Lexi's POV: Understanding the Cinematography In Euphoria S2E7
Well—that was a lot of drama. Euphoria Season 2, Episode 7 did not hold back when it came to exposing the characters, inducing a few tears, and most importantly, allowing the audience to understand Lexi’s (Maude Apatow) point of view.
Amidst all the dancing (Can we all agree that Ethan & Austin Abrams deserve a Tony Award for that?) and satire that Lexi embedded in her iconic play, the cinematography is what allowed the audience to see the world through her eyes.
Source: @maudeapatow on Instagram
The entire episode was set in a sort of distorted reality, constantly switching off and on between the past and present. In regards to the construction of this episode, Euphoria’s Director of Photography, Marcell Rév, says “we are trying to rely on a certain kind of realism throughout, and when it’s justified by emotions, then we depart from that realism.”
“Our Life” by Lexi Howard is about growing up and growing apart. The characters are based on the people in Lexi’s life including Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), Maddy (Alexa Demie), Kat (Barbie Ferreira), and Rue (Zendaya).
Source: HBO Max
The opening scene starts out at Rue’s dad’s funeral. Lexi walks into Rue’s room where she is seen snorting some of her father’s pain medication. She begins reading a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke about grief to her best friend.
This emotional moment is quickly shifted to the present time and suddenly you see warm lights flash while the camera moves backward. Pulling the audience out of the past, Lexi then appears on stage with Rue’s look-alike actress.
We have seen the funeral from Rue’s POV when she is reading her eulogy to her father. Of course, this day was absolutely heart-wrenching for the Bennets, but also the day that Lexi realizes she lost her best friend to drugs, which she points out in the play.
“I knew Jade had been doing drugs, but it wasn’t until that day, at her dad’s memorial, that I realized they were a greater comfort than I ever could be.”
Source: @maudeapatow on Instagram
The lighting of this scene is no mistake, and many of Lexi’s memories are in the same warm yellowish gold hues. However, when we are pulled out of her mind, or when the memories aren’t particularly happy, cooler tones such as blues and bright whites take over.
The scenes with her family are a prime example of this lighting juxtaposition. In Season 1, the audience only saw Mr. Howard the way that Cassie perceived him, which was an angel. However, Episode 7 gave us a taste of how Lexi was feeling at the time.
In the first Howard family memory, we see a young Lexi and Cassie about to get in the car with their drunk father. The lighting in this scene displays many cool tones as Cassie is seen wearing a blue outfit, resembling the sky—and also Lexi’s tears.
Source: HBO Max
At this moment, Lexi realizes the severity of the situation they are in. The sisters are driving home with their father who is clearly under the influence. Terrified, Lexi breaks down and drops her ice cream. Since this is a memory she was not particularly fond of, the lighting is not as warm as others—like the living room scene.
This happy moment between the family is shot in all gold hues. Smiles play upon both young Lexi and Cassies cheeks as they dance and sing around the living room with their mom and dad. However, once the camera recesses and the stage is revealed, the lighting quickly defers back to harsh hues, creating a clear division between the past and present.
Source: HBO Max
Another film tactic that creates a distorted reality in this episode is the quick and seamless transitions between time. As the cinematographer stated on Enter Euphoria after the episode, this was done meticulously. The TV and play audience are brought into an emotional scene and then quickly taken out by reality—and it definitely was a slap in the face for some of the characters.
For instance, Lexi shows her point of view of Maddy and Cassie’s friendship. While Maddy stays with the Howard family after her parents are fighting, you see how bonded the two really were. While Lexi lays awake in bed, Cassie offers Maddy to come and sleep with her so she can comfort her.
The camera then quickly pans to a door swinging open and in emerges Cassie and Maddy after Cassie’s betrayal. When the transition to reality appears on the screen, it is not only a wake-up call for the two girls, but it is a tactical way to deconstruct memories, which as Rév says is a big theme this season.
Source: HBO Max
Episode 7 was definitely a whirlwind, and the drama is not over yet. “Our Life” is to be continued and more and more of Lexi’s point of view will unfold. She has been a patient character, watching and waiting. As Sam Levinson says, “she is never in the middle of anything.”
The camera work played a major role in bringing this episode to life. The lighting, camera angles, and transitions create a blurred sense of reality—and it was absolutely genius. Though we are anxiously waiting for the finale all week, until then, we’ll still be reveling over how iconic Lexi’s play is thus far.
What is your take on the cinematography of this episode? Leave a comment below.