‘The Bondsman’ Review: A Bloody Good Kevin Bacon Leads Amazon’s Uneven Horror Dramedy

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To a considerable degree, Amazon’s “The Bondsman” succeeds largely because of Kevin Bacon‘s convincing and charming portrayal as Hub Halloran, who transforms from a country musician to a bounty hunter and ultimately an undead demon slayer in the title role.

The star effectively delivers the sitcom’s humor with a well-placed growl, and its emotions with an aptly dejected appearance. He appears extremely stylish while blasting monsters with his reliable shotgun, but also slightly heartwarming in his vulnerable moments. His charm is so potent that he almost manages to turn this peculiar mix of comedic elements, melodies, supernatural gore, and drama into a harmonious symphony, solely by the strength of his determination.

Almost, yet not entirely. Beyond Bacon’s portrayal, the horror comedy is rather inconsistent – intermittently humorous but seldom as funny, heartfelt, or thought-provoking as intended, and never as impactful as its intriguing concept might suggest.

Looking back, it’s interesting to note that I was most entertained during the “this season preview” segment at the premiere. The concept presented by creator Grainger David seems quite intriguing on paper, especially for those who enjoy a mix of gruesome and supernatural elements. The story revolves around Hub, a character who is brought back to life after his murder one night, only to be drafted as a bondsman for the Devil. His new role involves tracking down the demons that continue to infiltrate the peaceful rural town of Landry, Georgia.

In a fresh second chance, Hub avoids Hell temporarily, but more importantly, it offers him a chance to correct past mistakes. His most significant errors were stubbornness, impulsive anger, and an unyielding sense of pride, which led to the estrangement of his ex-wife Maryanne (Jennifer Nettles from The Righteous Gemstones) and their son Cade (Maxwell Jenkins).

However, it’s worth considering the enigma behind the action that led to his being consigned to eternal condemnation initially, despite appearing to be just an ordinary miscreant – with his flaws evident, as even his loving mother (played by Beth Grant as Kitty) acknowledges, but not inherently wicked.

As someone who’s a huge fan, it feels fitting for a Blumhouse production like “The Bondsman” to fully dive into the gritty horror that its concept presents. The injury to Hub’s throat, the one that ultimately takes his life initially, isn’t a neat, clean cut but a gaping, wet wound so large that when Hub tries to smoke, puffs of smoke escape from it, much like Sylvia Sidney’s character in “Beetlejuice.

In other scenes, we witness gruesome sights such as disfigured hands and detached limbs, heads crushed or torn apart, and entrails pouring out from a ruptured body. Despite not being particularly terrifying, the series is fond of gory visual effects, and it certainly doesn’t skimp on the blood and internal organs.

Although it’s convincingly portrayed, there remains some uncertainty about the execution of the film’s content surrounding the horrific scenes. The narrative of The Bondsman is primarily structured around the concept of atonement, as Hub strives and often falls short in his attempts to be the man his family requires him to be. While this isn’t a deeply moving character study in the traditional sense, Bacon’s performance significantly enhances our desire to support the character despite his frustrating behavior. Even at his most stubborn, the actor manages to convey enough authenticity that it becomes clear why individuals like Maryanne, Cade, and Kitty continue to offer him chances.

Sadly, I find it challenging to develop deep emotions towards this storyline as the characters who are being let down appear insubstantial. The issue isn’t so much with the actors’ performances but rather the writing itself. Grant delivers an entertaining portrayal of a stern churchgoing grandmother who can stand up against even the most ferocious monsters, which makes it a shame we don’t get to explore more about her. Similarly, Nettles’ beautiful voice is the main characteristic of Maryanne, apart from her affection for Hub, and it is used infrequently, making it seem like a missed chance to differentiate The Bondsman from other shows dealing with Satan or the Southern region.

In the story of “The Bondsman“, Lucky (Damon Herriman) serves as the antagonist, vying for Maryanne’s affection against Hub. However, Lucky is more of a one-dimensional plot tool than a fully fleshed-out character. He dons a cowboy hat and speaks with a Boston accent, which initially provides a chuckle due to his town’s disdain for his Red Sox fandom. Yet, the humor wears thin as it becomes clear that the show’s jokes often revolve around “Boston, isn’t it great?” – a recurring punchline that lacks originality.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but be captivated by Midge, a character who stands out even in the presence of Hub. She holds a significant position at the multi-level marketing firm that functions as a cover for the Devil’s earthly operations. Interestingly, unlike Hub, her past and intentions are completely independent, adding an intriguing layer to her character.

An episode focusing on Midge, situated around the middle of the eight-part season, truly shines – not just for subtly expanding our understanding of Hell as portrayed in “The Bondsman”, but also by emphasizing that the world encompasses more than merely a troubled yet endearing protagonist.

However, the elevated stakes in The Bondsman often act as a dual challenge. The story appears to struggle with determining the appropriate tone for Hub’s spiritual turmoil, the impending doom, or the numerous casualties throughout. It’s trapped between an offhand attitude that undermines the gravity of its somber moments, and a cloying sentimentality that rejects straightforward, gritty enjoyment.

For the majority, this series appears unconcerned with crafting a consistent tone and instead zeroes in on the raw, primal thrill of witnessing Hub brutally using a chainsaw on someone’s face, as part of an unusual quest for redemption. This approach succeeds, but solely when there is ample violence involved.

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2025-04-01 20:24