Reviews: Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024) Movie Review
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Action
Subgenres: Supernatural, Fantasy, Folk Horror
HellHorror’s review of Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024) breaks down the plot, scares, cast performances, and its lasting impact on the horror genre.
Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024) attempts to bring Mike Mignola’s fan-favorite comic arc to life in a scaled-down, horror-focused adaptation. Unlike previous Hellboy films, this version leans into folk horror, setting the story in the 1950s Appalachians, where the titular demon investigator and a rookie B.P.R.D. agent uncover a witch-infested community controlled by an ancient evil.
Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024) – A Folk Horror Reboot That Stumbles in the Shadows
Directed by Brian Taylor, the film strips away the larger-than-life spectacle of Guillermo del Toro’s adaptations in favor of a smaller, moodier, and more atmospheric horror approach. While the intent is commendable, low-budget constraints, awkward pacing, and underwhelming execution hold The Crooked Man back from becoming the faithful adaptation fans had hoped for.
Director and Main Cast
This reboot is directed by Brian Taylor, known for the high-energy chaos of the Crank films and the dark satire of Mom and Dad. However, his signature hyperkinetic style is almost absent, replaced with an attempt at folk horror moodiness that never fully delivers.
Main Cast:
- Jack Kesy as Hellboy – The latest actor to take on the Big Red mantle, bringing a more comic-accurate interpretation of the character.
- Jefferson White as Tom Ferrell – A haunted war veteran with a tragic connection to the supernatural events unfolding in the town.
- Adeline Rudolph as Bobbie Jo Song – A rookie B.P.R.D. agent with an interest in the paranormal, but whose character is underdeveloped.
The smaller cast and contained setting help The Crooked Man stay true to its folk horror roots, but the lack of dynamic performances or compelling character arcs weakens the film’s impact.
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
A New Setting, A Familiar Premise
The story follows Hellboy and Bobbie Jo Song as they investigate strange occurrences in a remote Appalachian community. What starts as a standard B.P.R.D. mission quickly escalates when they uncover a dark force linked to Hellboy’s past—the Crooked Man, a demonic entity who exerts a chilling influence over the land and its people.
Unlike previous Hellboy films, this installment eschews large-scale battles and mythical world-ending stakes in favor of folk horror storytelling, focusing on:
- Witchcraft, curses, and eerie folklore rather than big-budget action set pieces.
- A sense of isolation and dread within a small, unwelcoming town.
- Moral dilemmas and deals with the devil, forcing characters to confront their past sins and inevitable fates.
While the concept is strong, the film struggles to balance its tone, wavering between slow-burn suspense and underwhelming horror beats.
Hellboy in the Shadows
Jack Kesy’s Hellboy is gruff, world-weary, and sarcastic, more in line with Mignola’s original vision than previous film portrayals. While the practical effects and makeup are decent, the cinematography robs the character of his iconic presence.
- The film’s washed-out, color-drained visuals make Hellboy look lifeless instead of larger-than-life.
- Dialogue feels stilted, making Kesy’s performance serviceable but unremarkable.
- Side characters lack depth, with Bobbie Jo Song’s paranormal curiosity never fully explored and Tom Ferrell’s tragic backstory underserved.
Despite some faithful character elements, the film fails to make Hellboy an engaging protagonist, leaving fans wishing for stronger writing and a more charismatic lead performance.
Acting and Cinematography
Jack Kesy as Hellboy – A Mixed Bag
Kesy brings a faithful but uninspired take on Hellboy. While his dry wit and gruff demeanor match the comics, his performance lacks the charisma and presence that Ron Perlman and David Harbour brought to the role.
Supporting Cast – Wasted Potential
- Jefferson White as Tom Ferrell has a strong backstory but is never fully utilized.
- Adeline Rudolph as Bobbie Jo Song feels like an afterthought, despite hints of an interesting arc that never materializes.
Cinematography and Visuals – A Lost Opportunity
- The Appalachian setting is effectively eerie, with twisted trees, fog-covered hills, and decrepit cabins adding to the folk horror aesthetic.
- However, the film’s dull, color-drained look makes everything visually unappealing, sucking the life out of what should have been a moody, atmospheric experience.
- Creature design is competent, but low-budget effects hold back the film’s potential for truly chilling horror moments.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Faithful to the Folk Horror Elements of the Comics – The film leans into witchcraft, folklore, and eerie rural horror, staying true to The Crooked Man comic arc.
- Smaller, More Intimate Story – Unlike previous films, this version keeps Hellboy grounded, focusing on a single case rather than world-ending stakes.
- A Few Standout Horror Sequences – Certain scenes, such as witches returning from the dead or body horror transformations, add effective moments of dread.
Weaknesses:
- Lack of Energy and Pacing Issues – The film plods along with stiff dialogue and awkward exposition, failing to build consistent tension.
- Uninspired Visual Presentation – The washed-out cinematography drains the film’s personality, making Hellboy look lifeless and the world uninteresting.
- Underdeveloped Characters – Supporting roles lack depth, making it hard to invest in the stakes of the story.
- Budget Constraints Are Noticeable – While the film tries to work within its limits, it never escapes its low-budget feel, leaving many set pieces looking cheap rather than immersive.
In Conclusion – Is Hellboy: The Crooked Man Worth Watching?
Hellboy: The Crooked Man is a bold attempt to shift the franchise into folk horror, but poor execution, lifeless cinematography, and sluggish pacing prevent it from reaching its potential.
Who Will Enjoy This Movie?
- Fans of folk horror and supernatural thrillers looking for a witchcraft-infused horror story.
- Die-hard Hellboy fans eager to see a faithful adaptation of The Crooked Man comic.
- Viewers who appreciate low-budget indie horror and moody, slow-burn storytelling.
Who Might Be Disappointed?
- Fans of Del Toro’s Hellboy films, who expect vibrant visuals, compelling characters, and large-scale storytelling.
- Audiences looking for fast-paced action and thrilling fight sequences.
- Viewers put off by low-budget limitations and flat cinematography.
Final Verdict & Score (1–10)
Hellboy: The Crooked Man had the right idea—a smaller, folk horror-inspired story—but fails in execution due to dull visuals, weak pacing, and lackluster character work. While some horror elements shine, the film never fully justifies its existence, making it feel like a missed opportunity rather than a fresh start for the franchise.
Final Score: 5/10 – Faithful but flawed, The Crooked Man struggles to balance its folk horror ambitions with its lackluster execution.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Hellboy: The Crooked Man Rating Scores
- Our Score: 5/10
- Overall Score: 4.38/10
- MetaCritic: 4.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 3.6/10
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