Season 3 of The Umbrella Academy has finally been released, and we’ve got the review. This release is a source of great relief to fans who have waited eagerly since 2020 for a major cliffhanger to be resolved. This new season sees the seven super-siblings once again battling against the apocalypse. But this time, they have another issue to face. Namely, they’ve been replaced by a new group of super siblings, the Sparrow Academy. We also see one Umbrella undergo a significant transformation. So how does all of this play out? Do all these complications make for an impressive season? Here is our spoiler-free review of The Umbrella Academy season 3.
The Umbrella Academy Season 3: Umbrellas Meet Sparrows
We last saw the Umbrellas in season two after they thought they had managed to stop two apocalypses, one of which would take place in 2019 (season one) and the other that was meant to take place in Dallas Texas, in 1963. But just when everything seemed all hunky-dory, they were shocked to discover that they had been replaced by the Sparrow Academy. It turns out that their adoptive father, Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore), wasn’t too impressed by what he saw in 1963 and opted to adopt a different group of gifted children with the same birthday. This new group includes the Umbrella’s brother Ben (Justin H. Min), who is no longer dead and no longer all that pleasant. As the siblings so eloquently put it, he’s become a “dickhead” who’s caught up in being a leader and in the Sparrow celebrity status.
Kicked out of their own home, the siblings move into the quirky Hotel Obsidian, where they process the situation differently. Klaus (R0bert Sheehan) takes an opportunity to seek out his origins, and he also develops an unexpected and entertaining relationship with Reginald. Diego (David Castañeda) is still coping with major daddy issues and doesn’t want to accept more rejection (although he’s quickly distracted by a more complicated situation). Luther (Tom Hopper) develops a sudden infatuation with Sparrow member Sloane (Genesis Rodriguez). And fan-favorite Number Five (Aidan Gallagher)? Well, after 58 years of life and 20 days of trying to save the world, he’s had enough and is ready to retire.
Meanwhile, the other two Hargreeves siblings are intensely processing their past and present. Vanya (Elliot Page) had a significant romantic awakening in season two, which was a build-up to a major change. It’s not long before we say farewell to Vanya and welcome Viktor Hargreeves, corresponding with Page’s real-life transition. However, that is far from the most significant complication the character faces, as a face from the past complicates Viktor’s life and the lives of all of the Umbrellas.
But the Hargreeves sibling who is having the hardest time with this new timeline is none other than Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman). As it turns out, this new timeline comes with some heartbreaking changes in her life. And those challenges are only added to when the Umbrellas learn that their presence in this timeline has created another apocalypse in the form of a Kugelblitz (which, by the way, is a real thing). Once again, the Umbrellas are sucked into saving the world from certain doom.
The Umbrella Academy Season 3 Review: Apocalypse Again?
There is so much to love about The Umbrella Academy season 3. To begin with, these are some of the best performances the seven main cast members have given. Castañeda, Hopper, and Sheehan are excellent at showcasing their comedic charm. As always, Aidan Gallagher gives an excellent performance as Five, an older adult trapped in a boy’s body who is tired of trying to save the world. The fact that Gallagher is only 18 makes his performance all the more impressive. You almost wonder if the actor really is an old soul stuck in a young body.
While Justin H. Min’s Ben has always been a selfless and sweet character, he’s truly power-hungry and smug in this season. The fact that Min can pull off such a substantial personality change says much about his acting range. Elliot Page’s transition stirred up much discussion about what would happen with the character. Page and the showrunners did an impressive job, addressing the matter without making it center stage.
However, this is ultimately Emmy Raver-Lampman’s big season. While Allison has been a compelling character for the previous two seasons, this season really gives us a deep look into how emotionally traumatized this character is from the series’ events thus far. Raver-Lampman is excellent at showcasing these complex emotions.
The show has some incredible action sequences, including a chaotic battle in a pharmacy and a horror-movie-style showdown in the finale. It also has some hilarious comedy moments, including an unexpected and unforgettable dance number and a ridiculous training sequence in which Klaus learns how to strengthen his powers. We won’t spoil anything, but it involves cars.
Unfortunately, The Umbrella Academy season 3 is a bit rushed and repeated. A few characters are removed pretty fast, and it feels they could have been great motivators for the story. And while Raver-Lampman’s acting hops are impressive, seeing Allison’s darker side, this season seems very sudden and out of character for her. Luther’s romance storyline with Sloane is also a bit rushed. Love, at first sight, may be real, but this is a bit out of nowhere. And the fact that he’s infatuated at the first meeting when they’ve just discovered the Sparrows have replaced them seems out of place.
Finally, it’s kind of been the same story for the last three seasons. While this constant battling against the apocalypse is fun, it would be cool to see the Umbrellas face a different threat. However, we can tell you that if this storyline is repeated again next season, this season ends on a cliffhanger that’s really going to complicate things. No spoilers.
The Umbrella Academy Season 3: Rushed But Riveting
Ultimately, The Umbrella Academy season 3 is entertaining. While it’s a major step down from the previous seasons, it remains riveting to watch. Every episode ends, leaving you wanting more, and as always, the finale has us eager for the next season. Hopefully, there won’t be more Covid issues holding that off for two years again.
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