Hellboy: The Crooked Man Surges to Hulu’s #1 Spot Despite Mixed Reviews

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Initially, it appeared that the comic book franchise was about to regain momentum after the disappointing 2019 reboot featuring David Harbour. However, a fresh, darker interpretation unveiled in 2024 didn’t significantly improve the situation. Remarkably, despite its box office failure, the film has recently experienced an unexpected surge on streaming platforms, becoming the top pick on their chart upon release.

Under the guidance of director Brian Taylor, Jack Kesy steps into the role of Hellboy in the film titled “Hellboy: The Crooked Man“. This time, it deviates from the original graphic novels by Mike Mignola. Unlike its predecessors that splurged their budgets on vast urban landscapes and hordes of monsters, this installment is set in a chilling, misty backdrop of 1950s Appalachia. Here, Hellboy joins forces with a local combatant named Tom, who possesses deep insights into the dark folklore of the region. Their task appears straightforward – confronting the enigmatic supernatural being known as the Crooked Man. However, his malevolent power corrupts anyone who gets too close.

Initial anticipation for the latest installment in the Hellboy series ran high among long-time fans, who were expecting a shift from grand visual spectacles towards a grim, unsettling narrative that echoed the comics’ tone. To some extent, this transformation occurred; however, despite being less extravagant than Guillermo del Toro’s films with Ron Perlman and the 2019 reboot, it still struggled to escape the “rotten” reviews from both audiences and critics due to several lingering issues.

The film “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” currently has a 38% rating on the Tomatometer and 54% on the Popcornmeter at Rotten Tomatoes. However, it struck a chord with a specific audience – fans of Mignola’s comics. To illustrate this, Alyssa N’s review of 0.5/5 says, “This is abysmal. I don’t know where to begin, but the script, acting (except for Rudolph and a little from the actor portraying Tom) – which points to the direction – leaves much to be desired. I implore you not to waste your time.

Instead, What’ever N presents a starkly contrasting viewpoint, stating, “True Hellboy fans will adore this movie. It faithfully captures the essence of the comics. Critics who dislike the film have personal biases, as they’ve likely never read any of these graphic novels. One unfavorable review from a well-regarded critic even complained that the film was too loyal to the comic, while another disliked the storyline…Really?

‘Hellboy: The Crooked Man’ Is Winning on Streaming

As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed that many films seem to get a second chance when they hit streaming platforms, despite underperforming at the box office and receiving negative reviews initially. However, the case of Hellboy: The Crooked Man is quite unique. It seems that more and more viewers are discovering this movie, giving it a chance after its initial release, and surprisingly enjoying it once they’ve delved into its story.

Initially, when the movie premiered, it received mediocre reviews from the audience, and this certainly didn’t boost its box office performance, as it only managed to earn $2 million despite a production budget of $20 million. However, since its release on Hulu, many more positive reviews have surfaced.

Despite its ups and downs, Hellboy remains a captivating figure who keeps audiences engaged, and there’s an ongoing desire to witness more of him on-screen. Although The Crooked Man doesn’t seem to be triggering immediate plans for another film, the possibility always lingers that streaming platforms might one day offer a suitable platform for a reboot of this beloved character.

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2025-03-11 16:32