Why ‘Outcast’ Fans Can’t Miss Kevin Bacon’s Hilarious Demon-Hunting Adventure!

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The new demon-hunting series titled “The Bondsman” by Kevin Bacon is an excellent match to Robert Kirkman’s comic book “Outcast“. Both share dark humor and intense action scenes, but their main appeal lies in the troubled protagonists who battle internal struggles as much as external ones. Although “The Bondsman” has a lighter tone compared to “Outcast”, they are both great choices for horror enthusiasts looking for a captivating story.

In addition to having similar storylines centered around characters, both “The Bondsman” and “Outcast” have a unique connection as they are both set in the American South. This regional backdrop gives them a distinct flavor that sets them apart from many supernatural TV shows. If you enjoyed the two seasons of “Outcast” on Showtime and are unsure about “The Bondsman,” you might find that it fills the void left by the former.

‘The Bondsman’s Premise

David Grainger is responsible for producing “The Bondsman” on Prime Video. This supernatural horror-comedy follows the life of Kevin Bacon as Hub Halloran, a bail bondsman who, along with his mother Kitty Halloran (played by Beth Grant), tracks down fugitives and jumpers in rural Georgia. In the initial episode, Hub manages to find one of his targets but ends up getting shot in the back and his throat slashed. Remarkably, Hub’s lifeless body is later revived mysteriously, and he continues with his work as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

After Hub’s neck wound miraculously mends and three mysterious marks show up on his wrist, Hub becomes suspicious of something ominous happening. When Hub’s bounty takes Kitty’s truck without permission, the mother-son pair embark on a chase through their small town. As Hub grapples with the mysteries surrounding his new undead life, he seeks counsel from Maryanne Dice (Jennifer Nettles), an old flame and rising country-Western singer who harbors ambitions for stardom in Nashville.

What’s particularly entertaining about the show’s premise is that Hub’s job remains largely unchanged even after he discovers he has been murdered and resurrected. Instead, he finds himself tracking down demons plaguing the region, with a local church being led by Lucky (Damon Harriman). The show masterfully blends horror and comedy in a way that sometimes eludes Outcast, despite it originating from a comic book. Essentially, The Bondsman is more light-hearted and humorous compared to the darker tones of Outcast.

‘The Bondsman’s Hub Halloran Vs. ‘Outcast’s Kyle Barnes

In terms of tone, “The Bondsman” resembles shows like “Ash vs Evil Dead” or “Hap and Leonard”, but its main character is akin to the protagonist in “Outcast”. The storyline of “Outcast” revolves around Kyle Barnes (Patrick Fugit), a troubled individual who has been tormented by demonic possession throughout his life. Similarly, Hub grapples with understanding why he’s been brought back to life and tasked with hunting demons, much like how Kyle is on a quest to discover why he can’t expel the demonic influence from his own soul.

The main characters in both series struggle from the start about which malevolent force they need to eliminate, making them relatable figures who straddle the boundary between righteousness and wickedness. This common theme is what primarily connects these two horror series. Additionally, both characters experience being possessed by demons, a shared experience that gives Hub and Kyle a distinctive viewpoint.

The similarity between The Bondsman and Outcast is their shared Southern American backdrop. While Outcast was filmed in South Carolina, it takes place in the small town of Rome, West Virginia. In contrast, The Bondsman unfolds in rural Georgia, with Beth Grant, a native of Alabama, bringing an authentic Southern flair to her performances as she often does. Jolene Purdy, who played alongside Grant in Donnie Darko, reappears in The Bondsman as Midge, and just like Donnie Darko, this film is also set in Virginia.

‘The Bondsman’s Tone Is More Comic Booky Than ‘Outcast’

In contrast to the quick 30-minute installments of “The Bondsman” versus the hour-long installments of “Outcast”, the divide between comedy and drama is most evident. While “Outcast” is adapted from Robert Kirkman’s comic book, humorous moments are rare. Instead, it presents a serious and suspenseful tone as Kyle battles with his troubled conscience, trying to repair the damage he caused to his wife and daughter.

Consequently, “Outcast” shares a similar level of terror with “Stir of Echoes,” while “The Bondsman” aligns more with the humor-tinged horror of “Tremors.” Both television series are worth watching, offering unique takes on fear, though they differ significantly in their overall atmosphere and mood.

In a nutshell, “The Bondsman” offers an abundance of action, intense brawls, and gruesome gunfights, while “Outcast” leans towards contemplation and drama. Yet, both series provide the relentless violence that fans crave in a supernatural horror series. Although Kevin Bacon exudes more weight and cinematic presence compared to Patrick Fugit, both shows are driven by the internal struggles their primary characters undergo as they strive for spiritual salvation.

Initially, The Bondsman received a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, but over time it has come to share a closer resemblance with Outcast. Currently, The Bondsman has an 83% Critic Rating and 74% Audience Score, while Outcast boasts an 81% Critic Rating and 83% Audience Score. Both shows have similar IMDb ratings, with The Bondsman at 7.4 and Outcast at 7.3. Consequently, beyond their shared themes, both series appeal to a wide range of viewers in much the same way.

The Bondsman is available to stream on Prime Video.

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2025-04-06 20:32