New Delhi, “Totalitarianism” is unfortunately a global phenomenon and that is probably why “The Boys” has attracted audiences, says show creator Eric Kripke, whose show is set in a fantasy world but tackles real-life issues like corruption and the consequences of unchecked power.
Beware the Tyrants! This message comes through clearly in the show, where superheroes, known as “Supes,” are popular and role models, but unlike traditional portrayals of them as good, they are corrupt, fundamentally selfish, and morally compromised.
“I think people have really gotten the message that be careful of anyone who says he’s trying to save you because he’s probably lying. I think the characters are dealing with really human universal things that I think translate across the world,” Kripke told PTI in a virtual interview.
The satire, which redefines the superhero genre with its ultra-violence and nudity, returns with its fourth season on Prime Video on June 13.
“I think the response has been amazing and people in India and everywhere are really understanding what we are trying to say. We are reacting a lot to American politics, but I think the notion of authoritarians and ‘Hey, maybe you shouldn’t trust authoritarians so much’ is unfortunately a worldwide phenomenon,” the producer said.
Based on the New York Times bestselling comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, “The Boys” is the story of a team of vigilantes led by Bill the Butcher who take on super-powered individuals, particularly the unhinged, egotistical and sadistic leader Homelander, played by Antony Starr.
Since its premiere on Prime Video in 2019, the show has received immense acclaim from critics and audiences as it tackles real-world issues, including power, corruption, celebrity culture, and the consequences of unchecked authority.
According to Kripke, the fantasy genre allows storytellers to comment on and hold a mirror up to reality.
“People can look at it with a little bit of detachment and think about it differently. In ‘The Boys,’ we have a society that’s completely fragmenting, but they’re fragmenting into those who support Homelander and those who support Starlight.
He said, “We take a real world event but fictionalize it. We add people who can shoot lasers out of their eyes and fly, but other than that it’s a real event.”
Kripke, the mind behind the show, said this way the writers can talk about things in a “subversive way.”
“If I was making a straight play, I wouldn’t be able to get away with it because it would be too serious.”
The characters in “The Boys” come in all shades of gray, such as Urban’s Butcher, whose goal is to defeat superheroes at any cost. He is the counterpoint to Starr’s Homelander, a prejudiced public figure who also embodies greed, narcissism and corruption.
Despite their negative qualities, Butcher and Homelander are two of the show’s most popular characters and fans support them each season.
Explaining the reason for Butcher’s popularity, Kripke said it was due to audiences’ love for the vigilante genre.
“I think we’re trying to delve into that a little bit and say that behind a vigilante is someone who is very broken. If you’re an action hero, chances are you’re a very messed up person in reality.”
But if anyone believes that Homelander is a good guy, Kripke has some advice for them.
“For people who sympathize with Homelander, I don’t know what to say to those people. This show is full of many things, subtlety is not one of them. If you truly think Homelander is a good guy, my only message would be to seek professional help,” he said.
As for the response the show has received, Kripke said the team pays attention to all types of fan reactions.
He added, “We pay attention. I mean, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t on social media when episodes aired and reading what people thought obsessively. I’ve learned over the years to try not to obsess about one person who really hates your work. But when you find out that 300 people have the same problem, you start to pay attention to that problem.”
Another element that sets “The Boys” apart from the rest of the movies and shows in the superhero space is the graphic violence.
According to Kripke, the violence and gore are primarily meant to give people a sense of what reality would be like if there were superheroes in society.
“Honestly, a lot of that extreme violence comes from the original comic books that Garth Ennis wrote. They’re very graphic and, honestly, they make our show look conservative in comparison. They’re insane and so part of it is that, and part of it is the fact that if you had superpowers in the real world you would make horrible messes with normal human beings… that’s something we’re trying to explain as well.”
“The Boys” also stars Jack Quaid, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capon, Karen Fukuhara, Colby Minifie, Claudia Doumit and Cameron Crovetti. Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry and Jeffrey Dean Morgan are new cast members for the upcoming installment.
The fourth season of the superhero series will premiere on June 13, with the first three episodes airing weekly.
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