Clever Title Sequences Inspired by Chemistry for Breaking Bad Euphoria & Chernobyl: A visual essay
- Liz Publika
- Apr 9, 2022
- 1 min read
Updated: Jan 3
by Liz Publika
Breaking Bad (2008 -2013)
The Breaking Bad opening is an 18-second blast of green chemical smoke, periodic-table lettering, and Dave Porter’s tense, twangy theme. “Br” and “Ba” with atomic numbers form the logo and credits, tying the series identity directly to chemistry. Dirty greens and jaundiced yellows evoke meth labs, money, and poison. Smoke drifts, gradients shift, and names appear like they’re burned from the fumes, all timed to the music’s final hit. Gilligan kept it short, sharp, and instantly recognizable.
Euphoria (2019-present)
The Euphoria opening is minimal: most episodes just flash “EUPHORIA” over a scene instead of a full main-title montage. Creator Sam Levinson and cinematographer Marcell Rév treat every episode as a flowing, subjective visual experience through Rue’s eyes, so a long title would break the emotional continuity. The title card acts like another graphic in the scene, timed to music, lighting, or emotional beats. Its appearance shifts subtly across episodes, following the show’s dreamy, expressionistic style while staying rooted in character feeling.
Chernobyl (2019)
Chernobyl skips a traditional main-title sequence, using stark title cards and simple typography to maintain documentary-like realism. Episodes open directly on narrative action with overlaid credits, keeping focus on events and characters rather than branding. The logotype, based on a Soviet-era typeface like Zhurnalnaya Roublennaya, is plain and slightly awkward, evoking official documents and signage. This restrained design reinforces the show’s bleak, procedural tone and constant sense of dread.
Note* The cover image is available via Fair Use.