The HBO comedy-drama THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES has always been a wild mix of dark humor, chaotic family dynamics, and sudden bursts of violence. As Season 4 comes to a close, one of the biggest questions fans have is: Who is the true villain of the series?
At first glance, it seemed that Michael Rooker‘s character Cobb Milsap was the big threat. Introduced in “Interlude IV,” Cobb appeared as a dark figure from the Gemstones’ past, one who brought menace and mystery. His hatred toward Lori (played by Jennifer Nettles) and his disturbing presence made him an obvious suspect behind the violent threats plaguing the Gemstones and Lori’s past boyfriends. With his intimidating demeanor and history of abuse, Cobb looked every bit the villain. For a time, he was.
Who is the True Villain in The Righteous Gemstones Series Finale?
But in episode 8 of season 4, Cobb is killed by his son, Corey Milsap (Seann William Scott), shifting the story’s direction. This death leaves a hole in the mystery: if Cobb is dead, who is now the enemy? The answer is devastating—it’s Corey himself, portrayed with nuance and pain as a young man breaking under years of trauma and manipulation.
Corey’s descent starts out slowly. After killing his abusive father, Corey tries to hide the anger that is building up inside him. As the Gemstone siblings — Jesse (played by Danny McBride), Judy (Edi Patterson), and Kelvin (Adam Devine) — try to reconnect with the Milsaps at the family’s river house, a shocking discovery is made. Kelvin stumbles upon Corey’s belongings at the Gemstone vacation home—finding Eli Gemstone’s lost gold Bible and a gun—the truth comes out. The way Corey hurts people isn’t random. In the past, Cobb used him to help kill Lori’s ex-boyfriends, so his past is full of blood. Now that Cobb is gone, Corey feels like there’s no way to move forward.
Corey hurts and wants to hurt Jesse, Judy and Kelvin in a scary way. Even though no one is killed, the damage has been done, both physically and emotionally. Corey’s spree ends when Jesse shoots him. But even as he is dying, Corey shows that he is human by asking the Gemstones to pray for him. This moment isn’t about making things right; it’s about the show’s main idea of forgiving.
The Gemstones kneel and pray over Corey, even though they were just barely alive when someone tried to kill them. That is a strong picture that shows what the show has always been about, even when it’s being satirical or silly: faith, family, and forgiveness. This act of kindness isn’t just for Corey. It’s about the Gemstone siblings taking on their spiritual roles for real, not just for show.
While Corey becomes the physical threat in the finale, his actions stem from a much longer history of manipulation and abuse. Cobb, although dead by the end, remains the root of this pain. He spent years warping his son’s mind, dragging him into a world of violence and control. Corey was not born a villain—he was shaped into one.
That said, the series doesn’t fully excuse Corey either. His actions are horrific. But The Righteous Gemstones doesn’t present evil in simple black-and-white terms. Instead, it portrays how unresolved trauma, abuse, and the thirst for revenge can twist a person until they become unrecognizable.
In the series finale, Eli (John Goodman) receives a letter from Aimee-Leigh (Jennifer Nettles), written long ago to Lori. The letter talks about learning to live without closure. For the Gemstone family—who never found closure in Aimee-Leigh’s death, and who just faced another near-tragedy—it’s a message they finally accept. Life isn’t about tying every loose end. Sometimes, it’s about moving forward with faith and forgiveness.
Who is the real bad guy in Season 4 of THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES? Cobb and Corey both have the title in a way. Cobb spread evil, and Corey, even though he was a victim, did the hurting. By the end, though, the show doesn’t care so much about naming a bad guy as it does about showing that even the most broken people can ask for forgiveness.
Fans of the show will find this ending not only shocking, but also important. Long-running plots come to an end, and The Righteous Gemstones stays true to what it’s always been about: flawed people trying to find redemption in their own unique way.
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