'The Boys' season 5 can avoid the biggest problem with 'Stranger Things' final season

As The Boys heads toward its final episodes, fans are hoping the hit superhero satire avoids one of the most common criticisms leveled at Stranger Things’ final season: saving too much of the story for the very end.

According to ScreenRant, one of the biggest complaints about Stranger Things Season 5 was that the show spent too much time on side plots and character detours, leaving some viewers feeling that the central conflict with Vecna did not receive enough attention until the final episodes. That concern has led some fans to worry that The Boys could face a similar issue as it balances its sprawling cast, major character arcs and setup for future spinoffs.

Showrunner Eric Kripke has pushed back against criticism that Season 5 contains “filler,” arguing that the quieter episodes are essential for emotional payoff. Kripke said the series has always focused on character development and political satire, not just nonstop action, and insisted that the final season is building toward meaningful and transformative moments.

Unlike some large-scale finales, The Boys is expected to centre on direct confrontations rather than massive CGI battles. Kripke has previously said the show does not have the budget for a full Avengers: Endgame-style spectacle, but promised that fans will still get the character clashes they have been waiting to see, including the long-brewing showdown between Billy Butcher and Homelander.

At the same time, Season 5 has also introduced story elements tied to the upcoming prequel Vought Rising, prompting debate among fans over whether the final season is spending too much time setting up the franchise’s future. Some viewers on Reddit have compared this to finales that lose focus by prioritizing spin-offs over delivering closure to the main story.

The key difference may be pacing. With only a handful of episodes left, The Boys still has time to resolve its central conflict while giving its major characters meaningful endings. If Kripke delivers on his promise of significant deaths and emotionally satisfying conclusions, the series could avoid the criticism that has followed other high-profile finales.

For longtime viewers, the hope is that The Boys stays focused on the story that began with Hughie, Butcher and Homelander rather than getting distracted by future projects. If it does, the show may succeed where many fan-favorite series have stumbled and deliver a finale worthy of its reputation.