Hellboy: The Crooked Man Film Review

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Hellboy: The Crooked Man – Film Review

It’s Spooky Season, Time for a Cinematic Treat



Fans of graphic novels adapted for the big screen will find much to delight in with Hellboy: The Crooked Man, hitting cinemas across Australia this week. Screening from October 10, this latest instalment in the Hellboy franchise is directed by Brian Taylor and stars Jack Kesy as the titular antihero, alongside Jefferson White and Adeline Rudolph. Set in 1950s rural Appalachia, the film follows Hellboy and rookie BPRD agent Bobbie Jo Song (played by Rudolph) as they find themselves stranded in a small, isolated community haunted by witches, led by the malevolent demon known as the Crooked Man.



This is a film made with fans of the comics in mind. Taylor makes a deliberate effort to stay faithful to the visual style of Mike Mignola’s artwork, which forms the backbone of the Hellboy graphic novels. In particular, the character of the Crooked Man is an impressively accurate representation of Mignola’s haunting illustrations. Fans familiar with the comics will likely appreciate this attention to detail, making it worth taking a moment to revisit Mignola’s art before diving into the film.



Leaning much more into the horror genre than previous Hellboy adaptations, The Crooked Man is not for the faint of heart or for younger viewers. Where earlier films in the franchise blended action with comic-book humour, this instalment is darker and more unsettling. The jump scares are well-executed, and the film’s evil characters are often shrouded in shadow or out of focus, creating an atmosphere thick with tension. It's genuinely creepy, and Kesy’s portrayal of Hellboy is grittier and more brooding— at times more Hellman than Hellboy, as our beloved antihero has lost a little of the irreverent charm that made him such a cult figure.

Visually, Hellboy: The Crooked Man is a success, capturing the eerie, gothic tone that fans expect. The cinematography, especially the way it uses light and shadow, amplifies the film’s mood of creeping dread. However, the sound design doesn’t always hit the same high mark. While it works to build tension in many moments, there are times when the sound editing feels a bit off, slightly diminishing the overall impact of certain scenes.



That said, Hellboy: The Crooked Man is absolutely a film best experienced on the big screen, in a darkened cinema where the full effect of its visual and horror elements can take hold. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the comics or just looking for a well-crafted horror film, this one is well worth seeing.



IN CINEMAS OCTOBER 10
Also screening at MONSTER FEST 2024
Click HERE for dates and venues

Running Time: 99 Minutes
Rating: MA 15+


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Images are courtesy of Rialto Distribution