Gen V, which is the first live-action spin-off series of the Prime video hit superhero series The Boys, has debuted to a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. The show is currently 100 percent certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with 25 reviews. Critics have praised the show for maintaining the same tone as its parents’ series. While also breathing new air into the budding franchise.
Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky wrote: “It fits into the world of The Boys perfectly. But still feels like its own thing. Unafraid to dive into blood and gore, as well as political and social issues. Fans will fall in love with these new characters and love the cameos.”
Kimberly Ricci of Uproxx also said: “Like the original, this spinoff is subversive and giddy and full of characters worth caring about. As they cope with a deluge of bodily fluids that confirms that, yes, this is very much The Boys territory.”
“Energized by the same go-for-broke creativity, sharp social commentary, and puerile R-rated sense of humor as its big TV brother. It reconfirms that this franchise remains the comic book genre’s only consistently imaginative player.” The Daily Beast reviewer, Nick Schager.
Alison Herman of Variety stated that: “Gen V” retains the edge, cynicism, and (aptly) adolescent humor that make its parent show tick, suggesting “The Boys” is far from the creative fatigue now plaguing juggernauts like the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Gen V follows a group of teenage superheroes as they pursue higher education at Godolkin University. The series cast includes Jaz Sinclair, Lizze Broadway, Chance Perdomo, Shelley Conn, London Thor. As well as Maddie Phillips, Derek Luh, Asa Germann, Sean Patrick Thomas, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Clancy Brown, and Marco Pigossi. It also features special cameos by some actors from The Boys, including Jensen Ackles, Jessie T. Usher, Colby Minifie, and Chace Crawford, among others.
The Boys creator Eric Kripke explained the connection between the two shows, saying, “There’s definitely crossover, and we’re doing our best to design a universe that sees some of the issues and storylines in Season 3 hand off to the first season in Varsity.” He further said, “Like there’s a presidential campaign happening in the background of that season. And there’s certain things that are happening at that school that are both in reaction to Season 3 of The Boys. There’s Soldier Boy, etcetera. But also some new storylines that are happening in that season of the spinoff that we have to pick up and take into Season 4 of the show.”
Gen V will premiere on Sept. 29, 2023, with the debut of its first three episodes. New episodes will follow every Friday until the season finale on Nov. 3.