Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024)

Rating: 6 of 10 Stars

When Hellboy: The Crooked Man was announced, it promised to be a return to form-leaning into the horror roots of Mike Mignola's comic rather than the blockbuster spectacle of previous adaptations. With a more focused story, a period setting in the 1950s, and Mignola himself involved in the screenplay, there was hope that this would be the Hellboy film that finally captured the eerie, folklore-infused tone of the original comics.

And, to some extent, it does.

The film benefits from its Appalachian backdrop, creating a sense of isolation and unease that fits the story's supernatural themes. Jack Kesy's take on Hellboy is serviceable, if not particularly memorable, and the Crooked Man himself is a solid antagonist, bringing a sinister presence to the film. There are moments where the horror elements shine through-glimpses of something truly unsettling-but the execution doesn't always live up to the ambition.

One of the biggest issues is the film's uneven effects work. While practical effects are always welcome in a movie like this, the CGI often feels undercooked, pulling the viewer out of key moments rather than enhancing them. If a film is going to commit to a darker, horror-infused tone, it needs to go all in, and The Crooked Man seems hesitant to fully embrace the potential terror of its own story.

Then there's the dialogue. Hellboy has always had a dry, sarcastic wit, but here, the one-liners feel painfully forced-often appearing at the worst possible moments, undercutting the atmosphere the film tries so hard to build. It's frustrating because the source material offers so much depth and nuance, yet the film seems determined to inject unnecessary humor that doesn't quite land.

Ultimately, Hellboy: The Crooked Man is a step in the right direction, but it doesn't quite hit the mark. The smaller scale and horror focus were smart choices, but the film needed a stronger commitment to its tone and better execution overall. If another installment is on the horizon, hopefully, the creative team takes a closer look at what made the original comics so compelling and delivers something that longtime fans can truly get behind.

I'm Rae Serbeck, I Watch and Review all films Large and Small!