The Umbrella Academy season 4 may not have been perfect, but the penultimate episode of the show’s final run includes two fun tributes to famous movies that are otherwise unrelated to the Netflix show. One of the movies in question is roughly within the same genre as The Umbrella Academy whereas the other is pretty far removed from the superhero saga. The parodies are well-executed and blend well into the context of the uneven storyline, but they’re still easy to notice for cinephiles.

Despite all the problems with The Umbrella Academy season 4, the show’s final outing maintained its penchant for having a good time while concluding the saga. Of all four seasons of The Umbrella Academy, the fourth and final one is comfortably the worst. That being said, it’s never boring. The plot holes and inconsistencies are a little distracting, but scenes like the two movie parodies in The Umbrella Academy season 4’s penultimate episode make watching the show worth it.

Luther’s CIA Elevator Scene Pays Homage To Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The Umbrella Academy’s Number One gets to channel his inner Cap

Tom Hopper as Luther Hargreeves just before the elevator fight scene in The Umbrella Academy season 4 Tom Hopper as Luther Hargreeves looking worried just before the elevator fight scene in The Umbrella Academy season 4 Tom Hopper as Luther Hargreeves just after the elevator fight scene in The Umbrella Academy season 4 Chris Evans as Steve Rogers just before the elevator fight scene in Captain America: The Winter Solider Chris Evans as Steve Rogers standing victorious after the elevator fight scene in Captain America: The Winter Solider Tom Hopper as Luther Hargreeves just before the elevator fight scene in The Umbrella Academy season 4 Tom Hopper as Luther Hargreeves looking worried just before the elevator fight scene in The Umbrella Academy season 4 Tom Hopper as Luther Hargreeves just after the elevator fight scene in The Umbrella Academy season 4 Chris Evans as Steve Rogers just before the elevator fight scene in Captain America: The Winter Solider Chris Evans as Steve Rogers standing victorious after the elevator fight scene in Captain America: The Winter Solider

In The Umbrella Academy season 4, episode 5, “Six Years, Five Months, and Two Days,” Luther Hargreeves is slowly surrounded by those he once believed were trusted CIA agents. The fact he manages to come out on top despite the overwhelming odds is incredibly reminiscent of Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers’ triumph over the Hydra agents in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The connection highlights The Umbrella Academy and the Captain America movies both being superhero sagas, although the former is aimed at a mature audience.

The two scenes aren’t identical, as The Umbrella Academy doesn’t show the combat directly, opting instead for a fight scene that’s largely sound-only.

The two scenes aren’t identical, as The Umbrella Academy doesn’t show the combat directly, opting instead for a fight scene that’s largely sound-only, but it ultimately reveals the bloody scene left behind after the skirmish. Luther’s elevator is also in motion during the battle, while Cap’s is stationary. The Winter Soldier‘s elevator fight scene is choreographed much more meticulously too, yet there’s not a drop of blood to be seen when it’s all over.

The Umbrella Academy Season 4 Also References Kill Bill With Klaus

Klaus’ Kill Bill comment is much less subtle than Luther’s Captain America moment

Robert Sheehan in a coffin as Klaus Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy Uma Thurman trapped in a coffin as the Bride in Kill Bill Robert Sheehan in a coffin as Klaus Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy Uma Thurman trapped in a coffin as the Bride in Kill Bill

Klaus Hargeeves’ powers in The Umbrella Academy result in his season 4 nemesis burying him alive. While trying to free himself from his claustrophobic prison in “Six Years, Five Months, and Two Days”, Klaus openly references Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Volume Two when hyping himself up for his escape attempt. Speaking to himself, Klaus says, “You can do this. Find the warrior. Find Bruce Lee. Find…Uma Thurman.”

Klaus’ reference to Kill Bill is much more direct than Luther’s fight scene is to The Winter Soldier. However, Klaus’ mirroring of Thurman’s character trying to punch her way out of her coffin isn’t actually successful – unlike the Bride’s escape in Kill Bill. Instead, Klaus’ strikes on the wood simply make enough noise to attract Allison Hargreeves and her daughter – who are fortunately combing the graveyard looking for him at that exact moment. It’s not The Umbrella Academy‘s subtlest wink, but it’s perhaps not intended to be.