What Happened in the Finale of 'The Boys' Season 5, Explained

Episode 8, the final episode of Season 5 of The Boys, aired on May 20. The ending promised to be bold and unpredictable, but showrunner Eric Kripke had other plans.

Here, we break down the finale's key events and predict what's to come.

What Was 'The Boys' Season 5 About?

In Season 4, Homelander rose to power and sent dissenters to prison camps. The Boys reunited and created a virus that only affected superpowers.

However, Homelander found a cure – the V1 serum – that would make him immortal. He spent the entire season searching for it, demanding to be called a god, and killing those who dissented. Meanwhile, the Boys searched for a way to stop him.

What Happened in 'The Boys' Season 5 Final Episode?

The final episode opens with Frenchie's funeral. Kimiko rejects attempts at consolation and Ryan refuses to live with Homelander.

The Boys plan to infiltrate the White House through the tunnels, and Ashley helps them escape a trap. Along the way, they encounter the Deep, who wants to kill Starlight to gain his boss' favor.

Starlight throws him into the ocean, where the denizens of the deep punish him for his betrayal.

At the White House, Butcher and Kimiko interrupt Homelander's speech, and Ryan thwarts his escape. Kimiko uses her newfound powers, and Homelander turns into an ordinary human.

Ryan and Butcher are also left without their superpowers. Butcher beats Homelander, and the footage is broadcast live. The depowered tyrant begs for mercy, and Butcher brutally kills him, finally avenging Rebecca.

After his victory, Ryan refuses to live with Butcher, deeming him a bad person. Butcher learns of the death of his dog, Terror. He takes a vial containing the superhuman-destroying virus and sets out to spread it.

Hughie tries to stop him and shoots Butcher in a fight. Butcher dies and the Boys bury Butcher next to Becca.

Hughie rejects the offer to head the Bureau of Superhuman Affairs and instead opens an electronics store, where a pregnant Starlight awaits him. Ultimately, it is revealed that she continues to fight crime by his side.

What Went Wrong with 'The Boys' Finale?

Over the years, The Boys has achieved cult status, but its fifth season was, frankly, weak. On IMDb, the final season has the lowest average episode rating, with the final episode receiving a 6.4.

Viewers criticized the finale for its abundance of filler, stagnant plot, and repetitive and hasty character arcs. Sister Sage simply rides off into the sunset, the Gen V characters don't play a significant role in the finale, and Homelander's fate differs from that in the original comics – and not for the better.

The final episodes don't evoke strong emotions – they're predictable and even compromising. The showdown between Butcher, The Boys, and Homelander is underwhelming, it feels too low-budget and intimate for such a large-scale project.

The creators failed to conclude the hit series successfully, and The Boys has joined the list of cult shows with disappointing endings.

What Other Projects in 'The Boys' Universe Are There to Wait For?

The franchise will expand with a spin-off titled The Boys: Mexico in development.

Another project in development is Vought Rising, a prequel about the origins of Soldier Boy and Stormfront. The premiere is scheduled for early 2027.