The Boys has been heavy on politics from the start, and while it's relatively east to watch the series without getting too caught up in the real-life parallels, they're also hard to ignore.
Still, some believe the Prime Video series isn't remotely political, meaning they fail to understand the point of the show's deeper themes.
Asked by Slash Film about those viewers, The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke said, "I don't write with them in mind. I mean, look, it doesn't really particularly bother me. I just kind of throw up my hands, and I'm like, 'Well, I don't know what else to do then.' The show is many things. Subtle is not one of them."
"If you, for instance, think Homelander's a hero, I just don't know what to tell you. I don't know what to tell you. But look, on the other hand, if people want to watch this show as just escapist entertainment, like as any other superhero thing...then I guess thanks for watching, question mark?"
"But obviously, the show has a lot on its mind, and I would certainly appreciate it more if people get the different layers that we work so hard to put into it," he concluded.
Yes, there are indeed those who rally around Homelander in the same way as his supporters in the world of The Boys. When the site pointed out that the villain is, in many ways, "a representative for everything that is terrifying about life," Kripke strongly hinted that a certain former President played a big role in how Homelander is portrayed.
"I mean, look, even as short as 10 years ago, the idea of a celebrity trying to turn themselves into an authoritarian autocrat was a slightly crazy idea. Then with 2016 and the build-up to it, suddenly it became a very, very real idea. Here's this comic book that has a character that's doing exactly the same thing, and I really lucked into adapting it at the single best time in history to adapt that comic."
"I think he really connects with people on that level. I think none of that would happen if Antony Starr isn't delivering just a masterful performance, every single episode. He makes you understand the guy. He gives 17 facial expressions when someone else gives one. He's just an astounding actor, and he's doing Emmy worthy work."
"It's mind-blowing to me that he hasn't won anything yet. I think he makes that character so undeniable, and is delivering just such a performance for the ages, that I think people just naturally gravitate towards it."
The series has strongly hinted that Homelander has his eye on the White House. To get into potential spoiler territory, fans of the comics will know his story does eventually head in that direction, and it remains to be seen how and if season 4 (which premieres this week) builds to that.
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