Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024) differs with the rest of the franchise as it takes a bold rejuvenating direction with its story and tone. Rather than following the reckless action and mythological themes of its predecessors, this new adaptation is a spine chilling folk horror story. This film directed by Brian Taylor has Mike Mignola, the creator of Hellboy himself, co-writing it alongside longtime associate Christopher Golden. Both paying homage to their comic book roots and venturing into the depths of Appalachian surrealism, the film resonates with primal dread.
Set in the 1950s, the story takes place in the more secluded and sinister parts of rural Appalachia. Here we join Hellboy, portrayed by Jack Kesy, and a recently promoted BPRD agent Bobbie Jo Song played by Adeline Rudolph, as they explore this unnerving territory. The pair traverses a long-forgotten valley suffering from violent supernatural phenomena, where they discover horrific evidence of necromancy, witchcraft and occult ritualistic practices.
The antagonist, The Crooked Man, is portrayed by Martin Bassindale. The character is a demon with deep rooted ties to hell. A legendary figure from eastern folklore known among the area riddled with misfortunes. While Hellboy is on the quest, he finds out that The Crooked Man is connected to the rest of his demonic heritage which will ultimately raise the stakes for Hellboy both emotionally and existentially.
What sets this installment apart from the rest of the Hellboy series are elements such as psychological horror, religion and the concept of sin. Song and Hellboy don’t merely engage in fights with monsters; they battle centuries worth of moral decay and dark voids that seem to have infected the very land.
Everywhere from haunted churches and cursed woods to chilling encounters with spectral figures and resurrected corpses, the film does an incredible job of portraying dread. The climax takes place in a haunting glen Hellboy and his allies have to face inordinate amounts of terror at the center of ‘The Hurricane,’ an ancient evil stomping ground.
Adeline Rudolph as Bobbie Jo Song
Rudolph most recently gained attention playing college students in Coming 2 America and The Midnight Club. She plays Bobbie so well, she’ll easily be a household name.
Underneath the of part of Ron Perlman and then later David Harbous, Jack Kesy takes on the commanding role of Hellboy. Known for his aggressive roles, his portrayal of a more reserved character is likely to surprise his fans. This version of Hellboy promises to be brooding and stoic, reflecting less quippy Hellboy who is more aligned with the tale’s tone.
Cast & Crew
Martin Bassindale as The Crooked Man
In the role of the Crooked Man, Bassindale offers a spine-chilling performance that draws from the uncanny and the dread of the Crooked Man’s fearsome folklore. As the title antagonist, he disturbs the audience in a manner that resonates with one’s dread of the unfamiliar.
Jefferson White as Tom Ferrell
An enigmatic local with an insider’s understanding of the valley’s occult secrets. Ferrell plays a pivotal role in guiding both Hellboy and Song through the perilous paths — both physical and metaphysical realms.
Leah McNamara as Effie Kolb
An occultist deeply rooted in the community’s dark ways. She manifests the spectrum’s most compelling duality as a sinister force and a pawn, and exemplifies the moral complexity that exists in the narrative.
Joseph Marcell as Reverend Watts
A sightless clergyman marking the ethical frontier in the accursed society. His conviction becomes indispensable in confronting evil to safeguard the community because his knowledge of scriptures and the otherworld is crucial.
Hannah Margetson as Cora Fisher
A young witch at a moment of decision between rescue and eternal torment. Her storyline explores themes of innocence lost and redemption attained.
Director: Brian Taylor
Music Composer: Sven Faulconer
Editor: Ryan Denmark
Cinematographer: Ivan Vatsov.
Producers: Jonathan Yunger, Les Weldon, Mike Richardson.
Production companies: Millennium Media, Dark Horse Entertainment, Nu Boyana Film Studios, Campbell Grobman Films.
The film’s focus on practical effects distinguishes it from other Hellboy features. The production team’s attention to makeup, costumes, and real-world settings instead of CGI created a believable and chilling atmosphere. This choice further anchors the otherworldly aspects into reality, which enhances the frightful experience.
IMO Ratings and Critical Reception
Moreover, Hellboy: The Crooked Man has received negative reviews from critics and fans alike, scoring 4.5 out of 10 on IMDb. From the eyes of the fans, the movie attempted to please too many people. Comic book veterans acknowledged the fidelity to the source material, but general audiences were frustrated by the slow pacing and sparse storytelling.
Reviewers commended the film for its commitment to folk horror in addition to its immersive atmosphere. The Appalachian setting, paired with intense visual direction and disturbing sound design, made for a one-of-a-kind experience. The Crooked Man was especially remembered for being one of the most visually and thematically frightening villains in the franchise.
Still, some critics pointed out the film’s pacing as erratic, with secondary characters lacking development. Those who preferred previous films in the series did not enjoy the slower, more methodical pace rooted in classic horror because it differed so drastically from the more action-oriented content of prior installments.
Regardless, Hellboy: The Crooked Man did ultimately find an audience who appreciated the stylistic shift. Keeping true to Mignola’s original comic arc was seen as a positive attribute, especially when compared to the 2019 reboot derided for its incoherence and excessive reliance on CGI.
Conclusion
While not a box-office success as some fans may have anticipated, Hellboy: The Crooked Man marks an audacious artistic decision for the franchise. This particular entry into the Hellboy universe may be horror- and folklore-focused, with period piece storytelling as its backbone, but it also runs with folklore and period pieces. It is a stylistically and thematically atmospheric addition. Regardless of whether or not it marks a change in direction for the upcoming films, it certainly establishes an unmistakable and striking identity within the saga –one that is literally and figuratively ghostly haunted.
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