As The Boys heads toward a showdown with Homelander in Season 5, it’s becoming clear that Butcher might be the true antagonist of the series. Warning: Spoilers ahead for Season 5, Episodes 1-4. In the latest episode, the team travels to Fort Harmony, hoping to locate the V1 serum that Homelander is after. However, a superpowered individual named Bombsight finds it first. This, combined with the volatile abilities of another V1-enhanced supe named Quinn, causes major conflict within the group, leading to arguments and even physical altercations among the main characters.
Even though Hughie and Kimiko have intense arguments and honest moments that might not lead to a happy ending for them, Butcher’s actions suggest he’s on a dangerous path toward becoming a true villain before the series ends. Butcher has always been the most unpredictable member of the team, and he’s increasingly mirroring Homelander’s behavior with each season. The ending of Season 4 specifically shows him giving in to his darker impulses, prioritizing them over his better nature. He’s definitely crossed the line into villainous territory, and I now believe he’ll be the ultimate enemy The Boys have to face, potentially even more so than Homelander.
The Boys Season 5, Episode 4 Cements Butcher as a Villain on Par With Homelander
From the start of The Boys, Butcher is presented as a dangerous man driven by revenge and unable to see shades of gray. But as the series progresses, those negative traits become even more pronounced, especially in Season 5, Episode 4. In “King of Hell,” Butcher reveals to Mother’s Milk that their real goal is to destroy the V1, not use it to help Starlight and Kimiko. When Hughie overhears this conversation and confronts Butcher, it’s difficult to disagree with his harsh words. Despite initially believing there was still good in Butcher, Hughie finally admits, “If there was anything human left in you, it’s gone.” And when Hughie calls him a monster, Butcher chillingly responds, “Maybe I prefer it that way.”
Butcher doesn’t even react when Hughie accuses him of being just as terrible as Homelander, or even worse – a strong indication that he’s become the very monster he set out to defeat. He proves this further by attacking Hughie, showing he no longer cares about protecting the few people he once valued. Hughie’s observations, combined with Butcher’s actions, strongly suggest Butcher is becoming the main villain. While a twist, it’s a predictable outcome given his choices in the later episodes of Season 4.
Butcher Becoming the Villain Was Inevitable After The Boys Season 4’s Ending
While the ending of The Boys Season 4 didn’t necessarily make Butcher the ultimate villain, it definitely set him on a path to becoming as dangerous as Homelander. He started prioritizing his darker instincts – embodied by Joe Kessler – over the original reason he sought revenge: his wife, Becca. He’s now beyond redemption, even ignoring the memory of his promise to her, suggesting he’s crossed a line he can’t come back from.
Butcher’s willingness to exploit and even harm Ryan and his teammates in Season 5 of The Boys shows just how much he’s changed. Hughie is right – the things that used to guide Butcher’s sense of right and wrong no longer matter to him. In his obsession with killing Homelander, he’s lost the last bits of goodness within himself. Because both Butcher and Homelander represent dangerous extremes, it’s fitting that they both need to be stopped. Having Butcher be the ultimate villain would also stay true to the original comic book storyline.
Butcher Being the Final Villain Would Be Semi-Accurate to the Comics
While the show The Boys hasn’t always followed the comic books closely, it could still draw inspiration from the source material for its ending. A key element from the comics is Butcher ultimately becoming the main antagonist, which aligns with the original story. Warning: Spoilers ahead for the The Boys comics! In the comics, Black Noir actually kills Homelander, with a twist involving him being a clone – something the show can’t replicate. However, after Butcher survives a confrontation with Homelander, he embarks on a mission to eliminate all supes, mirroring his goal in the TV series.
In the comics, Butcher tragically kills members of his own team – including Mother’s Milk, Frenchie, and the original Female – while trying to achieve his objectives. He’s ultimately stopped and killed by Hughie. Recent events in Season 5, Episode 4 of the Prime Video series suggest the show might follow this storyline. Hughie and Butcher are increasingly at odds, and Butcher has already demonstrated a willingness to betray his allies, making this outcome seem plausible.
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2026-04-28 04:12