Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy, caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge.
It’s frustrating to watch a franchise with so much potential, rich mythology, and a charismatic main character like Hellboy turn into such a soulless mess. This 2019 version tries to step away from Del Toro’s legacy, but instead of finding its own voice, it gets lost in a whirlwind of blood, noise, and poor decisions.
From the start, it feels like no one really knew what kind of movie they were making. The script is a disaster: characters show up with zero introduction, subplots come and go without weight, and everything stumbles forward as if several drafts were thrown in a blender and set to max speed. Some scenes could have worked, but the lack of clear direction and chaotic editing ruin any momentum.
David Harbour does what he can and occasionally captures that world-weary Hellboy vibe, but the script gives him no room to breathe. The tone shifts constantly—from gratuitous gore to teenage jokes to forced family drama—without anything clicking into place. It feels like watching an extended trailer for something that never really starts.
Visually, it has its moments. Some creature designs are cool, and it certainly doesn’t hold back on effects. But that’s meaningless if you don’t know why they’re there or what role they play. Everything feels shallow, like they focused more on making things “happen” than telling a coherent story.
In the end, it’s a failed reboot that neither understands the character nor his world. It’s not bad because it’s different—it’s bad because it’s poorly built from the ground up. And the saddest part? Even in the middle of this wreck, you still try to find something redeemable… just because it’s Hellboy.
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