This article contains spoilers for The Boys Season 4 Finale
The Boys is never shy of using its satirical underpinnings to deliver some stinging barbs to events in the real world, and as the opening moments of the Season 4 finale played out, it was big Hollywood studios taking a lashing. One particular line, tucked in the opening “newsreel” montage, delivered a direct response to the recent trend of studios shelving movies and TV shows that have been completed in favor of taking a tax write-off.
The Boys finale played out with plenty of crushed skulls, torn torsos, and the usual wholesome fun that has become the series’ trademark. But before all that, the show decided to call out studios such as Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix, who have produced movies and then scrapped them once they have been completed, much to the outrage of both fans and those involved in the productions themselves.
The line is delivered in relation to an in-universe movie about the early life of A-Train, which was teased earlier in the season and featured an unexpected cameo by Will Ferrell. During the finale’s opening, a news report is heard announcing, “Stunning news out of Vought Studios, who are canceling the eagerly anticipated film, Training A-Train, though it’s completely finished.” The clip cuts to Vought’s CEO, Ashley Barrett (Colby Minifie), who delivered a killer jab at similar real-world cancelations.
We just knew we would make more from the write-off
This is certainly not the first time that showrunner Eric Kripke has used the series to slap the face of the film industry, and it has become apparent more than ever in Season 4, that there is a lot more of the real world in The Boys’ universe than many people are truly comfortable to admit.
The Boys Has Taken Criticism for Its Political Storylines
The latest season of The Boys has been the usual juggernaut for Prime Video in terms of viewership, with the series easily outpacing other shows on the platform, and indeed across many other streaming platforms too. But the less than subtle political leanings of Season 4 have been more than some fans could take, leading to some online discourse throughout the season.
However, Kripke has been resolute in standing by the show, and has simply offered everyone a very simple choice when it comes to watching The Boys; do, or don’t. Shortly after the series returned to screens, Kripke went on record to directly respond to those who have slammed the show for its stance, and those who have decided that Homelander is the type of person they want to look up to.
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Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in June, Kripe shared his very clear lack of interest in people who spend a lot of time complaining about The Boys on social media for “going woke.” He said at the time:
“I clearly have a perspective, and I’m not shy about putting that perspective in the show. Anyone who wants to call the show ‘woke’ or whatever, that’s OK. Go watch something else. But I’m certainly not going to pull any punches or apologize for what we’re doing. Some people who watch it think Homelander is the hero. What do you say to that? The show’s many things. Subtle isn’t one of them. So if that’s the message you’re getting from it, I just throw up my hands.”
The Boys
Season 4 is now available to stream in full on Prime Video, along with all three previous seasons.