Horror Movie Review: Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024)

Hellboy: The Crooked Man is a 2024 American superhero horror film, based on the Dark Horse Comics character Hellboy created by Mike Mignola. It is the second reboot of the Hellboy film series and is the fourth live-action entry in the franchise.

In the 1950s, B.P.R.D. agents Hellboy and Bobbie Jo Song are tasked with transporting via train a toxic supernatural spider to their headquarters. However, when they cross the Appalachian Mountains, the spider suddenly enlarges to monstrous proportions. It forces their train car to overturn and the spider to escape. Hellboy surmises that the spider grew due to something evil haunting the area, admitting that he heard it calling to him. Left stranded, Hellboy and Bobbie Jo wander until they meet Tom Ferrell. He’s a local who’s recently returned to atone for past sins. The agents accompany Tom to speak with Cora Fisher, a witch and Tom’s ex-girlfriend. They find the house and Cora’s body empty.

As they wait for the demonic familiar to return with Cora’s full body, Tom regales to the agents he once met Effie Kolb. A local witch that attracted him towards witchcraft and convinced him to make a deal with an entity known as “The Crooked Man.” At Effie’s suggestion, Tom used a cat carcass to summon the Crooked Man. And whatever bone he held once the entity arrived would become his lucky bone. However, the sight of the Crooked Man terrified Tom enough to have a change of heart and discard the lucky bone. But it would always return and kept him safe from harm. Tom intends to face the Crooked Man once and for all. When the familiar returns Cora’s body, she reveals to Tom that the local witches want her soul.

To Tom’s shock, Effie arrives on a white horse to collect Cora’s soul. After Hellboy threatens Effie, the white horse suddenly transforms into Tom’s father as Effie escapes. Tom and his father reconcile briefly before he dies. The following morning, Tom, Cora, and the agents walk to a nearby church, owned by Reverend Watts, to bury Tom’s father. But Cora is attacked and killed by a demonic snake. Hellboy kills it, but its bites show him visions of his mother Sara, a witch who made a deal with a demon. The survivors reach the church, where they are confronted by the Crooked Man and his servants.

Can they rid this place from evil or at least find a goddamn phone? Watch and find out.

Now I admit I was dubious about this. As a diehard Ron Perlman fan (aren’t we all), I was initially critical. After all, the last remake was pretty terrible. But, I quickly changed my mind.

Hellboy: Crooked Man has the feeling of a side quest, which is a lot of fun. It leans more into the horror elements of the Hellboy universe. Considering the smaller budget, Hellboy himself looks great. He actually looks the closest to the comics than any other on screen iteration. There’s less of a prosthetic on Jack Kesy’s face so he can emote a lot more.

Jack Kesy is Hellboy. What I mean when I say this is, he just steps into his shoes like he belongs there. His performance isn’t anything grand or anything too small, it’s just as if he’s always been and it’s another day at the office.

Everyone has strong performances overall and the characters all have believable chemistry. My favourites were The Crooked Man himself, Effie Kolb and Hellboy’s mother, Sara. I thoroughly enjoyed the down and dirty southern vibe. The authentic drawl, the small side characters that immediately bring you into the region and set the scene straight away. The gritty witch side felt fresh and interesting.

The effects were hit and miss for the creatures. However, Cora Fisher’s transformation and her empty skin filling back up is hands down one of the top 10 horror effects I’ve ever seen. Very realistic and unique.

Overall, a solid, very cool side quest for Hellboy and I hope we get more. I understand it’s difficult to move on from Perlman and Del Toro, it’s a tragedy they weren’t given more. But, if we don’t support Hellboy at all then the character will disappear from our screens for good. This film was already low budget after the last remake blew the budget out the water and bombed. Despite your expectations, I would implore you to give this movie a chance, it really is a lot of fun and doesn’t overstay its welcome with the runtime.