Welcome back to The Movievaures, dear readers! Today, we’re diving into the fourth and final season of one of Netflix’s most peculiar superhero series: The Umbrella Academy. This quirky show has taken us on a wild ride over the past few years, blending dysfunctional family dynamics with time travel, alternate realities, and, of course, superpowers. But as we reach the end of the road, does this final chapter live up to the high expectations set by its predecessors? Unfortunately, for many, the answer is a resounding “no.”

For those unfamiliar with The Umbrella Academy, the series follows the Hargreeves siblings—seven adopted children with extraordinary abilities, all raised by the enigmatic billionaire Reginald Hargreeves. After growing up and going their separate ways, the siblings are reunited by the mysterious death of their father. Together, they must confront their troubled past, stop an impending apocalypse (or two), and uncover the truth about their strange upbringing. In the third season, the Hargreeves found themselves in a new timeline where they had been replaced by the rival Sparrow Academy. But by the end of that season, their actions had once again rewritten reality, setting the stage for season four’s final showdown.

Season four picks up where we left off, with the Hargreeves navigating the consequences of yet another timeline shift. Reginald Hargreeves, ever the manipulative figure, has rewritten the universe, stripping the siblings of their powers and introducing them to a world full of bizarre temporal anomalies. The family, once so powerful and dysfunctional, is now just struggling to stay together while facing new, and perhaps final, challenges.

However, despite the potential for a thrilling conclusion, this season has been met with widespread disappointment. With only six episodes, it feels rushed and lacking the depth and creativity that made the earlier seasons so engaging. Characters we’ve grown to love are reduced to mere shadows of their former selves, and the plot, while still packed with action and drama, often feels repetitive and nonsensical.

Critics and fans alike have not been kind to this final season. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has the lowest approval rating of the series, with only 59% of critics giving it a positive review. But the real shocker comes from the audience score— a dismal 17%. This is a far cry from the 85% audience score of season one or even the mixed reception of season three. It’s clear that the show’s fanbase, once so dedicated and enthusiastic, has been left feeling frustrated and let down. The shorter season length, combined with a disjointed and unsatisfying plot, has left many questioning what went wrong. Was it a case of budget cuts? A lack of creative direction? Or perhaps, as some suggest, the show simply overstayed its welcome?

As much as it pains me to say it, I was not surprised by the disappointment this final season brought. While I was already somewhat detached from the series after season three, I held out hope that the show would redeem itself in its last hurrah. Sadly, that wasn’t the case I truly enjoyed the first two seasons— the characters, the quirky humor, the inventive plot twists. But this last season was a mess. The storyline didn’t make sense, and there were so many inconsistencies that I lost track. The fresh ideas that were introduced felt flat, and what was familiar just felt tired and repetitive.

The ending, while touching in its own way, felt unearned and hollow. It’s not often that a series ends on such a low note, but given Netflix’s recent track record with final seasons (*I’m looking at you, *13 Reasons Why* and House of Cards), perhaps I shouldn’t have been so surprised. It’s sad to see a series with such a unique premise and beloved characters go out like this. I had to watch an extra video just to understand some of the character motivations, which is never a good sign. It feels like the story—and these characters—deserved better.

And so, we say goodbye to The Umbrella Academy. Did you feel the same way about this final season, or were you more satisfied with how things wrapped up? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below and let’s discuss. Don’t forget to follow The Movievaures on Instagram for more reviews, news, and discussions on all things film and television. Until next time, keep watching, and we’ll keep talking about it!

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