The Boys Creator Reveals the Hidden ‘Net Positive’ Behind Homelander’s Dark Metaphor

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Homelander, both in the TV show The Boys and the original comic books, is a disturbing mirror of today’s most flawed leaders. But according to the show’s creator, Eric Kripke, there’s still a hopeful message to be found even in such a frightening character.

The recent episode of The Boys, “Though The Heavens Fall,” featured the superhero Homelander building a golden statue of himself in a church and demanding to be worshipped as a messiah. This felt strikingly similar to a real-life event when Donald Trump unveiled a 15-foot golden statue of himself, nicknamed “Don Colossus,” at his Miami golf resort. The timing of the statue’s reveal was so coincidental that the show’s creator, Eric Kripke, expressed his astonishment on social media.

Even though it makes our work more challenging, there’s a good side to it. Seeing the statue of [Trump] sparked people to share images of Homelander, which is encouraging them to think critically and draw comparisons. It’s allowing them to recognize and mock the behavior of this extreme, amoral character, and have something to share alongside it for comedic effect. Ultimately, that might be a positive outcome.

The show’s creator explained the decision to make Homelander’s statue gold, referencing the biblical golden calf. They emphasized that Homelander isn’t a real god, but a false one, and the religious devotion to him is harmful and corrupting. Beyond the symbolism, they also pointed out Homelander’s fondness for flashy, ‘tacky’ gold objects, drawing a parallel to the controversial displays of support around statues of former President Trump.

While Homelander represents a broad symbol of the United States, he also embodies the characteristics of controversial leaders and figures throughout history, regardless of their cultural background.

Eric Kripke Wants The Boys’ Politics To Be ‘Bigger’ and ‘Crazier’

The show The Boys doesn’t shy away from making pointed statements about society and current events. It’s full of thought-provoking ideas that encourage viewers to really look at the world around them. While the show’s creator, Kripke, admits the symbolism is clear, he believes the core message remains strong and consistent.

Kripke admitted the show might seem over-the-top given the state of the world, but emphasized its consistently anti-establishment message. He found the idea of separating politics from work hypocritical, especially for a show so inherently political. Over the past seven years, he believes the show has proven it doesn’t actually change anything; in fact, things have arguably gotten worse. This suggests the show isn’t achieving its intended purpose, whatever that may be.

The similarities between Homelander and Donald Trump are deliberate, according to creator Eric Kripke. While Homelander embodies terror, Kripke hopes the show will channel that negativity into a desire for positive change. Kripke explains that if the show makes viewers even slightly question their leaders – noticing parallels between Homelander’s claims of being the only savior and the rhetoric of real-world figures – that’s a good thing. He believes it can be comforting for those feeling overwhelmed by current events, reminding them they’re not alone in their concerns and that it’s the world, not them, that’s ‘crazy.’ Ultimately, the show aims to foster a sense of shared experience and validation.

The Boys Season 5 ends on May 19 in theaters and on May 20 on streaming.

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2026-05-19 20:41