Ahead of the Thursday release of the season four finale of The Boys, Amazon Prime Video attached a poignant disclaimer, acknowledging the striking parallels between the fictional narrative and the real-life assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump that left two individuals dead, including the perpetrator.
The streamer's statement, posted simultaneously on Prime Video and The Boys' official social media channels, read, "The season finale of The Boys portrays scenes of fictitious political turmoil, which may evoke profound distress among viewers, particularly in the wake of the devastating injuries and loss of life during the recent attack on the former President. It's important to note that The Boys is a work of fiction, filmed in 2023, and any perceived similarities to recent real-world events are purely coincidental and unintended."
The statement further emphasized, "Amazon, Sony Pictures Television, and the producers of The Boys unequivocally condemn any form of real-world violence."
The previously titled "Assassination Run," the eighth episode of season four, has been renamed simply "Season Four Finale." Without divulging the intricate plot, Amazon's official summary captures the essence: "As Congress certifies the election results, making Bob Singer the President and Victoria Neuman his Vice President, Homelander shocks the nation with revelations about Neuman. Meanwhile, The Boys scramble to safeguard Singer from an assassin who is closer than they imagine. Annie grapples with her identity and a bid for freedom, while Butcher's final plea to Ryan backfires, unleashing the monster within him and altering everything forever."
Ahead of the fourth season, creator and showrunner Eric Kripke spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about how his darkly humorous satire, which will conclude with a fifth season and expand into a franchise, has always mirrored Trumpism. This latest chapter mocked a high-profile trial and presidential election, reflecting on the show's social commentary and relevance.
"Back in 2016, when Seth [Rogen], Evan [Goldberg], and I embarked on pitching this series, our vision was clear," he reminisced about the genesis of the show. "We aimed to craft a brutally realistic portrayal of superheroes, those larger-than-life celebrities who often misbehave. Trump was merely a curiosity, a man whose nomination seemed far-fetched. But when he was elected, our metaphor gained a profound relevance, mirroring the contemporary world. Suddenly, we were exploring the nexus of celebrity culture and authoritarianism, highlighting how social media and entertainment are tools to propagate fascism. We were smack in the center of the maelstrom, and once we grasped that, it became our duty to push the narrative as far as possible."
Reflecting on the uncanny parallels between each season and real-life events, Kripke elaborated that they pen the seasons almost two years before their release, often preceding the news cycles they seem to so accurately foretell. "Time and again, we find that the news precisely mirrors our narrative," he noted, citing the season four opener where the Trump-esque character, Homelander (portrayed by Antony Starr), faces a trial. "Could I have predicted it would coincide with Trump's trial? Absolutely not. But we write about what terrifies or angers us. Someone asked me last year about season three's take on policing in Black communities. It's a problem that's persisted for over a century. It was a concern five years ago, and sadly, it will be a concern five years hence. It's a recurring nightmare."
'The Boys' has emerged as one of Prime Video's most triumphant original series, regularly topping Nielsen's streaming charts and spawning a spinoff, 'Gen V,' and an animated anthology titled 'Diabolical,' all set in the same universe. Sony Pictures Television, along with Amazon MGM Studios, Kripke Enterprises, Original Film, and Point Grey Pictures, bring 'The Boys' to life.
