The Boys Season 5 Is Hiding the Biggest Threat to Homelander

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Season 5 of The Boys picks up after Homelander seized power, and while he now controls the White House, he’s clearly struggling with the pressure. Though his new government suppresses most opposition, Homelander takes every challenge personally. His constant need for approval continues to drive his actions, and it’s making him increasingly vulnerable. We haven’t yet seen the biggest danger to his rule in the new season. Warning: Spoilers follow for Episodes 1 and 2 of The Boys Season 5.

Homelander is still obsessed with Starlight, and Vought and the White House are counting on her to be the biggest obstacle to their messaging. While Starlight is definitely the most vocal critic of their propaganda, other characters in The Boys actually seem better equipped to take down Homelander – both in terms of physical strength and emotional resilience. In fact, a character who could be key to the fight has been quietly building strength in the first two episodes of the final season, hinting at a major return. Ultimately, the series needs to conclude with Homelander confronting his son.

Ryan Remains the Biggest Threat to Homelander in The Boys Season 5

Season 5 of The Boys will likely center on the conflicts between Homelander, Starlight, and Butcher, but a more significant danger is brewing: Ryan. After learning the truth about his mother, Becca, in Season 4, Ryan fully understands how terrible his father is. This realization leads him to tragically kill Grace and abandon Butcher. His current whereabouts are unknown, making him a hidden threat that Homelander will eventually have to confront.

Ryan isn’t as powerful as Homelander or Soldier Boy yet, due to his age and lack of experience. However, because he shares their abilities and comes from the same lineage, he’ll likely be important in the upcoming battle. He has the potential to help defeat Homelander, and he brings more to the table than just brute strength.

Beyond the physical danger Ryan presents, he has a unique emotional impact on Homelander – something very few characters can achieve. Homelander is at his weakest when he loses control and makes errors, and while anger from opposition can trigger this, it’s actually rejection that truly unravels him, as we saw with Soldier Boy. Ryan has this same effect. Considering Ryan can actually fight back against Homelander and deeply affect him emotionally, he’s a major threat as the season progresses. The first couple of episodes intentionally keep him largely out of sight, building the suspense.

Where Is Ryan in The Boys Season 5? The Early Episodes Keep Him Hidden

Ryan isn’t featured in the first two episodes of The Boys Season 5, and the show doesn’t explain what happened to him after the previous season. The topic comes up briefly when Homelander talks to Sister Sage. He mentions rumors that he injured or killed Ryan, and it’s bothering him. Sage assures him that their story – that Ryan is at boarding school abroad – is still believed, and he shouldn’t be concerned.

Based on what we’ve seen, Homelander and Vought don’t know where Ryan is – meaning he’s still in hiding after the events of Season 4. That makes sense, as he’s likely upset with Homelander and wouldn’t go back to Vought. But he probably doesn’t trust Butcher or the resistance group either. This makes Ryan a unpredictable factor in Season 5, and his eventual reappearance will likely be a key part of the show’s final season.

Ryan’s Return Will Be One of the Most Important Parts of the Final Season

Ryan is still largely a mystery at the start of Season 5 of The Boys, but his eventual return will be crucial to the show’s final storyline. The trailer shows him coming back, and he appears visibly upset. His relationships with both Butcher and Homelander are at an all-time low, though he seems more likely to reconnect with Butcher. Throughout Season 4, Ryan was increasingly disturbed by Homelander’s actions, and now that he understands the truth about his father, it’s hard to imagine them finding common ground. Ryan could be a powerful ally in the fight against Homelander, and potentially even take Vought’s place as a major power player. However, it’s unclear if that’s what Ryan wants, or even what’s best for the world of The Boys. Despite being absent for now, it would be a mistake to underestimate his importance.

Could Ryan be a real challenge to Homelander? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-04-10 22:43