The Boys Season 4 (TV Series) | Review

Political elections become breeding grounds for fascism when superheroes control the ballot boxes in The Boys Season 4. What happens when the line between satire and documentary disappears completely? The answer lies in latest eight episodes that struggle to stay ahead of a world that's become more unhinged than fiction.

Dystopian storytelling faces its greatest challenge when actual dystopia knocks at the door. Season 4 of The Boys delivers its most politically charged content yet while wrestling with the reality that extreme scenarios no longer feel extreme enough.

The fourth season thrusts viewers into a presidential election year where Homelander hunts "Starlighters" while democracy crumbles. Butcher desperately tries winning over Ryan before his own Temp-V deterioration slowly kills him.

The deadly supe-killing virus from Gen V becomes a central plot point, with Victoria Neuman now possessing this dangerous weapon. Political manipulation reaches new heights as the show explores themes of authoritarianism, media manipulation and weaponization of fear.

The Boys themselves face their greatest challenge yet as society edges closer to complete superhero domination. Democratic institutions crumble while fear becomes the primary tool for maintaining authoritarian control over civilians.

Season 4 continues the show's tradition of using Garth Ennis' source material as a foundation and takes broader themes from the comics about political corruption and media manipulation, then amplifies them through the lens of contemporary American politics.

The show's strength remains in translating the cynical worldview of the comics into television-specific storytelling. Where the source material often relied on broad political satire, the adaptation grounds these themes in recognizable real-world dynamics.

Antony Starr continues to deliver powerhouse performances as Homelander but this season shows signs of repetitive character beats. His descent into authoritarianism feels inevitable rather than surprising, though Starr's commitment to the role remains unwavering.

Karl Urban's Butcher faces his most complex arc yet as his mortality becomes increasingly apparent. Urban expertly portrays Butcher's internal conflict between being a proper father figure to Ryan and pursuing his war against the Supes.

The addition of Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Kessler adds another layer to Butcher's psychological breakdown, creating compelling internal tension. His presence forces Butcher to confront his own violent nature while questioning everything he knew about justice and revenge.

Erin Moriarty's Starlight continues her evolution from idealistic hero to hardened revolutionary, though her character development feels more incremental than transformative. The supporting cast, including Jack Quaid's Hughie and Laz Alonso's Mother's Milk, provides solid emotional anchoring even as the plot becomes increasingly chaotic around them.

The production design maintains its satirical edge while embracing darker political themes. Visual contrasts between corporate sterility and underground desperation become more pronounced, reflecting the show's central themes about power and corruption.

The Seven's headquarters feels increasingly fortress-like as democracy crumbles outside. Action sequences continue blending practical effects with digital enhancement, though the shock value feels more calculated than organic.

The season delivers "signature shock and awe entertainment" but sometimes at the expense of narrative coherence. The violence serves thematic purposes but occasionally feels gratuitous rather than meaningful or necessary for storytelling.

Color palettes shift toward muted tones as the political situation deteriorates, creating a visual representation of hope being systematically extinguished. The cinematography maintains its documentary-style approach during intense moments, making viewers feel complicit.

The Boys Season 4 maintains thematic consistency while showing signs of narrative fatigue. The wheels are starting to spin, creating concern about the show's ability to sustain its momentum through character arcs that often feels repetitive.

The season works better for weekly viewing than binge-watching as the intense political content requires processing time between episodes. The show's satirical approach becomes more difficult to digest in large doses, particularly when reality mirrors fiction.

Series progression feels both inevitable and stagnant. The constant cycle of almost killing Homelander and then failing becomes tiresome, though individual character moments maintain emotional resonance. The show's commitment to consequences remains strong, even when the overall narrative momentum falters sometimes.

The audio landscape reflects the season's political themes through increasingly militant musical choices. Patriotic orchestration becomes more aggressive and distorted, creating an auditory representation of nationalism gone wrong while democracy fails.

Sound design during political rally scenes creates authentic atmosphere while maintaining the show's satirical edge. The audio team effectively uses crowd noise and political rhetoric to create genuine unease, making viewers uncomfortable with familiar political theater.

Traditional superhero music cues become more militaristic, reinforcing themes about heroism being weaponized for political gain. The soundtrack selections provide ironic commentary on the action, though the choices sometimes feel too obvious rather than cleverly subversive.

The Boys Season 4 is wildly entertaining but the cracks are starting to show. The season successfully maintains its satirical bite while exploring darker political themes but struggles with pacing and narrative repetition. Its commitment to shock value sometimes overshadows character development and thematic coherence.

The season serves as both compelling television and uncomfortable social commentary, though it occasionally feels more like a documentary than satire. The show faces the challenge of inventing dystopia less ridiculous than reality.

The Boys Season 4 remains essential viewing for those willing to confront its challenging themes, even when the execution feels less sharp than previous seasons. It's a flawed but necessary exploration of power, corruption and the fragility of democratic institutions in the face of superhuman authoritarianism.

The Boys Season 4 is streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. New episodes are being released weekly for Prime subscribers in supported regions. The series remains an Amazon Original, meaning it is not available on Disney+, Max, Netflix or any other platform.