In 2006 the adult superhero comic book series titled "The Boys" was first published. Created by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, the premise of the series is to chronicle the adventures of the supe-hating sect of the CIA known informally as "The Boys". Led by Billy Butcher (Karl Urban; Dredd), The Boys' mission is to destroy the superheroes who seemingly have their own agenda and who may not be nearly as altruistic as they seem.
In 2019, showrunner Eric Kripke (Supernatural) transformed the anti-heroic group into a television series for Amazon. Starring Urban, Jack Quaid (Scream) as Hughie, the Billy Joel loving dork whose girlfriend was killed by A-Train (Jesse T. Usher; Shaft), Antony Starr (Wish You Were Here) as Homelander, the leader of the Supes who has an ego the size of Texas, Erin Moriarty (Captain Fantastic) as Starlight/Annie January, a female supe who has no idea who she is dealing with when she joins the 7, etc., The Boys is anything but your typical, superhero fare. An unethical, politically incorrect, depraved group, both the supes and the boys engage in underhanded, potentially illegal, warfare in their quest for control.
Originally intended to be a feature film, the property turned into a limited series that premiered on the streaming network, Amazon Prime, in the summer of 2019. Season two followed in September 2020 while Season three premiered in June of 2022. The debut of season four was delayed due to the writers' and actors' strike and the first three episodes will be available on June 13, 2024. A new episode will then air every week until the season finale on July 18, 2024. Kripke has already announced that season five will be the series' last.
As season three ended, Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles; Supernatural) and Maeve (Dominique McElligott; Leap Year) team up to kill Homelander but when Soldier Boy attacks Homelander's son, Ryan (Cameron Crovetti; Big Little Lies), The Boys, Annie and Butcher attack him instead. Homelander, manages to escape with Ryan after the two reconcile, and Butcher, who is terminally ill, is determined to extract Ryan from Homeland's clutches as per Ryan's mother's, Beeca (Shantel Van Santen; The Flash), wishes. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Victoria Newman (Claudia Doumit; Timeless), is vying for the vice presidential role while she is out to stop supes for good. Ironically, though very few people know it, she is a supe herself.
Kripe has never been one to pull his punches when it comes to The Boys and season four holds just as many questionable and bizarre moments as did the previous three seasons. There also seems to be quite a bit of tension growing between Starlight and Homeland supporters, which in some ways seemingly mimics many of the events currently occurring in the United States. Of course, The Boys wouldn't be The Boys without numerous curse-laden scenes and unique scenarios.
Amazon spares no expense with the production of this show and it pays off with audiences. From some of the goriest, bloodiest kills to the special effects of superheroes flying, running, and fighting, the regrowth of limbs, and the splitting of supes, every scene is well done and doesn't look cheesy. As with seasons past, there are also some new characters introduced, as well as, some great cameo appearances.
Fans can expect more of what they love about The Boys, with some new plot twists to keep things interesting in season four while paving the way for the final season yet to come. With the main cast and crew remaining intact, not too much has changed in the world of The Boys, yet almost everything seems somehow new and interesting.
Grade: B
The Boys premieres today, June 13, 2024, on Amazon Prime.
