The new season of The Boys continues the show’s theme of trying to outdo itself over and over with more gross scenes in search of shock value.
Whilst several fans of The Boys have reported feeling indifferent to the grosser scenes in season five’s first few episodes, there is one scene in episode three that will always make the average viewer squirm no matter how many times the show does it – because it involves Homelander and breast milk.
The Trump-like super-villain has had an uncomfortable to watch relationship with breast milk and mummy issues since season one. Season five, however, has taken it a step further and shows Antony Starr’s character literally bathing naked in milk in the new episode.
The Boys may be a show full of superheroes and outrageous things that would never happen in our world, but Homelander’s sexual obsession with milk is a real thing called ‘Lactophilia’, and one study found that 31% of men have fantasised about it.
What is Lactophilia and why do people get it?
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Dr. Justin Lehmiller, who is research fellow at the Kinsey Institute and host of the Sex and Psychology Podcast, spoke to Men’s Health about ‘erotic lactation’ and people who get sexual pleasure out of adult breastfeeding – also known as Lactophilia.
Dr Lehmiller said: “For some men, what really gets them going is the idea of drinking a woman's breast milk, sometimes by drinking directly from a woman's breast. Other times, however, what turns men on is the idea of watching a woman lactate, or having a woman lactase on them during sexual activity. So, you know, these fantasies can take a lot of different forms.”
In the case of Homelander however this links to his lack of a mother throughout his life, something Madelyn Stillwell takes advantage of to manipulate him. This is quite common, with one woman with a ‘Mommy kink’ speaking to Vice about how this can manifest in the kink.
She said: “I grew up desperately needing to feel like someone cared about me, loved me, would protect me and hold me when I cry, and tell me I’m a good girl who made them proud… I definitely don’t think fractured parental relationships are the catalyst for everyone who’s into this, but I’ve seen a lot of other gay girls with similar experiences.”
31% of men have reportedly fantasised about it – but few take it quite as far as Homelander
This figure came from a study held by Dr Lehmiller, who said: “I saw that 31% of men said that they fantasized about breast milk in some way before, which suggests that having fantasies about erotic lactation is not uncommon.”
Whilst some may fantasise about it, it is overall not a very common kink for people to actually carry out.
Homelander however bathes in milk in the new episode, telling Soldier Boy it is specifically ‘breast milk’ from a hospital.
Fans on Reddit were shocked by the scene, with one commenting to say: “What the actual f*ck he is TWEAKING.”
Another commented: “Bathing in breast milk? I thought I'd seen it all.”
The Boys season five, episodes 1-3 are available to stream on Prime Video now.
Topics: The Boys, TV, TV and Film, Sex and Relationships
Michael Slavin