The hit Amazon Prime series The Boys has long been a dark and cynical satire of superhero culture. Over its first three seasons, the show has parodied nearly every aspect of American politics, culture, and society, often skewering both left and right ideologies with sharp wit. Yet, in a turn of events that has caught many by surprise, conservative viewers are only just now realizing that the show has been mocking them all along—and they’re not happy about it.
In an ironic twist, MAGA fans are up in arms, only now beginning to see how The Boys has been a critique of their values, politics, and personalities. The series, based on the graphic novels by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, centers on a world where superheroes—referred to as “supes”—are corrupt, power-hungry, and morally bankrupt. Instead of the typical do-gooder image of superheroes, The Boys portrays them as entities who represent everything from corporate greed to unchecked political power.
A large portion of the show’s biting satire is aimed at American politics, especially right-wing figures and ideologies. While viewers may have been aware of the show’s critical stance towards many aspects of society, it seems that many conservatives have only just come to realize the extent to which they are the target of the show’s humor. In particular, The Boys Season 4, which recently premiered on Amazon Prime Video, introduces a new character named Firecracker—a far-right political commentator with ties to conspiracy theories.
Firecracker, played by Valorie Curry, quickly becomes a lightning rod for controversy. In Season 4, she is shown attending a conspiracy theorist convention where she spouts absurd and dangerously misguided ideas. One of her most bizarre claims is that the superhero Starlight is running a “satanic home delivery service,” offering absurd services like hot dogs in exchange for “boys” and tacos for “girls.” She also accuses Starlight of forcing children to undergo “trans surgery” and claims to have been attacked by “deep state operatives” aligned with the “evil woke followers” who are apparently out to destroy the country.
This over-the-top character and her conspiracy-laden rhetoric are clear allusions to figures like QAnon believers, right-wing media personalities, and, most notably, far-right political figures such as Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. In an interview with Variety, The Boys creator Eric Kripke confirmed that Firecracker was indeed inspired by Greene, whose inflammatory rhetoric and allegiance to former President Donald Trump have made her a divisive figure in American politics.
According to Kripke, Firecracker represents the latest iteration of a trend that began with the character Homelander, the Superman-like figure who embodies toxic masculinity, authoritarianism, and the dark side of celebrity culture. “You had Trump, but now you have these Trump spawn that are trying to outdo each other for how outrageous and sexualized and gun-toting and slavishly obedient they can be,” Kripke explained. Firecracker, in this light, is a natural extension of Homelander’s cult of personality—an exaggerated, outlandish figure who plays on the most extreme fears and conspiracy theories circulating among right-wing circles.
Despite this clear depiction, many conservatives seemed oblivious to the show’s intent, or perhaps simply ignored it, until now. With the character of Firecracker making such a bold, over-the-top entrance, some MAGA viewers are expressing outrage and disbelief, now realizing that the show has been mocking them all along. These reactions have sparked a wave of commentary on social media, where conservatives have lambasted The Boys for its apparent liberal bias, accusing it of attacking conservative values and personalities.
Others, however, have been quick to poke fun at these angry reactions, mocking the realization that it took so long for some viewers to understand the show’s satire. As one might expect, the backlash has been both loud and predictable, with many conservatives claiming the show is “anti-American” and “woke.”
But while these complaints may be entertaining to some, they also highlight an important cultural shift. The growing anger from conservative audiences reflects how the political climate in the U.S. has increasingly become a battleground for media narratives. In many ways, The Boys offers a commentary on how extreme rhetoric, fueled by conspiracy theories and fearmongering, has crept into mainstream politics, transforming what was once entertainment into a reflection of real-world tensions.
The latest season of The Boys may have finally gotten under the skin of conservative viewers, but its creators are not backing down. Eric Kripke and the show’s writers are unapologetic about using their platform to speak truth to power—whether that power is political, corporate, or celebrity. They have made it clear that the show will continue to explore these dark themes, using satire as a tool to dissect society’s most uncomfortable truths.
In the end, The Boys isn’t just a show about superheroes—it’s a commentary on the corruption of power, the dangers of blind allegiance, and the rise of authoritarianism. And if conservatives are just now realizing they’ve been the target of much of the show’s satire, it’s perhaps time to take a step back and reconsider the messages they’ve been supporting in real life.
As for the fans who are angry at the show’s portrayal of their beliefs? Well, it looks like The Boys will only continue to poke fun at them, one season at a time. The more they resist, the more the show’s creators seem determined to expose the absurdities of the modern political landscape.
