Synopsis:
Directed by Brian Taylor, “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” is a dark fantasy horror film and a reboot of the Hellboy film franchise. Unlike the previous adaptations that showcased grandiose good versus evil confrontations, this film focuses on the original eerie and Gothic roots of the comics and horror elements.
The plot follows the deep backwoods of Appalachia during the Folklore 1950s period, filled with superstition and evil spirits. Jack Kesy casted as Hellboy is stuck in a remote village heavy with witchcraft and supernatural terrors. Hellboy is caught up in a horrific mystery when he encounters a young man Tom Ferrell, who is on his way to his cursed hometown.
The primary antagonist is the Crooked Man, an unsettling deformed demon with a colonial era backstory. Once a miser and witch-burner, who made Faust’s bargain, now acts as a devilish landlord of the damned souls in the Appalachians. He serves as both the physical monster and the personification of the rife corruption and despair in the region.
While venturing through the wilderness, Tom and Hellboy are faced with horror at every corner as they stumble upon generations worth of betrayal, conflict, mysticism and treachery. The villagers hold deep places full of secrets, while the land itself seems to act aggressively towards outsiders. Working together, Hellboy and Tom are faced with the Crooked Man, alongside overcoming the all too familiar greed and fear of humanity.
As with any other Hellboy film, The Crooked Man takes a different approach by adding a touch of intimate, character-driven backstories mixed with horror elements. It dives into themes of guilt, redemption, the nature of evil and how the worst kind lies in the human soul—often taking the form of a monster armed with claws and sharp fangs.
Cast & Crew
The role of Hellboy is being passed onto Jack kesy after Ron Perlman and David Harbour portrayed the character in the previous films. Kesy is renowned for the raw and gritty roles he has taken on in Deadpool 2 and Claws. Therefore it is safe to say that with him, comes a more rough around the edges approach. This was also the case with his version of Hellboy as he is younger, haunted and lacks polish, fitting The Crooked Mans tone.
Jefferson White of Yellowstone fame plays Tom Ferrell, the young man whose life is inexplicably tied to the horrors of the Appalachian village. The transformation of a guilt-ridden runaway into a reluctant hero parallels the struggle of Hellboy with his monstrous side and his humanity.
Adeline Rudolph plays Effie Kolb, the most important character who is associated with the witchery that surrounds and infests the history of the village. She helps add to the mystery, walking the tightrope of being a victim and a role player of the wicked forces at hand.
As the director of The Crooked Man, Brian Taylor is known for his work on adrenaline-pumping films like the Crank series and Gamer but has taken a surprisingly slow-burn approach to horror for this film. Taylor has been clear about his intention to adapt Mike Mignola’s 2008 comic miniseries Hellboy: The Crooked Man, which fans consider one of the most atmospheric and spine-chilling tales in the Hellboy lore.
With Mignola deeply involved in the production in the role of co-writer, the promise of fidelity to the comic’s spirit is upheld, something franchise fans have longed for since previous adaptations strayed too far from the source material.
The cinematography incorporates muted, desaturated tones to capture the forlornness of an abandoned Appalachian village, ominously shadowing deep forests, derelict churches, and fog-laden hills. Danger seems to ooze from every corner.
Kurzel’s score for the film (composed in his style from The Babadook and Alien: Covenant) utilizes ominous strings alongside sparse folk motifs and discordant drones, building on the elusively oppressive dread and folklore-laden atmosphere enveloping the film.
IMDb Anticipated Rating
Hellboy: The Crooked Man is projected to be released in late 2025 and therefore does not hold an official IMDb rating. However, confidential chatter circulating from industry insiders alongside fans from the comic book fandom indicates a positive yet careful reception.
The optimism appears to stem from the worrying prediction that places undue scrutiny on the 2019 Hellboy reboot, widely lambasted for overstuffed and incoherent narratives. Going from apocalyptic scale to an intimate character-centric horror story is a welcomed pivot, especially being spearheaded by Mike Mignola. The change has kneeded long-tormented Hellboy aficionados.
Reportedly positive test screenings has fanned the flames within anticipation. Viewers appear to appreciate the film’s practical creature effects alongside an emphasis on atmosphere rather than constant action, and slow burns rather than explosions. The more vulnerable, grounded portrayal of Hellboy by Jack Kesy has also surfaced acclaim.
Conclusion
Capturing the spirit of Mignola’s work and the wicked folklore world of gothic horror, Hellboy: The Crooked Man promises to take the Hellboy film series in a new direction.
Jack Kesy’s raw portrayal of Hellboy is perhaps the most unique representation to date, accentuating internal conflict and dread alongside the physical conflicts in the narrative. The curdled Appalachians, with their ancient churches, shadowed woods, and malevolent forces, provide a profound setting for the story’s exploration of guilt, sin, and redemption.
“Mignola’s direct involvement with the film seems to safeguard that authenticity, which gives us the liberty to wonder what would happen if, rather than hiding behind bigger action set pieces, previous films overstuffed, to attempt outdoing eachother, the Crooked Man was filled with something eerie and potent: monsters we nurture in whispered fables.”
Scheduled to launch in 2025, the newest addition in the genre of horror, dark fantasy and folklore comics, titled Hellboy: The Crooked Man is expected to receive a lot of attention. This film invites both new fans and old followers of the comic series to step into the world of Hellboy, where the Crooked Mantis is guaranteed to reshape your perception forever.
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