How Homelander Could Die in The Boys

Key Takeaways

• Billy Butcher’s ultimate goal is to defeat Homelander, and season 5 will see their final confrontation.
• Ryan, Homelander’s son, could be the key to stopping his father’s tyranny with his similar powers and healthy mindset.
• A secret virus targeting supers with Compound V and a potential clone of Homelander may also play a role in his downfall.

The main goal of Billy Butcher has always been to blow Homelander out of the sky and rid the world of its most dominant and evil supe. Ever since season 1 of The Boys, this has been Butcher’s and the other characters’ wish. Homelander must be stopped for the betterment of mankind, and even other heroes. Yet, how does one exactly take out a man as powerful and evil as Homelander?

Season 5 will end the dance of Butcher and Homelander, and the finale of The Boys is definitely going to see this scorched Earth that they have agreed on. Whether Butcher dies or Homelander does, there are plenty of ways to kill Homelander that could bring an end to his tyranny.

Potential spoilers ahead for The BoysUpdated on November 5, 2024, by Jake Fillery: As The Boys nears its final season, Homelander will inevitably be dealt with one way or another. The previous season had Homelander essentially assuming the most powerful position in America as the President of the United States, adding further complications to killing him. Yet, The Boys have always been rather cunning, and there are a few ways that could still prove lethal to Homelander when it comes to taking him out of the game for good.

8 A Poisonous Supply of Milk

Homelander’s Weakness Could Be His Undoing

One of Homelander’s more deprived and worst-kept desires is his love of fresh milk, and his favorite doesn’t come from oats or cows. Homelander has been happily drinking a supply from Firecracker, and he will never suspect foul play due to how much he adores the substance.

There could easily be a way to poison Firecracker to make a botched supply that would enter Homelander’s bloodstream and effectively deal with his insides. Since Homelander always wants a dairy product, it’s not going to be difficult to make his own version of kryptonite to take him out for good.

7 Butcher’s New Powers

A Promise of Scorched Earth Fulfilled

It’s safe to say that Billy Butcher has gone off the deep end, even further than what was once thought. Butcher’s betrayal of his former allies shows that this is a one-man war against the most dangerous man on the planet, and it’s not one he intends to lose.

Butcher’s embrace of his dark side allows him to be fully healed and immensely strong, sprouting tentacles that are strong enough to rip apart anyone, super or otherwise. With these newfound powers and a desire for super genocide, it might mean a one-versus-one against Homelander is on the cards.

6 A Superhero Revolt

All Superheroes Band Together To Take Out Their Oppressive Leader

There are barely a handful of superheroes that are brave enough to stand up to Homelander directly. Doing so would be suicide, as he is so strong that there’s just no stopping him. Yet, that’s exactly where superheroes are wrong, since if they ignored their acting gigs and PR stunts, and all teamed together, they could easily have a shot of taking him out for good and ending his oppressive reign.

Superheroes are inherently selfish in The Boys, so it’s highly unlikely that a revolt against Homelander will take place, where they will see all the harm he has caused to their kind. The likes of Queen Maeve, Starlight, and Soldier Boy have almost bested him before, so with more numbers, there may be a way to win.

5 Ryan Makes A Stand

Homelander’s Son, Ryan, Uses Equal Powers For Good

There’s simply nobody stronger than Homelander. At least, not yet. Homelander’s son, Ryan, has all of the same powers, but instead, a healthy childhood that has helped him to see that he should help people less fortunate and powerful than himself. Ryan has instilled that with great power, must also come great responsibility, even if Homelander tries to manipulate that mantra out of him, he can’t.

Ryan could easily stand up for the world as its first truly decent and ultimately powerful superhero, and take out his father. It would be poetic to see Ryan stand up to Homelander after all these years, and he’s the one person who probably could.

4 The Super Virus

A Secret Virus That Only Targets Those With Compound V In Their System

Compound V is the source of all things that have terrorized Billy Butcher. Yet, now he has a chance to change things for good. Billy Butcher has found the man responsible for manufacturing a virus for Vought which is capable of taking out only supers with V in their blood. As such, one strong enough to kill Homelander is a top priority.

The super virus that kills those with Compound V is definitely going to come into play down the line, but how and when is unknown. Would it feel good to see Homelander finally get taken out by a virus, or is there another fate that would be better for this diabolical hero?

3 A Secret Clone

The Ultimate Contingency Plan

Those who have read The Boys comic will know that Homelander’s fate is sealed by his own clone, who just so happens to be Black Noir. The Amazon Prime version of The Boys has made it pretty clear that they are not going the clone route, but it still could be a surprise to keep down the line. After all, Homelander was created with Soldier Boy’s DNA, so why shouldn’t they replicate that success?

It would seem foolish for Vought not to have a contingency for Homelander, so a secret clone may be on the cards, especially one who was created for the sole purpose of killing Homelander if he even went off the deep end, which he clearly has at this point.

2 A Super Lobotomy

Homelander’s Invulnerable, But His Insides Aren’t

In the season 3 finale, Queen Maeve managed to make Homelander bleed by injuring the interior of his ear. This should be given more attention, as Homelander might have bulletproof skin, but who’s to say that his insides are ultra-durable? If Homelander has a weakness in his ear, it could allow even the weakest supes to get through to him with enough force.

Homelander could be taken out passively, much like how Sister Sage can lobotomize herself. If someone is able to get into his ear, whether using zinc or simply a metal rod, then he could very easily be taken out and left in a passive state, trapped inside his own scrambled brain.

1 Suicide

Homelander Is Unable To Take The Pressure And Takes His Own Life

Homelander is a sensitive and fragile boy at heart, and there have been many instances over the years where his need for approval has made him appear weak and easy to break. Whether it was due to his lack of intelligence and pressure into something he knew he couldn’t handle, or simply the idea that he just isn’t good enough, there are plenty of reasons for Homelander’s mind to fracture more than it already has.

It would make sense if Homelander decided to follow his own rules and mantra on how he can do whatever he wants, so he decides to go out on his own terms. After all, if the world is against Homelander, he might just fly himself out to space and see how long it takes for the cold embrace of nothingness to take him.