Imagine a world where superheroes are real, loved and revered, held up as role models – except away from the cameras they are self-serving and vile.
Welcome to the universe of The Boys, Amazon Prime Video’s skewed take on what life could really be like if “supes” did indeed walk among us.
Now in its third season, this alternate reality has gained cult status among viewers and not just for its compelling storyline as a group of ordinary people – victims of the evil and damage casually inflicted by the crusaders, caped or not – try to bring down the superheroes.
It’s almost as if the producers want to see how far they can push the boundaries.”
The Boys is talked of in reverential tones because it is unflinching in its graphic violence, twisted humour and extreme language. One character, Butcher Bill, uses the last taboo swear word as noun, verb and punctuation.
It’s almost as if the producers want to see how far they can push the boundaries while giving the audience water cooler moments… “Oh my God, did you see the bit with the dolphin?”
But it is all done with humour and intelligence, even when you are in stunned disbelief at what the drugged-up ant-size antihero just did in a sex scene that you needed to watch from between your fingers.
The heroes themselves – with the core group of The Seven, like a major league for supes – all echo comic book characters such as Superman, Wonder Woman and Captain America. But each is flawed.
The Boys is not just a hugely entertaining, edgy, over-the-top-constantly twisting joy … it’s also a biting satire.”
Antony Starr excels as Homelander, switching from the gracious charm of the hero’s public persona to the insanity bubbling under the surface in a heartbeat.
But The Boys is not just a hugely entertaining, edgy, over-the-top-constantly twisting joy to watch.
It is also a biting satire on the real world – with the Trump-ist Make America Great Again mindset squarely in its sights.
As binge-worthy series go, The Boys is super.