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Netflix users are outraged over the “terrible” fourth and final season of The Umbrella Academy.
The show’s final episode was released on the streaming service on Thursday (August 8), one month after showrunner Steve Blackman denied allegations of harmful behavior on set, but fans weren’t happy with what they saw.
While the series received rave reviews for its first three seasons, fans have been unanimous in their criticism of the final episode, expressing intense disappointment on social media.
Season 4 has received a 61 percent rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, but only a 17 percent rating from audiences.
“What the hell happened?” one fan wrote, adding: “The first 3 seasons were great. Did they change writers or something? The final season was awful.”
Another added: “So awful I wish I’d never watched it. A total disparagement of the characters I’ve loved for years. Disgusting and disappointing.”
One fan said the final season “will go down as one of the most disappointing show endings in history.”
Many complained that the final season was shortened to just five episodes, and also questioned the “totally unnecessary” romance that developed between Five and Laila, played by Aidan Gallagher and Ritu Arya.
This storyline is just one of countless moments where fans have said the show didn’t take into account its characters’ trajectory over the past three seasons, with many saying the final season “ruined” what they initially loved about the show.
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“Whatever that atrocity between Five and Lyla was, an apology is needed from the writers of The Umbrella Academy… I’m shaking like crazy right now,” said one confused viewer, while another commented on X/Twitter: “Season 4 is not who they are or what they used to be. Blame it on terrible writing decisions.”
Another person who disliked Five and Lila’s storyline was cast member Dan Castañeda, who plays Diego, who is married to Lila.
“I didn’t understand it. It made me angry,” Castañeda told Us Weekly about the infamous plot twist. “It made me angry. Steve[Blackman]and I had a few conversations about it. I was like, ‘Dude, does this really have to happen?'”
Adapted by Blackman from the comic book series by My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way, The Umbrella Academy follows an adopted family of superhero siblings.
Starring Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, Emmy Raver-Lampman and Robert Sheehan.
The Umbrella Academy is currently streaming on Netflix.
