07-13 00:44:22 +0000 UTCyeah sometimes it's so weird the things that trigger you and the things that dont. It all comes down to likely unconscious things we rarely pick up on. Weird how I have no problem watching a film like Requiem for a Dream, and the destruction in that doesn't really emotionally affect me much....yet for some reason this did. Who knows? Sometimes it gets easier and you can watch. I've been able to do that for sure, which can be nice. But certainly, if you don't feel up to it, then it's best to just ignore it.
Deepfocuslens
2022-07-13 00:34:48 +0000 UTCI did go ahead and watch more of it. It's artsy and trashy in the ways I enjoy. But certainly the scenes that are tough to watch, are tougher for those who get it, I guess. Though, I think for sure, anyone can relate to it, even if you've never done a drug in your life.
Deepfocuslens
2022-07-13 00:31:31 +0000 UTCyeah it's a fun show for sure. But yes, certain things about it area really tough to experience, which of course is the point.
Deepfocuslens
2022-07-13 00:30:12 +0000 UTCYeah I mean, it has a trashy arthouse feel that's kinda fun. Degrassi for adults really. But there is something hypnotic about it. And it captures a certain type of person in Zendaya, that is rarely depicted accurately.
Deepfocuslens
2022-07-13 00:29:30 +0000 UTCI know what you mean. At times I've watched films try to tackle taboo subjects that I know well, and it feels almost like a direct insult, when it's exploited. Though film is exploitation more often than not, and you are right that we all have that hypocrisy in us. But...some things we happen to know a thing or two about, and naturally, it gets to you. :/
Deepfocuslens
2022-07-13 00:28:10 +0000 UTCUnbreakable and Glass. This probably seems silly…. But I have the same condition that Samuel L Jackson has and I’ve never been able to watch those movies. I’m sure they’re entertaining but it bothers me that they’re the only (that I can think of) representation of people with O.I. and I know they’re painting people with the condition with a broad brush. Meaning there are varying degrees of the severity of it and people don’t understand that from those films, which I know is not the point of them. But I don’t like it being used for people’s enjoyment, which I realize is highly hypocritical of me because I know I’ve done the same with other things.
Danny Harvell
2022-07-12 18:03:03 +0000 UTCWhen I heard what EUPHORIA was about, I wasn't super interested. I'm also gen-X, so the themes just aren't my experience when growing up in the 70s and 80s. My high school years were about studying, programming my tiny personal computer (there was no internet of course), and watching Miami Vice once a week on TV... there was a lot of moments spent alone with my own thoughts, but I didn't mind it... my generation didn't have social media constantly pressuring us. Anyway, eventually I started watching EUPHORIA and I totally loved it. The acting is great, it's often very funny, and the show is a mandatory watch for its visual style, it's "TV" that's shot as well as the best movies. The two seasons have some striking differences. The first one was shot entirely digital (with amazing clarity), while the second one was shot entirely on film (old school grainy look). Season two was also entirely directed by the show creator, so it feels more focused, and it adds an arc about Cal Jacobs (Nate's messed up father), which added some variety. Last time I checked, it's not clear if/when they'll do a third season because of Zendaya's various commitments (Spiderman, Dune, etc).
FlyingWaffle
2022-07-12 13:39:53 +0000 UTCI have a similar reaction whenever I watch Euphoria. The first half of my high school years was dominated by some really tough depressive and suicidal moments including one hospitalization. I absolutely love the first season of the show (haven't seen the second yet) but I can't binge it cause it puts me in a headspace very similar to how I felt when I was going through that stuff in high school. The show really captures something for me of the late millennial/early Gen Z experience that I don't think any media has quite matched. It's beautiful and exciting but also fucks me up something special.
Tyler Shobe
2022-07-12 12:05:26 +0000 UTCI love Euphoria. Best show on TV, along with Succession. But I have the luxury of being older (in my 40s) and also not having had the same personal problems as the main characters. I’m just along for the ride. If you reacted strongly to the first episode, I would only caution that it doesn’t let up. I completely understand your point about things hitting too close to home. I am overweight, and I usually cringe whenever that is part of a storyline. It hurts too much.
Jim Barnes
2022-07-12 08:32:06 +0000 UTCThere's two recent examples for me. The first was when I saw Hereditary shortly after recovering from the death of my grandparents and the first half before the supernatural took over was too painful for me to get through. After the dinner argument scene, I was reminded of yelling at my mother while I was suffering depression. Even if I didn't hate the stupid ghost stuff which actually pulled me out of my downer mood and the film, I probably won't ever see it again. The second example is when I rewatched Welcome to the Dollhouse. I saw it for the first time in college and felt fine but when I bought it on DVD, again well after recovering from my grandparents, I was shocked by how much it triggered me when it didn't the first time although I'm curious to see it again to see if it'll hit me that hard again. Plus, it's a more consistent film. As you can probably tell, my feelings toward fiction that deals with emotional trauma realistically are more sensitive since I lost them. Critical thinking tells me any story that makes me feel like that deserves props for being brave enough to not shy away from the pain.
Wolfman Brandon
2022-07-12 07:25:21 +0000 UTC
