Zendaya’s portrayal of Rue Bennett in Euphoria is captivating. She shows the truth behind the darkness and ugliness of addiction through her brilliant performance. She takes us through Rue’s demons more than ever before. Zendaya’s ability to alter moods within a split second is one of many reasons why she is Emmy-worthy.
Season 2 of Euphoria has given viewers some of Rue’s best scenes through the vulnerability and intentionality Zendaya brings to each episode.
Laugh In The Face Of Danger
In the season 2 premiere, Rue goes with Fez and Ashtray to get drugs from a new dealer. One of the most chaotic scenes leaves Rue being chocked by one of Laurie’s associates. After the incident, Rue excitedly recaps the moment in the car. She’s more impressed by meeting a female drug dealer than concerned about being physically assaulted. Fez is annoyed by her nonchalance about the situation.
If viewers thought Rue would be sober for season 2, they were highly mistaken. Zendaya clearly demonstrates that Rue is still struggling with sobriety. She laughs while in dangerous situations and is detached from reality.
Call Me Irresponsible
Zendaya has a background in dance, and she shows it off in the “Call Me Irresponsible” number she does in episode 3. The song is fitting to Rue’s character, who is irresponsible, unpredictable, and impractical. After Zendaya showcases her dance skills, she becomes a teacher who provides lessons on how to be a functional drug addict through manipulation.
Zendaya brings humor and disconcertment to the scene. One moment she’s dancing across the room. In the next, she's having a shouting match with her sister. Gia has seen Rue at her lowest point and tries to hold her able, but it’s impossible with Rue being a pro at gaslighting. Zendaya can highlight the complexity of mental health issues and addiction through the range of emotions she delivers.
Crossed Lines
Rue has a heartbreaking moment with her sponsor, Ali, in episode 3. Ali often sees through Rue’s façade and truly accepts her whether she’s sober or not. This scene shows that Rue prioritizes drugs over her relationships. Ali asks Rue what’s in her suitcase, and in return, she insults his parenting. Ali once vulnerably shared information about the strained relationship he has with his two daughters with Rue. Rue ends up using this against him.
This is an emotional season for Rue. In this scene, Zendaya shows that she can easily switch it off. She’s apathetic towards Ali and intentionally hits below the belt. There’s an emptiness in Zendaya’s eyes that can only be illustrated through talent.
Emotional Rollercoaster
Episode 5 is a highlight reel of Zendaya’s acting. In the episode’s opening scene, Leslie accuses Rue of doing drugs. Rue is highly defensive. Leslie reveals that Jules told her everything. This creates an explosion of emotions as Rue processes that her mom threw away the drugs she’s supposed to be selling. She turns her anger towards Jules and Elliot before agreeing to get help.
Zendaya delivers a compelling and emotionally exhausting performance for 15 minutes. Her portrayal of the intensity of addiction is breathtaking. She displays anger, fear, sadness, disbelief, and embarrassment all in one scene. Zendaya drives Rue through her erratic and unpredictable behavior with such high velocity that it makes it uncomfortable to watch.
You Know I'm Tired
In episode 4, Rue enters a high that reminds viewers of the endless yearning for her father. Rue hallucinates walking out of her room and into a church where Labrinth is singing, “I’m Tired.” Labrinth embraces Rue, and the scene interchanges from them to her father hugging her. At this moment, we know that this is all Rue wants. Her battle with grief and despair is amplified in a trance. The saddening scene ends with a lonely Rue swaying, holding on to no one.
This scene brings it back to the beginning and gives a view into the origin of Rue’s downward spiral. Zendaya captures dissociation incredibly well. We see Rue struggling with what she desperately wants throughout the episode, and this final scene creates a heartbreaking moment for fans. Zendaya expresses regret and how catastrophic grief can be for one person.
Just Take It One Day At A Time
During the family/friends’ intervention, Cassie offers the advice, “just take it one day at a time.” Everyone thinks that’s a brilliant idea, except for Rue, who turns and asks Cassie how long she’s been having sex with Nate. This sends Maddy into a rage, and Rue uses the chaos to escape.
Zendaya brings a bit of comedy to an extremely dark scene. The line delivery was unexpected and unconventional. Zendaya exposes the destruction addiction can cause with one line. Zendaya told Thrillist that she tried to display addiction’s impact on a person’s loved ones. “Everyone becomes a victim to it, and I think it’s important to acknowledge that and to show how it affects people deeper than you really understand.
Desperate Measures
Rue goes to extreme lengths while chasing a high. As a last resort, she goes to Laurie in desperation. Laurie suggests that Rue should sell her body in exchange for money and then injects Rue with Morphine. Rue sinks into the bathtub and dreams of her father’s funeral.
Zendaya delivered a painful performance for viewers to understand what it feels like to go through withdrawal. The agony that is demonstrated builds empathy for the character. This is rock bottom for Rue, and Zendaya doesn’t hold back as she strips away any pride Rue might have left.
Jolly Rancher
Rue’s symptoms peak in episode 6. The episode opens with Rue struggling to unwrap a jolly rancher. She’s crying and snotting over the dining room table. Leslie hopes to get her into a rehab facility as soon as a bed is available. The scene takes us through the pain and remorse Rue is going through.
The scene is hard to watch. Zendaya presents the physical and emotional experience of withdrawal. Her hands shake while trying to open up a piece of candy. She struggles to walk, demonstrates cold sweats, nausea, and body aches. Her chilling performance helps fans recognize the pain the character is navigating and is one of the moments viewers feel bad for Rue.
The Eulogy
The show flashbacks to Rue delivering the eulogy at her father’s funeral. While crying, she shares the words, “This is the part where the character never recovers. The part where life takes them down. This is the scene that scars them forever.”
Zendaya does a brilliant job of conveying Rue’s sadness. There’s a sense of stillness as she displays the beginning of a turbulent journey. Fans who have experienced loss can relate to the desperation and sorrow that Zendaya depicts. Zendaya has the ability to connect with viewers just by using her voice.
Something Beautiful
The season concludes with a touching moment between Lexie and Rue. Rue tells Lexie that her play was the first time she could look at her life and not hate herself. They connect through the loss of their fathers. After the rollercoaster of a season, this provides a heartfelt moment for viewers. Rue reflects on her journey and explores her relationship with grief by reconnecting with her best friend.
Zendaya shares that this scene was important for everyone. “I know it was painful for me, and I think it got to the point of, we can't leave her here. This can't be the end of her story. There has to be some hope at the end of this. Something beautiful at the end of all this pain," Zendaya told Entertainment Tonight.