'The Boys' Season 4 drops major hint about Homelander's Achilles heel
Contains spoilers and speculation for 'The Boys'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In 'The Boys' Season 4, Homelander (Antony Starr), faces a dangerous situation leading to a path of carnage and massacre in Episode 4 titled, 'Wisdom of the Ages'.
Over 3 seasons, Homelander's resistance against opposition has elevated him to the leadership of Vought International. His coup in Season 3 displaced Stan Edgar (Giancarlo Esposito), placing Homelander in ultimate control at Vought Tower.
Homelander holds power at Vought Tower, surrounded by sycophants led by CEO Ashley Barret (Colby Minifie), yet he longs for adoration.
Homelander's entitlement and need for adoration are central to his character. He has come to realize that it's a mistake to surround himself with people who always agree with him.
Does this mean we've finally discovered Homelander's true vulnerability?
Homelander's Achilles' Heel has been teased since 'The Boys' Season 1
Since the beginning of 'The Boys', Homelander has been portrayed as someone hungry for power and desperate for validation.
Until Season 3 introduced Soldier Boy (Jensen Ackles), it seemed his lack of a father figure left him vulnerable, seeking approval from those he respected while looking down on almost everyone else.
Publicly, Homelander craved validation as a Supe and leader of the Seven, always aiming to please the crowd. Privately, he became a puppet manipulated by figures like Madelyn Stilwell (Elisabeth Shue) and Stan Edgar as Vought.
Even in his romantic entanglements with Stilwell and Stormfront (Aya Cash), Homelander's need for acceptance made him susceptible to manipulation for their gain.
In Season 4, Homelander desperately seeks approval from his son Ryan, who doesn't reciprocate his affection. This strain leads Homelander to sabotage Ryan's first public appearance, driven by jealousy over Ryan's attachment to Butcher (Karl Urban).
Fed up, Homelander decides to discard any remaining humanity, embarking on his most heartless change in the series so far.
Homelander is annoyed by how indifferent Ryan treats him in 'The Boys'
Homelander's growing frustration with his son's indifference towards him coincides with a significant shift in how he views humanity. This culmination leads him to desire to eliminate his weakness.
Following the public acclaim for his execution of a protester in 'The Boys' Season 3, Homelander starts seeing himself as a god-like figure, no longer seeking approval from the humans he once looked down upon.
In Season 4, he imparts to Ryan that humans exist solely for the entertainment of Supes, a belief that drives him to seek guidance from Sister Sage as he plans to dominate humanity completely.
As his hate for humans deepens, Homelander's self-importance grows rapidly. He no longer cares about pleasing the crowd and feels disrespected by his son's indifference.
This realization prompts him to reevaluate his priorities. In 'The Boys' Season 4 Episode 4, titled 'Wisdom of the Ages', Homelander finally confronts his need for validation and decides it's time to overcome this fatal flaw once and for all.
Homelander confronts his past at the Vought Lab where he was raised in 'The Boys'
Homelander's return to the Vought lab where he suffered as a child is a significant event in 'The Boys' Season 4. Initially, it seems like a nostalgic reunion, but things quickly darken as Homelander confronts those he blames for his past pain.
He seeks redemption by punishing them, thinking it will heal his wounds. However, Barbara (Nancy Lenehan), the lab's Director, sees through his intentions.
Barbara questions Homelander about why he's really there. He admits he wants revenge on the staff who hurt him as a child.
Barbara then reveals a shocking truth: Vought scientists deliberately made Homelander crave love and approval to control him. Despite being able to break free, Homelander's deep need for acceptance, even from those who hurt him, kept him trapped in his trauma.
This revelation changes how we see Homelander in 'The Boys' Season 4.
In a surprising twist, Homelander spares Barbara after harming everyone else. He sees it as proving he's moved beyond human emotions. But sparing Barbara shows he still craves approval and wants her to believe he's evolved beyond needing love.
Despite his recent violent acts, we're left wondering if Homelander has truly overcome his biggest flaw. His need for love continues to drive his decisions, even with advice from figures like Sister Sage.
'The Boys' Season 4 trailer
5 Episodes of 'The Boys' Season 4 are available o stream on Prime Video.