The Boyscreator Eric Kripke has explained how Homelander’s god-complex will be “slowly driving him insane” in season 5, and how it will impact the story.The Boysseason 4 endedwith Homelander (Antony Starr) getting appointed by Speaker of the House-turned-President Steven Calhoun (David Andrews) to a new Supe-led task force, with martial law declared across the US. This newfound position of power is the highest he’s ever gotten, with the post-credits of the season finale showing him deciding to awaken Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles), hinting at what’s next in the final season.
Now,Varietyreports that, at an FYC panel hosted by SAG-AFTRA, Kripke explained howHomelander will still be dealing with his god-complex inThe Boysseason 5, stemming from his trauma which has now consumed him. The series creator explained how the antagonist will be wrestling with how “he wants to be a god, but he’s a man,” growing more obsessed with human needs like security and love, while also wanting to shed those ideals to make himself more powerful. Check out what Kripke had to say about his forthcoming development below:
He’s literally all trauma. I think what he plays so beautifully about it is he wants to be a god, but he’s a man. And it’s kind of slowly, or maybe not so slowly, driving him insane. So dealing with things like aging, dealing with insecurity, dealing with a need for love — all very normal human things, these are all things he finds detestable. He needs them, but he’s revolted by them all at once.
What Kripke’s Statement Means For Homelander In The Boys Season 5
He’ll Still Be Wrestling Against His Own Humanity
The Boysseason 5is going to see Homelander at his most powerful, with plenty of Supes at his disposal and his plan for internment camps for political dissenters. The titular team also won’t be able to stand in his way, as everyone except Starlight (Erin Moriarty) and a dying Butcher (Karl Urban) have been captured by Vought.Season 4 made it seem like he’d surpassed his humanityafter visiting the lab where he was tormented with experiments as a child. However, Kripke’s statement indicates this struggle will be ongoing into the final season.
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One obstacle to his attempts at circumventing his humanity might end upcoming from Soldier Boy, who, in season 3, belittled him and tried to kill him on Butcher’s behalf. While Homelander will be waking him up in hopes of making an ally, their past experiences don’t guarantee it will work out this way. On top of his loss of Ryan (Cameron Crovetti), who disappeared after accidentally killing Mallory (Laila Robins), and his inability to stop aging,getting belittled by his biological father could make him revert back to the struggles of humanityhe wrestled with during season 4.
Our Take On Homelander’s Continued God-Complex In The Boys' Final Season
His Actions Could Bring The Story To A Head
It’s possible that, as Homelander gets more wrapped up in his god-complex, he ends up taking drastic measures in order to prove he’s overcome his human nature.This could involve any number of catastrophes now that he’s leading the charge for martial law in the US, and because of his powers being unrivaled by almost every other Supe under his command. WithThe Boys' final season growing ever closer, it should prove interesting to see how his humanity will develop, and if he truly can cast it aside for good.
The Boysseason 5 is set to premiere on Prime Video in 2026.
The Boys
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The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
