The Boys Season 4: Review and Critical Feedback

Contents:

• The plot lines of the series "The Boys"
• Reasons for the loss of audience interest in "The Boys"
• How has the perception of the series among viewers changed?
• The shortcomings of the fourth season: what went wrong?

The fourth episode of the acclaimed show "The Boys" debuted on June 13, 2024, and received a mixed reaction. Critics expressed enthusiasm for the new season, while viewers expressed their dissatisfaction, which led to a drop in the audience rating on the Rotten Tomatoes platform to 54%. This decrease amounted to more than 20 percentage points compared to the third season, while previously rating fluctuations were usually within 7-9 points per season.

Many viewers believe that the creators of the series have deviated from the plot and began to discuss political issues too actively. But is this really true? Let's figure it out in this article.

In this text, you will get information about the following:

• The plot of the series "The Boys" takes place in a modern world where superheroes, possessing incredible abilities, do not always behave nobly. Instead of serving the good of humanity, they often indulge in selfishness and corruption. The main characters are a group of ordinary people who decide to confront these complacent heroes and expose their dark sides. At the center of the narrative are Kim and his friends, who, driven by a desire for justice, face powerful opponents. This conflict between moral principles and the impunity of superheroes creates tension and forces viewers to think about the nature of power and responsibility. The series is saturated with dark humor and criticism of modern society, which makes it relevant and interesting to a wide audience.
• how it alienated viewers;
• Reasons for the change in audience perception.
• Season four has several flaws that could affect viewer perception. Firstly, some viewers noted that the storylines have become less engaging and predictable compared to previous seasons. Secondly, the character development sometimes feels unconvincing, which may be disappointing for fans accustomed to deeper and more developed characters. Also, some critics point to a lack of narrative momentum, which makes viewing less exciting. Furthermore, the number of episodes could be optimized, as in some cases they drag on and lose tension. Overall, these aspects may affect the overall impression of the season.

The Boys Storylines

Ten years ago, the superhero genre in cinema seemed doomed to constantly reproduce itself. In these films, good always triumphed, with old heroes making spectacular comebacks and beloved characters who had survived their deaths unexpectedly returning to life in sequels.

For the genre to function in this vein, elements of camp must be preserved. This is precisely why absurd catchphrases and brightly colored tights are used: they help the viewer temporarily suspend their disbelief and enjoy the plot. It immediately becomes clear: "Superheroics don't take themselves seriously, and neither should I."

Over time, audiences began to tire of artificial elements in cinema. A demand arose for more believable films that straddled styles like the noir of The Dark Knight, the cynicism of The Punisher, and the self-mockery of Deadpool. When Prime Video premiered the first season of The Boys in 2019, it instantly gained popularity on the platform. Just two weeks after its release, Amazon, which owns the service, decided to renew the series for a second season.

The Boys is a satirical series exploring the concept of superheroes based on the comic book of the same name. The plot offers a glimpse into what a world populated by superheroes might look like in the context of late capitalism. At the center of the conflict is Vought International, a corporation that controls not only a film studio and television channels, but also amusement parks, restaurants, and "The Seven"—a team of extraordinary superheroes.

Financial resources grant conglomerates colossal power, which they happily exploit. They infiltrate government structures, and they recruit superheroes as influencers to promote points of view favorable to them. For example, members of "The Seven" participate in expensive films that portray "supers" as undisputed heroes. This simplifies the process of profiting from the sale of action figures and other related merchandise.

Corruption, murder, the use of biological weapons—the conglomerate has committed almost every imaginable crime. Attempts to expose him are led by a group known as "The Boys," who call themselves anti-"super" fighters. While they represent the "good" side, they are not considered a moral compass in this series. Instead, "The Boys" act as antiheroes, and their methods, in their brutality, are sometimes as brutal as those of Vought.

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The series is filled with black humor, colorful characters, a gripping plot line and an exceptional level of violence, which is difficult to find an analogue in the world of superheroes. During the first weekend of the new season's release, viewers spent 744.4 million minutes watching the events of season four, setting an all-time record for the Prime Video platform. At the time, four episodes were available, each approximately one hour long. Based on this data, it can be estimated that approximately 3 million viewers watched season four of The Boys from June 13 to June 20, 2024.

Reasons for the Loss of Viewer Interest in The Boys

After the release of season four, many fans were disappointed. They argued that the series leaned too heavily toward whoopism—a term used in right-wing political discourse to describe a progressive approach aimed at combating social injustice and discrimination. The term originally originated among African-American activists, but was soon adopted by conservative circles, who began using it as a critique, considering the emphasis on progressive politics excessive. Wookism is a term that encompasses condemnations of various forms of discrimination, such as sexism, racism, and sexualized violence. It also encompasses statements supporting minority rights, as well as criticism of patriarchal structures and other systems of oppression. For example, the film Star Wars: The Last Jedi can be considered the epitome of Wookism, as its lead trio includes a woman, a Black actor, and a Guatemalan. Similarly, the fourth season of The Boys reflects Wookism with the introduction of a new superhero named Sage, an African-American woman who is considered the smartest person on the planet.

Audience reviews can be found dissatisfaction with about The Boys focusing too much on politics. And that's true: Season 4 explores issues like nationalism, religious beliefs, and media manipulation that can lead to fascism. However, similar topics have been explored in previous seasons, and the show's satire has typically always been straightforward.

Complaining about the politicization of The Boys is like complaining about the vegetables in a salad. Politics is the whole point!

YouTube host

Season 2 of The Seven surprised viewers by having Homelander, the main character, team up with a new member of the team, a Nazi named Stormfront. This character quickly gained popularity among the public, and she noted this: "People resonate with what I say. They truly believe it! They just don't like the term 'Nazi,' that's all."

In the third season of the series, Homelander demonstrated his ability to shoot lasers from his eyes by killing a man during protests on Fifth Avenue, considered one of the most prestigious streets in New York City. The show's creators noted that this scene is a reference to the famous quote of former US President Donald Trump: "I could stand and shoot people in the middle of Fifth Avenue and still not lose the vote."

Another criticism of The Boys is that its satirical approach is supposedly aimed exclusively at people with right-wing beliefs. However, this is not true: the show also criticizes the hypocrisy of progressive media corporations such as Disney and Marvel. These companies often create the illusion of supporting minorities, but in reality, their activity is limited to changing their avatars on social media during Pride Month. The rest of the time, they try to avoid discussing issues of social injustice, so as not to lose the interest of a wider audience.

It would be more accurate to say that the satire in the series "The Boys" condemns any desire for power, regardless of political orientation. The main goal of this project is not to ridicule any particular side, but to demonstrate how authoritarian minorities take over the information space in order to promote fascist ideas.

"The Boys" is about people who might be characterized as devoted followers of politicians, demagogues, or various movements. However, in my opinion, the real problem is not those who follow them. The problem lies with leaders who shamelessly manipulate the masses in order to increase their own power. They are willing to tear the country apart for the benefit of a few unstable egos, a few corporations, and a few billionaires."

Eric Kripke, showrunner, gave an interview to The Hollywood Reporter.

Eric Kripke, showrunner of the series "The Boys", himself was surprised by the fact that some viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the presence of an "agenda" in his creation. He noted that the project has always contained political elements and drew inspiration from real events taking place in American society. Work on the script began shortly after the events of January 6, 2021, when Donald Trump's supporters, dissatisfied with his election defeat, attempted to seize the Capitol, the building where Congress meets. This event left a deep imprint on the consciousness of US citizens, demonstrating the consequences that radicalization of society can have.

Ultimately, "The Boys" remained the same, but the new season was met with dissatisfaction from viewers, leaving many negative reviews. Let's look at the reasons for this perception.

How has the perception of the series changed among viewers?

Perhaps, the perception of the fourth season is due to the desire to be surrounded by positive information. This cognitive bias is known as confirmation bias, and it describes the tendency to focus only on those facts that correspond to our existing beliefs.

In 1979, researchers from Stanford University conducted an interesting experiment in which students evaluated the death penalty. Participants were presented with two conflicting studies: one claimed that the death penalty reduces crime, while the other insisted it has no effect.

In fact, Stanford researchers had manipulated both studies, making them appear similar in their persuasiveness. However, students who initially opposed the death penalty began to find the arguments against it more persuasive. Meanwhile, participants who supported the measure favored the other study.

When an individual encounters data that aligns with their views, dopamine is released in their brain. This hormone, responsible for feelings of pleasure, motivates us to endlessly scroll through social media feeds. Our neurobiology is designed to constantly seek dopamine, which is why we tend to surround ourselves with pleasant things.

Many social media platforms employ this practice: their algorithms analyze user preferences and suggest relevant content. As a result, people begin to follow only those influencers and media that reflect their own views. This leads to the formation of echo chambers – spaces where groups of like-minded people find themselves isolated in their beliefs and begin to unquestioningly accept them as truth.

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The reasons for the popularity of the series "Destined for Glory" are varied and multifaceted. Firstly, the plot of this series attracts attention with its originality and depth. The characters' stories, their internal conflicts and aspirations arouse empathy and interest in the viewer.

Secondly, the high quality of production also plays a role. The excellent work of the writers, directors and actors creates a captivating spectacle that is hard to miss. Each episode is filled with dynamic events and unexpected twists, which maintains tension and holds the audience's attention.

Furthermore, the series touches on relevant themes such as ambition, friendship, betrayal and personal growth. This allows viewers to find parallels with their own lives, making viewing more meaningful.

Finally, the active discussion of the series on social media and among critics contributes to its popularity. People are willing to share their opinions, which creates the feeling of being involved in something important and modern. All these factors combined make "Destined for Glory" not just another show, but a significant cultural phenomenon that has captured the hearts of many viewers. Let's return to "The Boys." The third season premiered in the summer of 2022, while the fourth is scheduled for the summer of 2024. Over the past two years, public sentiment has shifted: in the lead-up to the presidential elections, propagandists actively fueled public interest by spreading falsehoods about a "culture war" and the "decline of Christian values." Echo chambers on social media platforms have created a sense that the world has become divided into "us" and "them." As a result, when the first episodes of the new season aired, many viewers hoped to see a reflection of this distorted reality in "The Boys." Viewers who watched the show in 2024 were no longer the same as those who enjoyed it in 2022. First of all, American society has become more divided during this period. Furthermore, the release of the fourth season coincided with the election season, leading to increased political engagement. Nervousness among the population reached its peak. As a result, the new episodes of "The Boys" provoked strong reactions: instead of seeing their opinions reflected, viewers were confronted with their own image. The fourth season especially vividly depicted the types that become the object of ridicule in the series.

"Some viewers think that Homelander is a hero. How can you answer that? "The series can be described in many ways, but it's certainly not 'subtle.' If that's your conclusion, I'd rather distance myself from that opinion."

Showrunner Eric Kripke gave an interview to The Hollywood Reporter.

The term "death of media literacy" has been actively discussed in the English-speaking segment of the internet recently. Users point out that, thanks to algorithms and the echo chamber effect, many people have lost the ability to perceive narratives that don't align with their personal beliefs. If audiences continue to insist that art conform to their views, they will ultimately lose the ability to enjoy it.

The growing far-right sentiment in the United States is noteworthy, especially in the context of the election campaign. People with such views actively seek out like-minded individuals: the more voters support a "right-wing" candidate, the more their political interests will be represented over the next four- to eight-year term. The country is seeing a growing number of people who enthusiastically embrace fascist ideas and find inspiration in the characters on The Boys who share these beliefs. These heroes are presented as witty and charismatic villains, which appeals to some viewers. However, the show treats them mercilessly, ridiculing Homelander and dooming Stormfront. This is causing resentment among audiences who perceived these characters as a reflection of their own values. It wasn't until season four that they realized The Boys never supported their perspective.

Season Four's Shortcomings: What Went Wrong?

While critical audience reviews and widespread negative ratings focus on certain themes, they also have some serious arguments. These complaints aren't about wowism, but rather the quality of the writing, especially in regards to the subplots.

The stories of Kimiko and Frenchy. For many viewers, they have become favorite characters in the series. At first glance, fans should have been pleased with episodes that explore their past. However, in the new season, they were given so little screen time that the script didn't allow viewers to delve deeper into their stories. Their storylines didn't have a significant impact on the overall plot: if "The Boys" had spent several episodes plotting a grand victory, and Frenchie's finale had ruined it all, it might have been much more impactful. However, the dramas surrounding their pasts played out separately from the key events. It feels like Kimiko and Frenchy were supposed to just move from one point to another by the end of the season, but the creators didn't have time to work out a detailed enough path for them.

The pace of the story at the beginning of the series turned out to be quite Slow: Many viewers expressed dissatisfaction, pointing to the lack of significant developments. The plot often stagnated during the first few episodes. However, this is quite consistent with Kripke's style. It is not the first time we have seen his projects follow the "inexpressive beginning, powerful ending" model. And the final part of the season lived up to expectations: against the backdrop of a gradual development of events, it turned into a fascinating spectacle that reminded fans of the previous "Boys".

A satire on sexualized violence. The film and television industry have made significant progress in depicting violence against women. At the same time, violence against men is still perceived as something comical. There is an opinion that a man cannot be raped because he is always ready for intimacy; and if he is not ready, then this is perceived as a sign of shortcomings worthy of ridicule.

Unfortunately, in the series "The Boys", Hughie found himself in a rather humiliating position. This season, he faced serious challenges: the loss of a loved one and two instances of sexualized violence. Both episodes were presented humorously, portraying Hughie as a bumbling character caught in a difficult situation, and nothing more. Even Kripke himself found these moments humorous. While they ultimately condemned the sexualized violence against Starlight and ensured that the aggressor received just punishment, in Hughie's case, things are different. Kripke doesn't seem to see a serious problem with rape when the victim is a man.

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Finally, it is worth mentioning the final flaw of the fourth season - a phenomenon known as Flanderization. This is a process by which characters, as the story progresses, begin to resemble parodies of themselves. Their most striking traits become overly exaggerated, while the layers and depth of their character are lost. Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is an example: with each new film, he becomes increasingly comic relief. The Sparrow of the sequels is radically different from his portrayal in the first film.

The characters of The Boys are more stereotypes than fully developed individuals. Their character nuances have virtually disappeared, leaving them feeling flat and artificial. The same recurring situations can be seen in every episode: Butcher constantly lies, Marvin broods about his family, Starlight falls victim to memes, and Hughie demonstrates his clumsiness. The only truly "real" character, by any measure, remains Homelander. That's why his development is so much more engaging to watch than that of all the other characters.

Ultimately, the characters we'd grown attached to became mere soulless vehicles for the story. In season four, their thoughts and emotions became irrelevant; only the actions they took became important. However, judging by the reviews, viewers were also dissatisfied with the slow start and the lack of exciting moments. The series seemed to be trying to balance action scenes with character development, but ultimately failed to maintain either element.

While 54% is clearly an underestimate from viewers, 92% from critics also seems like excessive praise. As is often the case, the truth likely lies somewhere between the two extremes. The final season is scheduled to air in 2025, and it will likely clarify the debate about whether The Boys is outstanding or just good.