The beloved demonic anti-hero returns in Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024), a dark and gritty reboot of the Hellboy franchise, based on the comic series by Mike Mignola. Directed by Brian Taylor, this new installment promises to take Hellboy back to his roots, delivering a terrifying blend of horror, supernatural elements, and twisted folklore. With a fresh take on the character and a darker tone, Hellboy: The Crooked Man is set to reinvigorate the franchise and appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers.
The trailer opens with a series of haunting images—fog-covered forests, crumbling churches, and ominous figures lurking in the shadows. A voiceover begins, with a deep Southern drawl warning of an ancient evil. “The hills around here… they ain’t like nowhere else. Things walk in the dark that don’t belong to this world.”
The scene shifts to 1950s Appalachia, where Hellboy (now portrayed by Jack Kesy) is sent to investigate strange occurrences. With his trademark stone fist and devilish horns filed down, Hellboy immediately stands out as a supernatural force in an otherwise eerie, desolate setting. His rugged, no-nonsense demeanor clashes with the unsettling silence of the backwoods, setting the tone for a terrifying and atmospheric story.
As Hellboy delves deeper into the mystery, he encounters Tom Ferrell (played by Jefferson White), a man with a dark past tied to the evil plaguing the region. Together, they embark on a journey to confront a sinister figure known only as “The Crooked Man” (played by a menacing actor). This deformed and demonic entity, tied to old Appalachian folklore, rules over the cursed land with the help of witches, undead minions, and black magic.
The trailer teases terrifying encounters with grotesque creatures and eerie landscapes, from possessed villagers to twisted rituals performed deep in the woods. Hellboy’s characteristic dry wit and brute strength are on full display as he faces off against supernatural forces far darker than he’s ever encountered before. The Crooked Man, with his contorted body and haunting voice, is shown performing dark magic, summoning hellish creatures, and making life-threatening deals with those who dare approach him.
Visually, The Crooked Man adopts a more grounded, horror-centric aesthetic, embracing practical effects and dark, atmospheric cinematography. The trailer is filled with moments of high tension—Hellboy wading through swamps, encountering ancient witches, and battling demonic entities under the cover of night. The tone feels more like a horror film than previous Hellboy adaptations, echoing the darker tone of Mignola’s original comic run.
Throughout the trailer, there are nods to Hellboy’s own struggle with his identity, his battle against his dark destiny as the Beast of the Apocalypse, and his desire to help humanity. But this time, the stakes are higher, and the evil he faces is more personal and insidious. The trailer also hints at deepening Hellboy’s relationship with his allies, but the focus remains on his battle against the Crooked Man and the ancient, cursed land of Appalachia.
The final moments of the trailer are packed with intense action and horror. Hellboy, armed with his iconic revolver and unstoppable strength, confronts The Crooked Man in a bone-chilling scene. “I’ve seen hell,” Hellboy snarls, “and you’re not it.” But the Crooked Man smiles, his crooked fingers stretching toward Hellboy as flames engulf the screen.
With a reported budget of $40-50 million, Hellboy: The Crooked Man is smaller in scale than previous big-budget Hellboy films, but the emphasis on horror and storytelling promises a more intimate and terrifying experience. The trailer hints at a return to the darker roots of the comics, offering a new and refreshing take on the beloved character.
Set for release in 2024, Hellboy: The Crooked Man is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated horror-fantasy films of the year, bringing Hellboy back to his grim and gruesome origins in a story that will chill audiences to the bone.
