The Boys Season 4 review: Butcher's superpower finally gets revealed

Just like all the other episodes, The Boys Season 4 finale had viewers at the edge of their seats. Butcher finally comes to terms with the voice in his head (Joe Kessler) and starts acting like there is no tomorrow. The finale features the revelation of Butcher's superpower- he has tentacles strong enough to tear down supes, let alone human beings.

The revelation scene played out after a lot of mental manipulation that both Butcher and Victoria had to go through. Butcher was tired of trying to be the nice guy and Victoria did not want to be Homelander's puppet and would do anything to save her daughter. So she came to Hughie to secure herself and her daughter but Butcher entered as a wild card in the scene and obstructed the deal.

His deep-seated hate for supes finally came into play when he got his tentacles out from his chest, held Victoria, and tore her down in two pieces. Thankfully, her daughter escaped the travesty but Hughie and the Boys were left in a deep state of shock by what they just saw.

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The Boys Season 4: Homelander's ruthless ascendancy

The Boys Season 4 (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

The episode opens amidst the tension of an electoral process which quickly becomes a backdrop for Homelander’s latest power play. Antony Starr continues to be chillingly effective in playing Homelander, capturing a man who has lost all semblance of humanity in his quest for power.

Here Homelander maneuvers the political environment with sinister precision instigating a purge at Vought International to eliminate any dissent which is a strategic consolidation of power and a disturbing display of how far he is willing to go.

Homelander’s actions are a grim reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and Starr’s performance eerily resonates with the current global political climate making it both relevant and terrifying.

The Boys Season 4: Ryan’s dark evolution

One of the most crucial moments is Ryan’s tragic killing of Grace Mallory which is instrumental in showing Ryan's descent mirroring his father's darkest traits. The young actor Cameron Crovetti delivers a powerful performance that captures the internal conflict of a boy torn between his innate morality and the corruptive influence of his lineage which is set as a climax to Ryan's character development but also a major plot device that propels the story towards an even darker path.

The Boys Season 4: The hunt for power

As Homelander and his cronies tighten their grip on power, the political landscape shifts dramatically with Calhoun’s swift ascent to the presidency, backed by Homelander's machinations.

The installation of martial law under Calhoun's administration is a critical juncture in the series because it shows a complete takeover of the government by the Supes. The development is unsettling as it unfolds with a chilling efficiency putting up the show’s critique of power dynamics and authoritarianism.

The Boys Season 4: Desperate measures of the vigilantes

The final episode of The Boys Season 4 also focuses majorly on the Boys themselves who are caught in a seemingly hopeless situation. Their desperation is palpable as they attempt to flee the country each member grappling with their circumstances.

The scenes at the airport are particularly well-executed with a blend of tension and despair. The capture of Hughie and MM by Homelander’s forces is a testament to the far-reaching power of the antagonist leaving the Boys fragmented and vulnerable.

The Boys Season 4: Annie’s flight

Amidst the chaos, Annie’s storyline stands out as a beacon of hope because Erin Moriarty’s portrayal of Annie breaks free from capture to save Hughie. Her flight from the airport escaping the clutches of Homelander’s regime symbolizes a physical and a moral escape.

From a cinematic perspective, the episode is a masterpiece of visual storytelling. The directors employ a mix of tight close-ups and expansive shots to enhance the emotional intensity and scope of the plot.

The pacing is relentless, driving the story forward with each scene building on the tension of the last and lastly, the screenplay adeptly interweaves the personal trials of the characters with the broader socio-political commentary maintaining a balance that is provocative and engaging.

Thematically the episode goes deep into the corruption of power and the erosion of democratic ideals in the face of tyranny. The show continues to leverage its hyperbolic plot to reflect real-world issues making bold statements about heroism, villainy, and humanity which hints to a climactic new season ahead.

You can watch the The Boys season 4 grand finale on Amazon Prime Video.

Edited by Sreerupa Das