Let’s talk about Nate Jacobs. Yeah, the guy from Euphoria who makes you wonder if he’s secretly a villain, hero, or just a mess of a person who doesn’t know how to deal with himself. It’s a wild ride, and if you’ve ever thought, “What’s the deal with this guy?” then buckle up. We’re diving in.

Anyway, here’s the kicker: Nate doesn’t start off as the classic “bad guy.” He’s just a high school quarterback with a lot of bravado, surrounded by friends, a pretty girlfriend, and the illusion of having it all together. But trust me, the deeper you get into Euphoria, the more you realize: this dude is a walking catastrophe.

Nate Jacobs: The Perfect Jock with a Dark Side

When Nate first enters the scene, it’s all sunshine and roses—or so it seems. He’s the golden boy of East Highland High, strutting around like he owns the place. Maddy, his girlfriend, is practically glued to his side, and everything about him screams “top of the social ladder.” But here’s where it gets tricky. Like, super tricky.

There’s this whole mask Nate wears, one that’s held up by toxic masculinity, a shaky sense of self-worth, and a whole lot of control issues. It’s almost like the guy’s trying to prove something with every move he makes. And spoiler alert: He’s not just messing with Maddy. Nah, he’s got some deep-seated daddy issues too. That’s where it gets messy. More on that in a sec.

Nate’s Family: The Dysfunctional Core of His Struggles

So here’s the lowdown on Nate’s family situation. His dad, Cal Jacobs? Not a great guy. You know how they say “like father, like son”? Yeah, well, Nate takes after Cal in ways that are… well, let’s just say not ideal.

Cal’s got some secrets—like, big secrets. He’s living a double life, and Nate’s whole world comes crashing down when he realizes that his dad’s got some major skeletons in the closet. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill skeletons, either. We’re talking major psychological baggage here.

Now, imagine being Nate Jacobs—he’s trying to hold it all together while watching his father spiral. It makes sense that he’d internalize this behavior, right? Suddenly, Nate’s obsessed with power, control, and suppressing any emotion that doesn’t fit the “manly” mold. It’s like he’s holding everything together with duct tape and denial.

• Power Plays: Nate’s big on power. Power over his friends. Power over Maddy. Power over himself (though that one’s slipping).
• The Dad Issue: Cal’s secret life hits Nate like a ton of bricks, and boom—Nate decides to double down on the whole “macho” thing. You can almost hear the gears grinding in his head: “If Dad’s messed up, I need to be the man. Toughen up. Don’t let anyone see weakness.”

Maddy and Nate: A Toxic Love Story

Oh, Maddy. Bless her heart. If you’ve seen Euphoria, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Maddy Perez, Nate’s girlfriend, is stuck in this web of emotional manipulation and confusion, and it’s painful to watch.

Here’s the thing about Nate and Maddy—at first glance, they look like the perfect high school power couple. But the reality? Not so much. Their relationship is a trainwreck from the start.

The Destructive Nature of Their Relationship

It starts with Nate controlling everything. I mean everything.

• Emotional Games: Nate manipulates Maddy with the precision of a master puppeteer. He isolates her, feeds her insecurities, and makes her think she needs him. It’s wild how he can twist her feelings to serve his own needs.
• Violence, Physical and Emotional: And let’s not even get started on the violence. Nate doesn’t just yell—he’s a physical threat. We’re talking full-on intimidation, and Maddy? She stays. I know, right? It’s the kind of toxic love that’s hard to break free from, and honestly, it just gets worse from there.

Fast forward past three failed attempts to break up, and Nate’s grip on Maddy tightens, despite everything. It’s a mess. A painful mess. But here’s the real kicker: even when Nate’s at his worst, Maddy still loves him. That’s what makes this whole thing so tragic—she’s stuck in it.

Nate’s Struggle with His Sexuality: More Than Meets the Eye

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Nate Jacobs’ internal struggle with his own sexuality? Major plot point. The dude’s got a ton of issues, and this one is no exception.

Remember that moment when Nate discovers his dad’s real life? Yeah, that’s a game-changer. Nate goes into full denial mode, trying to push down any feelings that don’t fit into his vision of what it means to be “manly.” And what’s worse? He’s terrified of being perceived as weak or anything other than what he’s been taught to be.

Nate’s Internal Conflict

Nate’s fear of being weak? Yeah, that’s because he thinks any hint of softness or vulnerability will ruin his reputation. Which is a shame because it’s clear as day that he’s struggling. You can almost hear him thinking, “No way am I going to turn out like my dad.” So, he goes to extremes—controlling his relationships, suppressing his emotions, and generally spiraling out of control.

It’s a toxic mix. And when you throw in the pressures of being the “golden boy” in high school? Well, let’s just say Nate Jacobs is trying to outrun a tornado that’s already hit.

• Fear of Exposure: Nate’s so scared that someone will find out the truth about his feelings and identity that he lashes out at anyone who gets too close.
• The Cycle of Denial: You can almost see the hamster wheel spinning in his brain. Deny. Deny. Deny. It’s almost tragic to watch.

Nate’s Obsession with Jules: Control and Manipulation

Okay, so let’s talk about the time Nate went full villain-mode with Jules Vaughn. You remember Jules, right? She’s the trans girl who’s been through a lot herself, but Nate? He sees her as another target for his control issues.

• Surveillance Mode: Nate, in classic form, becomes obsessed with Jules. He spies on her, films her secretly, and manipulates situations to assert control. It’s creepy and borderline sociopathic.
• The Confrontation: Eventually, Nate corners Jules, and it gets intense. This is a moment where we realize Nate isn’t just emotionally abusive—he’s downright dangerous.

His actions towards Jules are a clear manifestation of his inability to handle any vulnerability. It’s about power. It’s always been about power.

The Downfall: Nate’s Destructive Path

By the time we hit the season finale, Nate’s world is crashing down in every direction. His relationships are fractured, his emotional state is beyond repair, and he’s been exposed for the person he really is. But here’s the thing: Nate doesn’t get an easy redemption arc. Nope. Not even close.

The damage is done. He’s burned every bridge he’s crossed, and now there’s nowhere left for him to hide. It’s almost heartbreaking, in a way.

Nate Jacobs: A Cautionary Tale

Nate Jacobs is a tragedy wrapped in a jock’s uniform. It’s easy to dismiss him as just a “bad guy,” but his journey is a harsh reminder of the toll toxic masculinity, family trauma, and emotional repression can take on a person. His inability to express vulnerability, his obsession with control, and his need for validation lead him down a path of destruction.

So yeah, Nate Jacobs is a mess—but you can’t deny that his journey in Euphoria is a painful and complicated one. By the end, we’re left with a broken man who might’ve had the potential to be better—but it’s too late.