One of, if not the most interesting things about “The Boys” Season 4 is the ever-fracturing psyche of series antagonist, Homelander (Antony Starr). The manmade Superman wannabe has no equal in terms of physical strength in this world, yet his mind is far but super.
In fact, as revealed in Episode 4 (spoilers), he was brainwashed at a young age by the nation’s top psychologists to crave affection, love and approval, which Vought weaponized against him in order to control him. We see early on how Vought CEO Stan Edgar (Giancarlo Esposito) and Vice President Madelyn Stillwell (Elisabeth Shue) play into this and his ego in order to use him as a puppet. It is only when they are out of the picture can Homelander begin to think for himself.
In Episode 4, Homelander goes back to the lab he was created and wreaks havoc on the workers that hurt and embarrassed him when he was young, as well as his underlings. He takes sick pleasure in torturing them, but ultimately comes out of the ordeal worse off than when he entered it — he was hoping to be free of his need for love, but found out that it was literally programmed into him.
However, I think this goes beyond that. Sure, Homelander was subjected to brainwashing in order for him to be subservient, but the need for love and acceptance is a universal one that all people share. Homelander, while superhuman physically, is emotionally and mentally still a human, which he hates.
He’s on a futile quest for happiness — he’ll never be happy until he loves himself, which might be impossible, given all the atrocities he’s committed and his lack of empathy. He’s disappointed in himself and rightfully so — the only way for him to acquire all that he desires is to be truly selfless and to live for other people; to become the Superman everyone expects him to be.
Given that he doesn’t even see people as people — he views them as playthings — I don’t think this is possible. But his son, Ryan, could change his mind. Unfortunately, I don’t think “The Boys” is that sort of show and Homelander might be the character least deserving of a redemption arc, perhaps after The Deep.
Still, he’s uncomfortable with himself, which is the first step. Of all the members of The Seven likely to be redeemed, A-Train is the one that is closest, especially after he helped Hughie and The Boys these past two episodes.
So far, I’m deeply enjoying Starr’s portrayal of Homelander and I love how showrunner Eric Kripke has managed to make him a three-dimensional character. Homelander is not a good person by any measurement, but we at least deeply understand why he is the way he is and how he’s incapable of growth.
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