Homelander Isn't As Strong As People Think; Getting Sloppier by the Season
Now that's something the writers probably want you to overlook.
Fans of Amazon Prime Video 's The Boys have been discussing Homelander in the months since Season 3, and they've come to a shocking conclusion:
Homelander isn't as strong as people think.
He's written to be the most powerful character in the show, and he may be. He's almost invincible, ruthlessly using his strength and laser eyes to strike fear into any enemy. But fans of the show argue that while he may ultimately be powerful, he's sloppy and not very skilled at using his strength.
All of his fights end with an absurd amount of collateral damage. Instead of fighting smart - mostly using his super speed and flight to destabilise enemies - he recklessly blows his eyes out at enemies, sometimes accidentally killing civilians in the process. This issue was addressed in Season 2 when he was caught on camera shooting a civilian through the body of a terrorist.
Fans ultimately believe that Homelander is sloppy in his work. That's why Queen Maeve, who is far less powerful than Homelander, is able to stand up to him. She practices and trains for hours every day in preparation for the fight, trying to close the power gap between the two of them.
His greatest asset - far more powerful than any of his powers - is his use of fear. Because everyone knows of his absolute strength and ruthlessness, he's able to keep everyone in line. But as the show has gone on, he's gotten sloppier and sloppier.
Fans have also been introduced to more characters who don't fear Homelander - Stan Edgar, Vicki Newman and, of course, Billy Butcher - because they know how sloppy he is. He's one mobile phone video away from being exposed as a sloppy "hero" who doesn't care about civilian lives. And if that revelation gets out, his days as a hero may be over.
Season 3, however, ended with Homelander laser-blasting a heckler in a crowd. The crowd, obsessed with their hero, cheered. Fans will see how Homelander reacts in Season 4, now that he knows he can be sloppy and outwardly murderous without losing the love of his fans.
Over the three seasons of the show, we've seen Homelander grow increasingly desperate as Butcher and the Boys close the power gap. Because of that desperation, Homelander has become more ruthless. With that ruthlessness comes sloppiness. And as he gets sloppier, his weakness is revealed.
More unhinged than we've ever seen him, we'll see in Season 4 if that makes him a more terrifying villain or an easier target for the good guys.