In a final six episode season, The Umbrella Academy faces the tough job of wrapping up a Netflix series filled with complex characters and an even more tangled storyline featuring superpowers, aliens, time travel, altered timelines, and numerous apocalypses. That's without even starting on the family at the heart of the show.
As anticipated, all six episodes are filled with this drama, with personal turmoil and long-held grudges exacerbated by the fact that, following the events of season three, the Hargreeves siblings: Robert Sheehan as Klaus, Emmy Raver-Lampman as Allison, Tom Hopper as Luther, Aidan Gallagher as Five, Elliot Page as Viktor, and David Castañeda as Diego, have lost their powers. Although we see the characters in their normal human forms, their abilities are soon restored. The Umbrella Academy consistently revolves around the characters' frantic efforts to avert an impending apocalypse. Season four follows this pattern as well, and having superpowers proves useful when the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
It appears that the reset of the Hotel Oblivion timeline caused more disruption than merely stripping the Hargreeves siblings of their superpowers. The universe’s cohesion has become so fragile that artifacts from other timelines are surfacing, drawing the attention of a conspiracy-driven group called the Keepers. Identified by tattoos that feature inverted versions of The Umbrella Academy logo, the Keepers are led by the folksy couple Gene and Jean, played by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally.
One of the standout features of The Umbrella Academy has always been its blend of vastly different personalities within a family dynamic. The skilled cast tackles the sharp script with either deadpan nihilism or uproarious sincerity; for instance, Allison's heartfelt delivery of “I’m sorry you left Canada for this” in a tense moment is a perfect example of the show’s charm.
Season 4 is set during the holidays for some reason, which means that every scene is adorned with twinkling lights and a touch of whimsy, even amidst the chaos of bullets and blood. This festive backdrop gives the entire season the vibe of a six-episode Christmas special, creating a surreal, holiday-themed farewell that unites and bids goodbye to the Hargreeves in the most unconventional way possible.
After four seasons of truly unpredictable twists, a captivating cast, stunning set and costume design, The Umbrella Academy has made viewers feel like part of the family. Season 4, though brief and delightfully chaotic, provides a spectacular farewell.
