The Boys actor Antony Starr responded to filming Homelander’s brutal scenes in season 4, episode 4, explaining why it was actually fun to shoot the sequence of events. In the episode, the leader of the Seven takes a trip down memory lane, returning to the Vought lab where he was raised as a child. Throughout The Boys season 4, episode 4, he physically and psychologically torments the workers, including scientists who had abused him when he was just a child.
Speaking with Variety, Starr explained how filming Homelander’s disturbing scenes throughout The Boys season 4, episode 4 was actually quite fun to do. The actor said being able to portray a character who can do things that could never happen in real life made the experience enjoyable for him. Check out what Starr had to say about the episode below:
It was actually really fun. As dark and f—-d up as that seems now, that was probably one of the most enjoyable sequences I’ve had on the show. I had a ball doing it. It can’t get weird enough or dark enough for me and I love that. We get to do things on screen that we never get to do in real life so it was a huge amount of fun.
What’s Homelander’s Next Move In The Boys Season 4?
His Character Has Finally Reached A Turning Point
Season 4, episode 4 seemed to establish that the leader of the Seven has broken away from his humanity, fighting back against his need for others’ approval. This will make him an incredibly dangerous villain going forward, as his actions will no longer be driven by his need for people to like him for what he does. But, as demonstrated by Homelander deciding not to kill Barbara, there’s still part of him that seeks the approval of others, even when he feels the need to prove to her that he’s beyond such a human need.
While this was a major turning point for the character, though, his need for approval could still crop up in the story, specifically because of his connection with Ryan. Although the young Supe doesn’t want to hurt people, the influence of his father could force him to do something horrible again, with Homelander trying to control his son while also seeking his love. This balancing act can’t go on forever, though, with both his son and the other characters he’s working with. Eventually, it seems he’ll surpass elements of his humanity, becoming far more dangerous in the process.
Having killed so many people in the underground lab, it seems inevitable a shift in his character is coming, even if he continues struggling with his need for others to like him. However, with that notion slowly eroding, it wouldn’t be surprising for The Boys season 5 to reveal a wholly unleashed Homelander who no longer cares for what people think of him. With the antagonist growing more unstable by the episode, it may not be long until he’s fully dedicated to getting total Supe control, no matter what it requires.
Homelander Will Be Very Dangerous By The End Of Season 4
The Show Has Laid The Groundwork For His Biggest Moment Yet
Before the final season, though, there are still four episodes left in season 4 that will likely see him struggling to push his humanity further away. He’s still working with Sister Sage and Victoria Neuman, something that he could slowly believe to be a hindrance as they try to approach Supes gaining power from a public standpoint. The Boys season 4, episode 5 trailer hints he might try taking over the operation, bringing in Sam and Cate from Gen V for reasons that aren’t entirely clear just yet.
While Homelander’s need for approval is his weakness, getting over that would make him almost physically impervious for the Boys or anyone else to stop from doing whatever he wants.
While the laboratory massacre was already a horrifying turning point for the leader of The Seven, his change in mindset will likely result in him doing something more public very soon. It’s possible that, by the end of season 4, Homelander kills even more people out in the open, stationing himself as uncontrollable and too powerful for his constituents to stop. There’s even a chance that, by the final episode, he ends up killing Robert Singer and incapacitating Victoria, possibly in an attempt to take power in the US on his own.
Can The Boys Stop Homelander If He Becomes Less Focused On His Humanity?
There’s Only 1 Possibility Of Defeating Him So Far
While Homelander’s need for approval is his weakness, getting over that would make him almost physically impervious to The Boys or anyone else who tries to stop him from doing whatever he wants. Although Soldier Boy stood a chance against him in season 3, his instability makes it unlikely he’ll be brought back anytime soon. Instead, season 4, episode 5 indicates the Supe virus from Gen V will be vital in stopping the leader of the Seven. Since Butcher knows about the virus, getting his hands on it might be the best shot at killing Homelander that he has.
The Boys Season 4 Episode
Release Date
Ep. 5: “Beware the Jabberwock, My Son”
June 27
Ep. 6: “Dirty Business”
July 4
Ep. 7: “The Insider”
July 11
Ep. 8: Assassination Run
July 18
However, since the virus is being introduced in The Boys with a season and a half to go, it might not be the solution needed to bring the Supe down for good. While it’s possible such an early introduction will play into the forthcoming final season, it could also be another dead end in the group’s attempt at defeating the Seven’s leader. For now, it seems Homelander’s dwindling humanity will make him much more dangerous before the group gets a chance at trying to stop him permanently.
