‘The Boys‘ set up a surprising development for Homelander: despite presenting himself as an invincible god, he is aging. Throughout season 4, Homelander shows clear discomfort with the idea that time is catching up with him.
This includes the scene where he stores his grey hairs in a jar. For a Supe that has a disdain for everything mortal, this fear is rather understandable. Aging represents the one thing Homelander cannot control. However, the significance of his aging goes far beyond a simple psychological breakdown or a reminder that he isn’t truly immortal.
Homelander’s Aging Twist Sets Up His Most Dangerous Arc In ‘The Boys’ Season 5
Unlike Soldier Boy and Stormfront, who received Frederick Vought’s original pure Compound V as adults, Homelander was engineered differently. The formula develops inside him from the womb to grow into the Superman-like superhero the world awaits. Sure, he might come off as the strongest Supe alive, but the fact that he was allowed to age normally showcases that he was meant to live and die like a mortal by his creators.
Related: ‘Vought Rising’ Might Be The Most Brutal Chapter In ‘The Boys’ Franchise
If Homelander had the same biological immortality as Soldier Boy, his development would have stopped entirely, leaving him permanently stuck as a baby. Because of this, Vought likely removed the immortality component of the formula on purpose. This was intended so that perhaps another younger, better Supe takes his place in the future.
So while Homelander does age more slowly than a regular human, he is not truly immortal. From what is revealed in the latest season of the series, Homelander is not enjoying the fact one bit. This provides a reasonable explanation for his consistent attempts to establish autocracy, even if it’s through mass murder.
How The Final Season Could Weaponize This Insecurity
Season 5 is already teasing how deeply Homelander is struggling with the idea of his own mortality. The latest trailer shows that he is increasingly focused on preparing Ryan to take his place. The new season is guaranteed to make Homeland more edgy and brutal. His obsession with destiny and power, including his hunt for Compound V, reflects a desperate attempt to maintain the illusion of immortality.
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The same can also be understood through his hunt for Compound V. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, EP Eric Kripke and showrunner Michele Fazekas hinted at the potential appearance of ‘Gen V‘ in the final battle. They also explained why season 5 Homelander will be the doom, describing the resistance as a “fight back to Homelander and this sort of fascist government”.
With Homelander’s fragile ego now threatened by the reality of aging, season 5 could present the most dangerous version of the character yet. The possibility that his time is running out may push him to cling to power more violently than ever before.
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