Netflix’s 4-Season Dark Fantasy Series Came Close to Greatness—Then Its Finale Faltered

A strange family at the center

The Umbrella Academy premiered in 2019, introducing seven adopted siblings with extraordinary abilities. Their adoptive father raised them as a superhero team, but the family eventually broke apart.

As adults, the estranged siblings reunite after their father dies. The series combines time travel and apocalyptic events with family tensions, unusual personalities and a darkly quirky take on superheroes.

A sharp final-season decline

The first three seasons built the show’s reputation, with seasons 2 and 3 each earning 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. The final season received a 55% score, classified as “rotten.” Earlier seasons had 10 episodes apiece, while season 4 had six. The shorter run left less time to resolve the established story, and the season’s focus drew criticism.

What critics found lacking

Critics pointed to beloved characters being misused or left aside, along with familiar plot devices returning. The final major twist also disappointed many viewers. The series had moved ahead of its comic-book source, leaving Netflix’s writers to develop season 4 and its ending themselves. The story’s compressed conclusion added to the challenge of resolving the show in six episodes.

The comics continue the story

Despite the ending’s mixed reception, the story argues that the show remains worth watching, especially for its earlier seasons. Viewers may want to know in advance that the finale may not satisfy their expectations.

The comics have continued since the show ended in 2024. The most recent issue was released on October 28, 2026, and issue #6, the series finale, is expected near the beginning of 2027.