Does the finale of The Boys live up to expectations? (critical)

How does it end? Seven years after its launch, the anti-superheroic series has found its epilogue. Certainly frustrating for many fans. But more coherent than it seems.

Warning spoilers for the end of The Boys. If you haven’t seen the last episode, move on.

“I am your Lord, I am your Savior, I am your God.”

And there you have it. We got there: at the end of The Boys, Homelander sinks up to his neck in his Christ-like delirium, a bit like we imagined for five seasons. America’s omnipotent hero, drunk with his power, is ready to rule the world with an iron fist. Even if it means reigning over his ashes if necessary. Because the love of millions of followers will, ultimately, never be enough to quench his thirst for recognition. This Easter, Homelander is resurrected as an absolute tyrant… and only Butcher can stop him.

But the latest episode of The Boys, released today on Prime Video, will not be a big biblical battle à la Avengers: Endgame. We’re not at Marvel. We’re not at DC. Eric Kripke doesn’t want to destroy everything in a fireworks display of powers and bodies exploding in all directions. He categorically refuses the big spectacle in order to draw a more melancholic ending, centered above all on the duel between Homelander and Billy Butcher, the inevitable outcome of five seasons of hatred and obsession. Like monstrous reflections of each other, consumed by their desire for control and persuaded to act for the common good… No giant twist. No ultimate revelation. Just a brutal and deeply nihilistic conclusion to each of the characters’ arcs.

A laudable ambition, but damn frustrating. Because we have to admit: this finale is not very fun. He is even rather talkative, while theatrical outbursts and tearful speeches follow one another for the majority of these 65 minutes. The end of The Boys relies much more on emotion than on fighting. And that risks annoying more than one fan. Especially since the final fight between Butcher and Homelander, in the middle of the Oval Office of the White House, is cut short. No need for a virus, no need for the powers of Marie Moreau (the very secondary participation of the young Supes of Gen V will also leave a bitter taste for all those who followed the spin-off). Butcher and Ryan are finally enough to control this Homelander who has become immortal… Ok. So be it.

We would say that the series wanted to remain faithful to the cynical tone of its beginnings…

Homelander is finally deprived of his gifts thanks to Kimiko’s new power, before Butcher finishes him off with a crowbar. Then it’s Hughie who shoots Butcher as he was preparing to release the virus on Earth, to rid it of the Supes for good. “Fuck off, cunts!” indicates the epitaph engraved on his tombstone. Like a final middle finger from Eric Kripke to all the viewers. Because the end of a series is always divisive, by its very nature. Don’t you like this one? Too bad ! No fan service here. Until the end, the series will have assumed its identity. Boys will be boys.