Hellboy: The Crooked Man – A Bold Indie Horror Reboot

Hellboy: The Crooked Man, the latest adaptation of the renowned comic series, offers a fresh take on the paranormal detective’s universe, blending folk horror with an indie film approach. Set in the 1950s, the story follows Hellboy and a rookie Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (B.P.R.D.) agent as they venture into the Appalachian backcountry to confront a community led by a demon known as the Crooked Man.

Directed by Brian Taylor, known for his work on action-driven films such as Crank and Mom and Dad, The Crooked Man marks a departure from the spectacle of Guillermo Del Toro‘s previous adaptations. Instead, the film leans towards a more grounded aesthetic reminiscent of the original comic series by Mike Mignola. This adaptation is noted for adhering closely to its source material, namely Mignola and Richard Corben’s 2008 miniseries.

Jack Kesy stars as Hellboy, capturing the character’s brooding and sardonic personality effectively. Kesy’s performance is accompanied by a meticulously crafted makeup design, reflecting a faithful visual interpretation of the comic’s character. Despite the film’s modest budget, Kesy’s portrayal stands out alongside previous Hellboy actors Ron Perlman and David Harbour.

Supporting performances include Leah McNamara as the witch Effie Kolb, who delivers a commanding presence, complementing the gothic horror aesthetic of the film. However, the titular Crooked Man, portrayed by Martin Bassindale, is critiqued for lacking the comic’s original unsettling aura, presenting more as a generic adversary.

The film embraces the gothic horror elements with location shoots in Bulgaria that provide a suitably eerie backdrop. Nevertheless, critics suggest that the setting does not fully harness the haunting beauty and isolation characteristic of the Appalachian region.

Brian Taylor’s direction emphasizes framing shots that evoke comic panel aesthetics, despite the film’s limited budget. The filmmakers employ practical effects, including a memorable scene of a witch reanimating her corpse, showcasing the film’s dedication to in-camera effects over reliance on CGI.

While Hellboy: The Crooked Man may not match the scale of earlier cinematic endeavors, it successfully delivers a streamlined supernatural adventure. The plot proceeds briskly, offering character arcs for the three main figures, drawing comparisons to the Evil Dead film series in its execution of horror and action elements.

Ultimately, this iteration of Hellboy is received as a bold indie interpretation. While it faces challenges typical of low-budget filmmaking, it stands as a commendable adaptation that resonates with fans of comic book cinema, overshadowing some of the year’s higher-budget productions by staying true to its source material’s heart.