[REVIEW] Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024)

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Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024) dives into a dark, atmospheric tale set in 1950s Appalachia, blending horror and humor as Hellboy faces witches and the Crooked Man.

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Hellboy: The Crooked Man, which has been paired with a mix of anticipation and skepticism ahead of its release on 27 September 2024, is the latest installment of the Hellboy franchise trying to capture the spirit of the renowned comic series by Mike Mignola while negotiating the same trying cinematic adaptations.

It is set in the 1959 countryside of Appalachia and follows Hellboy (Jack Kesy) and a new BPRD agent, Bobbie Jo Song (Adeline Rudolph), who are stranded in a town under siege by witches and the manifestation of sinister evil known as the Crooked Man, Martin Bassindale. As you can guess, the movie is based on a 2008 comic book of the same name, and it has a very clear objective: bringing folk horror together with supernatural action. Investigating themes of sacrifice and even the inescapable clash of good versus evil as they face evil forces, yet it's likely to be accused of wandering astray in maintaining tension and interest throughout the movie itself, some critics say.

 

Another criticism about Keys's Hellboy is that his characterization did not evoke the characteristic sarcasm and depth of the character. On the other side, there is some deficit utilization of Adeline Rudolph as Bobbie Jo Song. In this context, some critics say that Kesy manages the roughness of Hellboy, but the acting cannot redeem the film from its weak storyline.

Visually, the film attempts to project an evocative atmosphere that is quintessentially Appalachian. The cinematography by Ivan Vatsov extensively employs shallow-focus photography throughout the film, which elevates the foreboding nature in the first half of the film. However, as the events of the film unfold, some critics have pointed out to an over-reliance on CGI that breaks the practicality of otherwise impressive special effects and therefore doesn't quite deliver a visually cohesive feel. Aesthetic choices made in the film, even as ambitious as they are, may not always nail it with the sensibility of every viewer.

Early reactions from the audience are divided. On the one hand, some praise the commitment to the source material and even the folk horror vibe, while others criticize the lack of coherent execution. At the moment, it stands at a score of 5.1/10 on IMDb, which shows that opinions are divided among the viewers. Some of them appreciate the darker and more serious tone than what was possibly achieved in the former adaptations but others find it to fail to deliver the engaging campy spirit expected for a Hellboy film.

In Conclusion, Hellboy: The Crooked Man is a film that takes bold steps in rebooting the franchise while keeping it more loyal to the comic variant. Despite all this, the film surprisingly manages to do its job in setting up an atmosphere that's haunting and Jack Kesy really seems to do his thing. A few inconsistencies with pacing and character development which drags it back into a very average experience. Visual execution has some promising moments within it but is somehow unplugged at times which would somehow leave everyone divided. Thus, this reboot would satisfy die-hard comic fans but leave casual viewers craving something more cohesive and interestingly cinematic in treatment. The cinematic experience will determine its place in the Hellboy franchise as it hits the cinemas.

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About the Writer

Jenny, the tech wiz behind Jenny's Online Blog, loves diving deep into the latest technology trends, uncovering hidden gems in the gaming world, and analyzing the newest movies. When she's not glued to her screen, you might find her tinkering with gadgets or obsessing over the latest sci-fi release.

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