The Dark origin of Homelander: From Child Experiment to powerful Sociopath
“You should have been raised in a home with a family who loved you. Not in a cold lab with doctors
-And yet I turned out great”
The Deceptive World of The Boys: The Creation of Modern Gods
“The Boys”, is a phenomenal and dark superhero show, brilliantly adapting the original comic book series written by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. At its core, it delivers a grotesquely bloody and satirical take on superheroes gone bad. What truly enhances its appeal is the sharp parody of DC heroes turned rogue. Nearly every character in the series serves as a twisted reflection of DC superheroes, adding layers of dark humor and intrigue.
In the world of “The Boys”, superheroes are hailed as modern gods, marketed by Vought, the corporation behind their creation. These “supes” owe their powers to Compound V, a drug that infuses their blood with superhuman abilities. Oblivious to the truth, these heroes are manipulated into believing they are reincarnated saviors destined to protect humanity from evil. However, these so-called gods are nothing more than lab-tested experiments, designed to push the boundaries of human evolution, revealing a dark and twisted reality beneath their heroic façades.
John, better known as Homelander, is the leader of The Seven and is supposedly the pinnacle creation of Vought, envisioned as one of the most powerful American superheroes. Homelander represents Vought’s attempt to replace Soldier Boy and epitomize perfection. Despite being revered as the perfect hero by the public and worshipped by American citizens as a savior, behind the scenes, Homelander’s true nature is revealed — a cruel and apathetic persona. This stark contrast exposes the unforeseen consequences of Vought’s actions. John’s diabolical upbringing, marked by ruthless experiments, ultimately transforms him into the series’ inevitable villain, making him a complex and compelling character to watch.
In this article, we will explore the dark underbelly of superhero creation and the tragic fall of Homelander in this gripping narrative of deception and power.
Wisdom of Ages: Confronting Past Traumas in Episode 4 of Season 4
Episode 4 of Season 4, titled “Wisdom of Ages,” delves deep into the past traumas of every character. Building on the setup from Episode 3, we witness Homelander’s return to the place where he was created and raised by scientists. This pivotal moment in the series uncovers the psychological manipulation John aka Homelander endured, which was designed to keep his human side in check. The episode masterfully explores the dark and twisted experiments that shaped him, providing a haunting look at the origins of one of television’s most complex villains.
Barbara Findley, the head psychologist in charge of Homelander, reveals a chilling truth: despite his physical invincibility, the scientists at Vought had no real control over him. Homelander could have left at any moment, but his fear of disappointing them kept him tethered. Vought’s strategy was to employ top psychologists to nurture and infiltrate his human side, using psychological manipulation to keep him under control. This revelation adds a gripping layer to Homelander’s character, showcasing the sinister lengths Vought went to maintain their hold on him.
Homelander’s constant need for love and approval, appraises from people he considers his family confirms the fact that there is still present inherently humane part alive in him with the desire to be loved be it by women or his son Ryan, underscores his humanity. Despite being the strongest, he remains a human experiment by a ruthless capitalist company seeking to profit from him.
Vogelbaum describes Homelander as a sweet child, full of wonder and passion for the woods. However, subjected to painful and traumatic physical experiments and devoid of parental love, he becomes a vessel of ruthlessness and sociopathy. Episode 4 powerfully illustrates his tragic transformation from an innocent child to a merciless figure, highlighting the devastating effects of Vought’s manipulation.
From lab to limelight
“He has human emotions and I think that’s what’s slowly driving him mad is he’s someone who hates humanity and yet he is one”- Eric Kripke
The showrunner reveals Homelander’s return to the lab in episode 4 “Wisdom of Ages” where he confronts the humane part of him, delving into the childhood trauma, where he was raised under the Project Odyssey. In a crucial attempt to eliminate the human part of himself, confronting his feelings of vulnerability and humanity highlights his constant need for love, a reminder of his human side that drives him toward madness. Despite his disgust for humanity and efforts to suppress these feelings, they have become an inescapable part of him.
Homelander’s childhood trauma significantly shaped his worldview and actions. While many supes had a rough childhood, his was particularly harrowing as he was essentially bred and raised in a lab for the sole reason of replacing Soldier Boy, who was traded to the Soviets. The scientists gave him warmth, but it was far from parental love. As a young boy, he struggled to control his powers, accidentally killing many scientists, which resulted in isolating him in the red room, where he was observed from afar.
As he grew up, Homelander was indoctrinated with patriotic propaganda and subjected to horrific experiments to test the limits of his powers. His reunion with the scientists’ visit back to the red room and the ensuing havoc serves as a reminder to us viewers that his tragic and horrific childhood is the root of his actions.
Descent into madness
“I’d prefer to be loved. I would, but if you take that away from me, being feared is A-one okay dokey by me. So, go ahead, partner. Do it, no? You don’t want to do it now? well, then, I would have to say that you have absolutely no leverage over me, because I am the Homelander, and I can do whatever the fuck I want”
-Homelander to starlight.
This particular dialogue exchange between Homelander and Starlight starkly highlights his sociopathic tendencies and the extent he is willing to go. Which manifests in his relationships with other characters. His manipulation and abuse of fellow superheroes, coupled with the violence he inflicts on them unveils the estrangement from humanity. Homelander’s interactions showcase the extreme lengths he goes to when dealing with perceived threats, making him a terrifying and compelling figure in the series.
Homelander’s upbringing played a major role in shaping his personality and lack of moral values in adulthood. Deliberately deprived of love and care by Vogelbaum to “toughen him,” he was molded into an uncaring, apathetic, and hateful individual. This harsh upbringing explains Homelander’s deep craving to be liked by the public and his possessive behavior in relationships, as he never experienced genuine affection growing up. The absence of a parental figure also triggered behaviors rooted in deep-seated issues, impacting his sexual relationships and his struggles to parent his son, Ryan. Despite his twisted nature, Homelander genuinely wants to comfort and raise Ryan with love, highlighting the complexities of his character.
