THE BOYS: SEASON FIVE
Starring: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Laz Alonso, Jessie T. Usher, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukahara, Chace Crawford, Nathan Mitchell, Cameron Crovetti, Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry, Colby Minifie, Daveed Diggs, Jensen Ackles, and Giancarlo Esposito
Creator: Eric Kripke
AMARÚ
The Boys’ fifth season being written before November 2024 is simultaneously hilarious and scary. Showrunner Eric Kripke has clearly been disgruntled with reality because this final season is even less subtle than its already idiocratic reputation, but that doesn’t make it any less poignant. This season continues its consistently excellent run since its 2019 release, the action still bombastic, the acting on point, the storyline relevant, the surprises refreshing, and the satire as outlandishly gory as ever. Kripke’s send-off landed the plane with predictable but well-played endings that surprisingly felt more abrupt than rushed. It was a good run to a great show that I felt satisfied with through its finale.
NICK
If you take away the superhero aspects, The Boys is a frightening look into the possibilities an unstable and maniacal leader can introduce. Apt. The final season looks at good and evil on a spectrum as it questions how far is too far while maintaining the series' signature violence and humour. After an underwhelming role in Season Four, Jensen Ackles' Soldier Boy is better utilized here while Karen Fukuhara's Kimiko finally gains her voice to great results. That said, it was clear it was time to end things as the season showed some diminishing returns as it made its way to a somewhat lacklustre finale.
ADRIANO
I adore The Boys, but I have to admit, they’re ending at a good time. Not only has reality lapped this series, but its initial novelty might have worn off. Honestly, for the first few episodes of the final season, I feared it had run out of steam as it went in narrative circles, but it was still entertaining and sporting its reliably great cast (Antony Starr NEEDS that Emmy). Thankfully, it eventually got on track, getting me both excited and scared for the finale. So while I’m sad to see it go, I’m glad it’s going at the right time.
PAIGE
Oi, I’d be lying if I said this final season of The Boys wasn’t a bit rocky. The storytelling felt messy and unfocused, as at times it seemed more set on building momentum for the upcoming spinoff series, Vought Rising, than serving as a grand finale to the central conflict between Homelander and The Boys that the series had been building towards. That said, at its core, it still delivered the brutality and sadistic humor fans have come to expect and love. Overall, the final season was somewhat predictable and underwhelming, but at least the show gave its characters a proper send-off.
ROBERT
I remember when the narrative on Eric Kripke’s Supernatural was that it was intended for a five-season arc, which was perfect. Its popularity portended many, many more seasons, and that show overstayed its welcome. When it was announced The Boys would end after five, I figured Kripke and Amazon had learned a lesson, but they didn’t, since three seasons were the plan. This final go-round was not without charm and laughs, and the conclusion was satisfying enough, but it buckled under the weight of expectation. I wish some characters and threads weren’t given short shrift, but it happened enough to elicit one common reaction: oy vey!
KATIE
The impact of this season of The Boys is accidentally exacerbated by its worrying proximity to reality. It confronts the danger of unquestioned authority and highlights the insidious way fascist ideals can slowly infect and then maintain a grip on a society, whilst still maintaining its signature dark satire and comically intense violence. Antony Starr is thrilling as Homelander, especially in those terrifying moments where he is pushing the limits of barely suppressed insanity. However, I found the last few episodes oddly paced and slightly dull, as if they were just going through the motions of setting up the finale, which was unsatisfying and predictable.
