Fourth Season of 'The Umbrella Academy' Reviews: "an emotionally charged final episode concludes this show with a bittersweet farewell to the family of heroes"

         On August 8, 2024, Netflix released the fourth season of 'The Umbrella Academy', which as received a mixed reception from critics, currently holding at 58% on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a Critics Consensus that reads, "Getting the band back together for one last haphazard race to the finish, The Umbrella Academy's fourth season rains on the series' parade a bit while still offering some sweet grace notes." Picking up where the third season left off as the Guardians were defeated by our heroes and a newly rebuilt universe being created as the group goes its separate ways. Naturally, the group must reconvene in this final season in one final adventure. The ensemble cast includes Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, Adam Godley, Cameron Britton, Justin H. Min, and Ritu Arya. But what exactly did the critics say?

       Andrew Murray of The Upcoming notes, "Though The Umbrella Academy’s fourth season doesn’t match the same high energy of previous seasons, an emotionally charged final episode concludes this show with a bittersweet farewell to the family of heroes." Adding, "Some years after the heroes found themselves in a new timeline without their powers, this series’ events are set in motion when the family are tasked with finding a man’s missing daughter (Victoria Marie Sawal). From here, the gang run into excentric cult leaders named Gene and Jean (Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally) and discover yet another world-ending catastrophe they must avert. With the family splitting up to get entangled in their own subplots, it’s all very familiar territory for fans. Whereas the previous seasons had no shortage of standout moments and memorable set-pieces to keep the formula feeling fresh, there aren’t any sequences here which rival the memorable moments from the show’s past."

        Romey Norton of Film Focus Online writes, "The Umbrella Academy is a mind-blowing, wild-ride, with a twisted story and amazing soundtrack. The final season is filled with the families classic nonsense, shenanigans, and drama; making sure the series goes out with a bang."

        Johnny Loftus of Decider says, "Megan Mullaly and Nick Offerman are immediately perfect additions for season 4 of Umbrella Academy – their whole look, peculiar couples’ energy, and knack for random violence feels transmitted from the Fargo black comedy universe." Continuing, "Come on, the six-episode conclusion of The Umbrella Academy is a definite STREAM IT. For the reclamation and management of the Hargreeves siblings’ powers, of course, their evolving relationships, and whatever new chaos they’re sure to cause. But note also the eccentric menace of Mullaly and Offerman as the Keepers Jean and Gene."

       Elliott Collins of Movie Files was less impressed, stating, "The 6 episode format was the worst decision for this season. Characters arcs were rushed and forced. The stakes were never there because we had zero time to actually sit and breathe in scenes. The charm that was once there is nonexistent this season!"

       David Opie of Paste Magazine notes, "You'd think a show obsessed with the apocalypse would end with a bang, but watching Season 4 of The Umbrella Academy, it’s clear that the end couldn’t come quick enough in this final, lackluster run that fails to do justice to everything that came before."

Photo by Samantha Hurley from Burst