When I saw the trailers for The Crooked Man I, like many others, questioned if it was a genuine feature flick and not some Hellboy fan film.
It seemed to crop up out of nowhere with zero hype, an unknown cast and an apparently miniscule budget.
Encouragingly, though, director Brian Taylor had the blessing of Hellboy creator Mike Mignola – on board as a co-writer – amid suggestions this would be the most faithful adaptation of the demonic character yet.
The Crooked Man is certainly an improvement on Neil Marshall’s doomed 2019 reboot – and if it had that movie’s budget it could even come close to Guillermo del Toro’s two films.
Because the biggest flaw with this take on the red-skinned antihero is just about everything looks cheap.
There isn’t much CGI used but any that is assaults the eyes at a made-for-TV sci-fi horror level and even Hellboy himself comes across as a fanboy cosplaying as the character.
It doesn’t help that relative unknown Jack Kesy lacks the presence and charisma that Ron Perlman and even David Harbour brought to the role.
Perhaps realising this, Taylor (the Crank movies) creates more of an ensemble piece that involves Adeline Rudolph’s agent Bobbie Jo , Jefferson White’s haunted by his past Tom and Joseph Marcell’s blind Reverend Watts .
The villains make the most memorable impression; Martin Bassindale’s Crooked Man and Leah McNamara’s contorting witch EffieKolb are the stuff of nightmares.
Setting events in the 1950s is a smart move as it removes modern technology which, along with the woodland locations, places our heroes in a seemingly inescapable situation and leads to a siege-like atmosphere.
Taylor shoots a couple of excellent moments of body horror too and effectively drives home the mood and atmosphere of a tight, taught, tense tale.
The creative team hope to continue Hellboy’s story throughout the decades and there’s enough here to suggest that would be a journey worth taking – just spend a few more dollars next time, eh?
● What are your thoughts on the Hellboy flicks? Which one is your favourite and would you like to see more?
Pop me an email at [email protected] and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
● Hellboy: The Crooked Man is showing in cinemas now.
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