10 Theories About Why Homelander Is Covered In Blood In The Boys Season 4

Homelander is covered in blood in The Boys season 4 trailer, and there’s yet to be any explanation as to why. Anthony Starr’s character is shown with an unreadable expression after looking to have been involved in, or at least witness to, a violent altercation in The Boys season 4 trailer. The reason for his crimson-soaked skin, hair, and super-suit has yet to be revealed, but various possible scenarios could explain how it happened.

Some The Boys season 4 theories inevitably involve Homelander’s propensity for violence and his trademark emotional instability, but the real reason could be much darker than that. Homelander is one of the most unpredictable TV characters, and he tends to subvert expectations just as it seems his next move is obvious. Whatever the reason for Homelander’s bloodbath, it’s likely to have added to his string of atrocities.

10 Homelander Finally Kills Billy Butcher

The two have faced off before

The Boys season 3 featured a long-awaited battle between Butcher and Homelander. With Solider Boy’s assistance, Butcher almost successfully vanquishes his nemesis once and for all. However, all three combatants escaped with their lives. Now, Butcher’s health has taken a hit due to his abuse of Compound V, so he’s terminally ill and weaker than ever. If the two men were to come into close quarters again, Homelander would want payback, and this time, he’d want it to be definitive. That said, having such a massive moment “spoiled” in the very first trailer seems unlikely.

9 Someone Kills Homelander’s Son

His paternal instincts would take over

Homelander’s son, Ryan Butcher, originally didn’t like his father, but that has changed as of The Boys season 3’s ending. Ryan’s powers have only just started to manifest, and so he’s inexperienced when it comes to battle. If Ryan is killed in combat, then the rage that’s constantly simmering beneath Homelander’s skin will explode to the surface, sending him on a rampage that may be unstoppable.

8 He’s Nearby When Victoria Neuman Uses Her Powers

Her abilities are messy

Neuman’s powers involve the manipulation of blood, and an extension of this ability is her talent for exploding people’s heads. The process certainly leaves its mark, and for all of Homelander’s power, even he can’t avoid being coated in blood if he’s too close to proceedings. Neuman tends to resort to such extreme measures to further her agenda, so the question remains of who the unfortunate soul could be.

7 Marie Monreau Tries To Fight Him Again

They’ve already met in Gen V

Those familiar with Gen V, the spin-off show of The Boys, will already be aware of Marie Monreau. Marie Monreau’s powers are similar to those of Neuman’s, although Marie tends to slice her palms and weaponize her blood rather than manipulate that of other people. This doesn’t make her fighting style any less messy than Neuman’s, as her sanguine ropes inevitably leave behind bloodstains. A second run-in with Homelander would push Marie’s skills to the limit, and her opponent would be left in a state like he’s shown in The Boys season 4 trailer.

6 Homelander Flies Through Someone

Something similar happened in The Boys season 1

Although it can be easy to jump to the conclusion of intentional violence with a character like Homelander, the act that caused his appearance in the trailer could have been an accident. In the very first episode of The Boys, Hughie Campbell’s girlfriend, Robin, comes to a grisly end when A-Train accidentally runs right through her. This goes to show that Supes can be careless with their powers, and accidents can happen. A-Train showed very little remorse for what he did to Robin, so Homelander could be just as likely to bypass the guilt.

5 Homelander Loses His Cool With Ashley Barrett

He has called her dispensable in the past

Homelander’s interactions with Ashley in The Boys have so far been fraught with tension. He makes no secret of the fact that she is the CEO of Vaught only because he allows it and that he is the one who is pulling the strings. Homelander’s frustration with Ashley could boil over in season 4, leading him to violently dispose of her once and for all. The Boys season 4 trailer also shows him in what looks to be an elevator, which he commonly uses in Vaught Tower where Ashley is stationed, despite his ability to fly.

4 The Boys Season 4 Scene Was Part Of A Vought Movie

It could be a new installment of the VCU

Although he has a lot on his plate, Homelander still values his place in the spotlight. Vought Industries allows him to maintain his public profile, and starring in their cinematic universe is an effective way of doing so, even if it is scripted. Although being covered in blood is arguably unsuitable for a superhero movie, Homelander has already shown his dark side to the public.

The Boys season 3 ending saw a civilian throw something at Homelander’s son, causing the enraged father to cut down the aggressor before a group of witnesses. Instead of disapproval, Homelander received rapturous applause for the act. The approval from the public of the violent paternal reaction could cause the Vought Cinematic Universe to explore grittier avenues.

3 Homelander Finally Meets His Match

The blood could be his own

Until now, Homelander has remained the strongest Supe in the universe of The Boys. A new character could enter the fray in The Boys season 4 whose own abilities surpass those of the caped psychopath. Maeve hurts Homelander in the season 3 finale, but it’s rare for anyone to be able to do so, as it takes a great deal of power to draw even a little of Homelander’s blood. A character that can cause the level of implied damage to Vought’s poster boy in the trailer will be feared by all.

2 Homelander Could Completely Snap

He is a very unstable man

The Boys has shown Homelander’s fragile nature on multiple occasions, and he’s always seemingly on the brink of going past the point of no return. Since he killed Madelyn Stillwell, no one has managed to recapture the ability to keep him truly under control. Everyone is constantly dancing around Homelander to keep him content. All it would take is the right trigger, and Homelander’s tenuous control of his rage would slip, resulting in a deadly rampage that no one can stop.

1 The Boys Season 4 Trailer Shows A Dream Sequence

Trailers can be misleading

Although presenting a dream sequence as actual events could be said to be misleading, the purpose of a trailer is to generate excitement, and the speculation surrounding the shot has certainly contributed to the anticipation of the show’s return. If the blood-soaked Homelander is just part of his evil musings, his inner workings are a relevant part of the debate.

It wouldn’t be the first time The Boys has used a dream sequence, as seen when Homelander pictured himself killing the protestors. Homelander is covered in an awful lot of blood for a single kill. The shot could be taken from a twisted dream sequence where Homelander fantasizes about killing multiple people once again.