Is Antony Starr’s Homelander the New King of Villains? Fans Certainly Think So

ByHrvoje Milakovic Posted on
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Antony Starr, portraying Homelander on Amazon Prime Video’s ‘The Boys,’ has been widely praised for his role. This character has shown a different kind of villainy that feels very real and unsettling, tapping into themes of prejudice and manipulation. Many viewers believe Starr’s portrayal might even surpass Heath Ledger’s iconic Joker from ‘The Dark Knight.’ Unlike Ledger’s 33 minutes of screen time, Starr benefits from multiple seasons to develop his character, giving him a deeper dive into complexity.

Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker is legendary. With just a half-hour on screen, he left a permanent mark on cinema, embodying chaos and anarchy so well that he won an Oscar. His portrayal is often seen as the pinnacle of comic book movie villains.

On television, superhero shows have blossomed since the mid-2010s, introducing us to some memorable bad guys. But it’s Starr’s Homelander that really stands out. I think he’s given the best villain performance we’ve seen on TV in this superhero era. Some of the fans even rate him higher than Ledger’s Joker, which is saying a lot.

There’s also buzz around Antony Starr potentially joining the new DC universe being shaped by James Gunn. This came about after Starr and Gunn connected on social media. Starr himself expressed excitement about what Gunn will bring to the DC universe, praising him as one of the industry’s brightest minds.

Comparing TV and film, each medium offers its own advantages for character development. TV allows for more extended growth, much like Mads Mikkelsen’s Hannibal, which is why characters like Homelander can be explored in depth. However, characters like Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal in film are still highly regarded, despite having less screen time.

The debate continues on which medium and which performances resonate more with audiences. For many, it comes down to personal preference in how they like their villains served up—quick and impactful or slow and simmering.

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