Anthony Starr, known for his portrayal of the villain Homelander in the hit series The Boys, has surprised many by admitting that some fans have come to feel empathy for his character, who embodies sociopathic behaviors and disdain for those he considers inferior. In a recent conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Starr reflected on the surreal admiration that some viewers feel for Homelander, a character who, despite his dark history, has captured the public’s attention.
A character that has divided, but captivated, the audience
In the fourth season, Starr has sought to delve into the complex emotions of Homelander, contrasting his cruelty with moments of personal anguish, highlighting episodes where the character confronts his past. “It’s like a therapy session with a lot of deaths,” the actor comments about the episode Wisdom of the Ages, where the character returns to a secret laboratory that informs his childhood. This emotional exploration aims to humanize a character who is often seen solely as a monster.
The narrative of The Boys has been marked by a critical approach to contemporary culture, with comparisons between Homelander and political figures like Donald Trump, which intensified in the fourth season with representations that evoke recent events. The creator of the series, Eric Kripke, mentioned that the series acts as a “distorted mirror” of current culture, seeking to connect with the viewer’s reality.
With the confirmation that the fifth season will be the last, Starr and the creative team have begun to establish the final developments for the story. According to Kripke, this season is oriented towards the conclusion, where it is expected that the characters, including Homelander, will have to face the consequences of their choices. While the main series will come to an end, spin-off projects like Gen V and a prequel titled Vought Rising are still in development.
