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Surgeons of Horror

~ Dissecting horror films

Surgeons of Horror

Category Archives: Movie review

Zombie Kangaroo Rippy Takes a Bite Out of Aussie Horror in The Red

30 Wednesday Oct 2024

Posted by surgeons of horror in Movie review

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aaron pedersen, angie milliken, australian film, Australian Horror, creature feature, horror, kangaroo, michael biehn, movies, review, rippy, tess haubrich

Australia has long mastered the art of transforming its wild, often dangerous natural environment into the stuff of horror legend. From Razorback‘s ferocious wild boar to Rogue’s man-eating crocodile and The Reef‘s relentless shark, Aussie horror films have found a niche in turning the country’s flora and fauna into nightmare fuel. Now, The Red tries its luck with a new terror—Rippy, the giant zombie kangaroo, who’s taking the outback’s reputation for dangerous wildlife to absurd new heights.

While The Red is steeped in gimmickry, Rippy’s story has just enough originality and humor to keep it from feeling stale. The film leans hard into its outrageous premise, following the havoc-wreaking, undead kangaroo as it terrorises the tiny town of Axehead. The premise alone is undoubtedly outlandish, and director Rhys Chapman is well aware of the absurdity; he amps up the comedic horror elements, encouraging audiences to revel in Rippy’s carnage. Yet, beneath the zany concept, there’s a steady effort to elevate the story with strong character performances—something that makes The Red stand out among other Aussie creature features.

At the heart of The Red are performances that bring depth to an otherwise campy storyline. Aaron Pedersen shines as the stoic but increasingly exasperated local, adding gravitas to scenes that might otherwise be overwhelmed by the film’s over-the-top antics. His ability to balance seriousness with humour gives the movie its grounding force, making even the most ludicrous moments feel slightly more plausible. Michael Biehn, a beloved name from genre classics like The Terminator and Aliens, steps in with his signature ruggedness, adding weight to the film’s more intense sequences and elevating Rippy’s rampage from pure comedy to something a bit more sinister. Their presence and commitment to their roles help counterbalance the camp factor, giving The Red an unexpected sense of charm.

Yet for all its strengths, The Red doesn’t quite manage to claw its way out of mediocrity. The film’s relentless commitment to its zombie kangaroo premise may not appeal to everyone, with the comedy often overshadowing the horror. Rippy is memorable, if only for his sheer ridiculousness, but he lacks the lasting menace of some of Australia’s other cinematic creatures. Still, The Red will likely find a niche audience who appreciates the tongue-in-cheek approach and the thrill of watching another Australian animal wreak havoc.

The Prognosis:

The Red may not have the lasting power of Australia’s more fearsome horror creatures, but for fans of genre-bending horror and quirky creature features, it’s worth a watch. Pedersen and Biehn’s solid performances keep it engaging enough, and even if Rippy doesn’t become Australia’s next horror icon, he’s definitely unforgettable.

  • Saul Muerte

‘RIPPY’S GONE ROGUE’ AUSSIE ZOMBIE KANGAROO FILM ‘THE RED’ IN AUSTRALIAN CINEMAS OCTOBER 31

The Moogai: A Haunting Tale of Generational Trauma and Cultural Survival

29 Tuesday Oct 2024

Posted by surgeons of horror in Movie review

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jon bell, meyne wyatt, shari sebbens, sundance, the moogai

The Moogai, starring Shari Sebbens and Meyne Wyatt, is an ambitious psychological horror that melds the supernatural with the tragic legacy of Australia’s Stolen Generation. The story centres on Sarah and Fergus, a young Aboriginal couple whose lives spiral when Sarah becomes haunted by a spirit determined to take her newborn. This directorial debut by Jon Bell, adapted from his short film, strives to provide a chilling horror experience with a powerful First Nations narrative.

Despite the film’s budgetary constraints, The Moogai is undeniably commendable in its commitment to amplifying voices that mainstream media too often overlooks. Bell takes a significant risk in intertwining supernatural horror with the raw, historical trauma of the Stolen Generation. This choice lends the story an authentic weight, one that can make even its quieter moments unsettling for the viewer. The horror of the “Moogai” itself is as much about cultural survival and memory as it is about a literal, child-stealing spirit, making it a film that resonates more deeply than a typical thriller. Here, Bell taps into the boogeyman myth as a metaphor for loss, embodying the threat of erasure that has haunted Indigenous communities for generations.

However, as a horror feature, The Moogai struggles with pacing and tonal consistency. While Sebbens and Wyatt deliver committed performances, the film sometimes feels stretched too thin, with sequences that linger without building tension. These extended moments, though perhaps intended to evoke dread, often risk losing the viewer’s engagement. The film’s slow pacing requires a degree of patience, especially from audiences seeking fast-paced scares or intense suspense. This restraint may deter some horror fans, but for others, it offers a subtle, unsettling atmosphere that builds the film’s thematic power more than its thrill factor.

Where The Moogai shines is in its reflection of trauma and resilience. Sebbens’ portrayal of Sarah’s unraveling captures the disorienting fear of feeling unseen, not just by loved ones but by society at large. Wyatt’s Fergus is equally poignant as a husband and father torn between wanting to believe in Sarah’s haunting visions and fearing for her sanity. Their struggle mirrors the broader fight of First Nations people to have their truths recognised, to see their experiences validated rather than dismissed. The film becomes a haunting metaphor, echoing the cries of stolen generations and emphasising how grief, if unaddressed, can haunt each new generation.

The Prognosis:

The Moogai may not entirely satisfy as a spine-tingling horror, but its significance as a cultural narrative is undeniable. Its imperfections can’t detract from the boldness of its vision and the necessity of its message. Bell has crafted a film that, while limited in scope and budget, brings to light a story that deserves to be shared and reflected upon. The film’s power lies in its willingness to confront the horrors inflicted upon Indigenous communities, merging supernatural dread with the very real hauntings of history.

  • Saul Muerte

The Moogai will be screening in cinemas from October 31st.

Christmas Carnage: Art the Clown Returns in Terrifier 3 with Dark Humor and Even Darker Gore

29 Tuesday Oct 2024

Posted by surgeons of horror in Movie review

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art the clown, chris jericho, clint howard, damien leone, daniel roebuck, david howard thornton, horror, jason patric, lauren lavera, slasherverse, terrifier, terrifier-3, Tom Savini

With Terrifier 3, Damien Leone returns to the screen with another round of high-intensity slasher fare featuring Art the Clown. This time, however, Art trades in his usual Halloween night escapades for a yuletide twist, bringing a nightmarish take to the holiday season. In doing so, Leone melds Christmas cheer with dark humour and, unsurprisingly, his characteristic penchant for pushing practical effects to their bloody limits.

The film doubles down on what made its predecessors so distinct, using extreme gore and practical effects that make even seasoned horror fans squirm. Leone clearly revels in finding inventive—and unflinchingly gruesome—ways to dispatch his victims, pushing the boundaries of mainstream horror effects. This choice may not be to everyone’s taste; the Terrifier series is notorious for teetering at the edge of what’s acceptable in horror, and Terrifier 3 is no exception. Yet, Leone’s commitment to the practical, visceral nature of his effects keeps fans coming back for more.

Art’s shift to the holiday season brings a fresh layer of dark irony, with the contrast between holiday warmth and Art’s merciless brutality. Lauren LaVera returns as Sierra, delivering a performance that brings much-needed gravitas and weight. In a landscape drenched in Art’s unhinged humor—delivered with menacing glee by David Howard Thornton—LaVera provides a grounded presence that strengthens the emotional stakes. She holds her own against the increasingly chaotic energy of Art, continuing her trajectory as a worthy foil and survivor in Leone’s slasherverse.

Adding to the film’s appeal are the entertaining cameo appearances by Clint Howard, Daniel Roebuck, Chris Jericho, horror effects icon Tom Savini, and Jason Patric. Each brings a tongue-in-cheek quality to their scenes, adding a sly wink to horror fans who appreciate genre legends popping up in unexpected places. Savini’s presence, in particular, feels like a nod to horror’s dedication to practical effects, grounding Leone’s splatterfest in the legacy of horror cinema. These cameos lighten the mood at crucial moments, balancing out the unrelenting gore and further amplifying the film’s dark humor.

The Prognosis:

For fans of the series and die-hard horror aficionados, Terrifier 3 delivers. It’s bold, unapologetically over-the-top, and manages to stick to its roots while injecting a fresh, sinister seasonal twist. As divisive as it may be for some viewers, Terrifier 3 captures the raw spirit of horror with plenty of festive frights and fan-favourite faces, making it a holiday slasher like no other.

  • Saul Muerte

Woman of the Hour (2024): A Chilling Thriller in a Glossy Frame

22 Tuesday Oct 2024

Posted by surgeons of horror in Movie review

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anna kendrick, daniel zovatto, film, movies, netflix, netflix australia, thriller

Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, takes on a chilling real-life story—Rodney Alcala, the infamous “Dating Game Killer.” In 1978, Alcala appeared on the popular TV show The Dating Game in the middle of a brutal killing spree. Kendrick not only directs but stars as Cheryl Bradshaw, the unwitting contestant opposite Alcala (Daniel Zovatto), whose charm on-screen masked his true, horrifying nature. It’s a fascinating premise, blending the glitz of a Hollywood game show with the sinister undercurrent of a serial killer hiding in plain sight.

What Woman of the Hour gets right is its ability to shock. The film doesn’t shy away from unsettling moments, particularly in the quieter scenes where Alcala’s sociopathic tendencies creep to the surface. Zovatto’s portrayal of Alcala is convincingly cold, and the moments of tension between him and Kendrick’s Bradshaw deliver the kind of unsettling atmosphere that one expects from a crime thriller. Kendrick’s nuanced performance carries Cheryl’s vulnerability and growing unease in the face of Alcala’s facade, making the character relatable and grounded in the surreal horror unfolding around her.

However, while the subject matter is disturbing, the film often feels too sugar-coated. There’s a Hollywood sheen that distracts from the gritty reality of Alcala’s monstrous acts. The stylized presentation of The Dating Game era, with its bright lights and campy format, clashes with the darkness beneath the surface. This juxtaposition feels deliberate, but the film doesn’t always balance it well, often glazing over the true terror of the situation. It’s as if Woman of the Hour is afraid to fully descend into the horror, opting for a thriller that plays it safe rather than delving deeply into the grotesque nature of Alcala’s crimes.

The movie works best when it lets the reality of Alcala’s actions bleed through the showbiz gloss. There are moments where the film breaks the bright exterior to hint at the true horrors Alcala was committing during the time. These moments are genuinely disturbing but too few and far between, making the film feel more like a dramatization than a full exploration of Alcala’s twisted psyche.

The Prognosis:

Woman of the Hour is an intriguing crime thriller with strong performances and an inherently fascinating true-crime angle. However, its reliance on surface-level thrills and polished presentation ultimately holds it back from becoming the gripping, deep-dive examination that the story demands. It leaves viewers with the unsettling truth of what Alcala did but doesn’t push far enough to leave a lasting impact. The film’s draw lies in its shocking subject matter, but it feels like a case of style over substance, never quite willing to peel away the layers of horror lurking beneath.

  • Saul Muerte

Woman of the Hour is currently streaming on Netflix.

Azrael (2024): A Silent Scream That Fizzles Out

22 Tuesday Oct 2024

Posted by surgeons of horror in Movie review

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e.m. katz, film, horror, reviews, Samara Weaving, shudder, shudder australia

“Azrael,” the latest action-horror from E.L. Katz, delivers a premise that sounds intriguing on paper—an eerie world devoid of speech, where a brutal female-led cult relentlessly hunts an escaped prisoner. Add the ever-captivating Samara Weaving into the mix, and expectations for some gripping, visceral action naturally rise. But while the film presents a brave, somewhat daring attempt to create a unique atmosphere, it ultimately falls short of delivering anything with real substance.

Weaving, known for her sharp intensity in past roles, undoubtedly carries the weight of the film on her shoulders. Her portrayal of Azrael, a woman fighting tooth and nail for survival, does bring some much-needed energy to the screen. When the action finally arrives, it’s clear that Weaving is skilled at kicking butt. Yet even her talent can’t save the film from its sluggish pace and lack of depth. It takes an eternity for the narrative to shift into gear, and by the time it does, the payoff feels disappointingly underwhelming.

The lack of dialogue is clearly intended to enhance the atmosphere, creating an unsettling and immersive world where silence is a weapon. However, the film’s over-reliance on this stylistic choice backfires. Without any meaningful verbal exchanges, the story begins to feel as barren as the film’s haunting wilderness setting. What could have been a tension-building device instead results in a narrative that often drags, leaving the audience feeling disconnected.

Visually, the film does have its moments. The desolate landscapes and stark imagery evoke a sense of isolation, and the concept of a voiceless world initially adds an eerie, unsettling layer. But these strengths aren’t enough to compensate for the weak character development and the rather predictable plot. The film meanders, and when it finally hits its stride in the action department, it’s too little, too late. Weaving is given far too few opportunities to shine, and the action sequences, though well-choreographed, lack the punch needed to make a lasting impact.

The Prognosis:

“Azrael” is a film with plenty of ambition, but it’s an example of how high-concept ideas require more than just a strong lead actor to succeed. It’s a brave effort from Katz, but without a stronger narrative core and more compelling action, it simply doesn’t have the gravitas to pull off the trick. Samara Weaving may be kicking butt, but even her powerful presence can’t elevate this film beyond its mediocre execution.

  • Saul Muerte

Azrael will stream on Shudder from Fri 25th Oct.

Salem’s Lot (2024): Fangs, but No Bite

18 Friday Oct 2024

Posted by surgeons of horror in Movie review

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alfre woodard, bill camp, film, Gary Dauberman, horror, lewis pullman, makenzie leigh, movies, pilou asbaek, Salem's Lot, salems lot, spencer treat clark, Stephen King, william sadler

When you hear Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot is getting a new adaptation, there’s an immediate buzz for horror fans. After all, the 1979 miniseries set a high bar with its chilling atmosphere, notable moments, and David Soul’s iconic portrayal of Ben Mears. Sadly, this latest version tries to sink its teeth into King’s vampiric tale but lacks the vitality to make a lasting impression.

Directed by Gary Dauberman (Annabelle Comes Home), the 2024 Salem’s Lot promises a fresh, modern take on King’s story of a small town overtaken by ancient evil. There are fleeting moments of intrigue that tease the potential of the film, scenes where the atmosphere and menace feel tangible. These moments, however, are not enough to redeem an adaptation that feels strangely bloodless for one of King’s most terrifying novels.

The film suffers from an inability to give its cast anything meaningful to work with, despite the rich source material. The ensemble is solid on paper, but in practice, none of the actors have enough depth to bring the story to life. Even with characters like Ben Mears (played by Lewis Pullman) and the sinister Straker (played by Bill Camp), there’s a frustrating lack of emotional resonance. The result is a series of performances that feel flat, as though the cast was given little to sink their teeth into—despite King’s novel offering plenty of opportunities for real emotional and psychological heft.

Visually, the film often falls into familiar traps, delivering dark, moody settings without offering much innovation. There are glimmers of suspense, but the scares never truly land. It feels like the film is playing it too safe, rather than embracing the gothic horror and creeping dread that made Salem’s Lot so beloved. What we get instead is a product that looks slick but lacks any real heart—a soul-less retread of familiar territory. (Yes, David Soul, pun intended.)

The biggest disappointment is how the adaptation squanders King’s brilliant narrative about small-town evil and the creeping rot of corruption. Rather than leaning into the novel’s rich themes and psychological terror, the film relies too heavily on surface-level spooks. It lacks the depth that made both King’s novel and the 1979 miniseries so enduring. The filmmakers seem content with a pale imitation of the original, rather than delivering something that truly bites.

The Prognosis:

Salem’s Lot (2024) is a missed opportunity. It does just enough to lure you in, but leaves you feeling unsatisfied, much like the pale, lifeless creatures it tries to evoke. For diehard fans of King’s work, it may hold some interest. For everyone else, it’s a lesson in how even the most powerful stories can end up feeling anemic when the right spark is missing.

A fitting metaphor for this latest entry: like a vampire with no blood to drain, it ultimately fails to live.

  • Saul Muerte

Strange Darling: A Thrilling Puzzle That Teeters on Its Twists

16 Wednesday Oct 2024

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barbara hershey, ed begley jr, giovani ribisi, horror, jt mollner, kyle gallner, strange darling, willa fitzgerald

JT Mollner’s Strange Darling is a thriller that takes an intriguing approach to a familiar narrative, using a fractured, nonlinear structure to elevate its suspense. Set in rural Oregon, this tense cat-and-mouse game stars Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner, whose performances help keep the film grounded, even as the plot contorts and shifts like the twisted mind of the serial killer at its core. The use of six chapters to recount a serial killer’s spree, told out of order, adds a fresh spin on the genre but doesn’t entirely escape the trappings of its narrative gimmick.

One of the film’s strongest aspects is its storytelling device. The nonlinear arrangement keeps the audience on edge, forcing us to piece together events as they unfold out of sequence. This fractured perspective works well to heighten the sense of disorientation and paranoia, placing us in the characters’ shoes. Mollner’s script is tightly knit, allowing for moments of true tension and chilling revelations, and the shifts in perspective between the man and the woman engaging in this deadly game of pursuit add emotional depth to the thrills.

Giovanni Ribisi’s cinematography on 35mm film elevates the tension further. The grainy texture and moody visuals enhance the atmosphere, creating a haunting backdrop for the chaos that unfolds. Rural Oregon comes to life as a cold, isolated landscape—perfectly suited for the grim events that take place.

Fitzgerald and Gallner shine in their respective roles, with Fitzgerald balancing vulnerability and menace in a way that keeps her character unpredictable. Gallner’s performance carries a weight of darkness that lingers, making their dynamic a crucial point of the film’s success. The supporting cast, including veteran actors Barbara Hershey and Ed Begley Jr., add credibility and presence to the film, even in smaller roles.

However, the film’s nonlinear presentation becomes a double-edged sword. While it cleverly pulls the rug out from under the audience multiple times, it also leans heavily on this trick. The twist-heavy narrative begins to feel more like a puzzle box of shocks rather than a cohesive tale with deeper thematic resonance. It’s effective in its moments, but as the story moves toward its conclusion, the reliance on narrative twists somewhat diminishes the emotional impact.

Though its reliance on twists may occasionally feel like a crutch, Strange Darling captivates with its gripping performances and inventive structure. It’s a thriller that keeps you guessing and pondering long after the pieces have fallen into place.

  • Saul Muerte

MadS – A Mesmerizing, One-Shot Descent into Chaos

15 Tuesday Oct 2024

Posted by surgeons of horror in Movie review

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David Moreau, film, horror, Lucille Guillaume, Milton Riche, Movie review, movies, reviews, shudder, shudder australia

MadS, premiering on Shudder Fri Oct 18th, delivers a unique and haunting cinematic experience, thanks to its audacious one-shot technique. The film tells a harrowing end-of-the-world story through a slow, decaying unraveling of both its characters and their reality. With its seamless visual style, MadS manages to capture a gripping narrative that is both unsettling and unnervingly intimate.

The story follows Romain, played by Milton Riche, a teenager who tests a new drug from his dealer before heading out for a night of partying. Things take a surreal and nightmarish turn when he picks up an injured woman on the way home. As the night spirals out of control, reality begins to fracture, plunging both Romain and the audience into a world of escalating chaos. This disorienting experience is heightened by the film’s single-take format, which immerses viewers directly in the action.

What sets MadS apart is how it masterfully manages its pacing. The one-shot technique could have easily felt gimmicky, but here, it enhances the story’s deeply unsettling atmosphere. The slow unraveling of Romain’s night—and his sanity—feels organic and relentless, with each moment of dread lingering uncomfortably long. The film’s technical precision allows every interaction and event to build tension, which only increases as Romain’s relationship with his girlfriend Anaïs (Lucille Guillaume) begins to fray under the weight of the night’s growing horror.

Milton Riche’s performance as Romain is both raw and captivating. He skillfully portrays Romain’s descent into fear and confusion, making the character’s unraveling feel authentic and deeply affecting. His gradual shift from casual indifference to desperate panic drives the film’s emotional core. Lucille Guillaume, playing Anaïs, brings a grounded intensity to her role, offering a fragile yet determined counterbalance to Romain’s increasingly erratic behavior.

The film’s technical prowess extends beyond its performances, as the one-shot approach works in tandem with moody lighting and a haunting soundscape to amplify the film’s surreal atmosphere. The unbroken, continuous shot offers no escape from the mounting tension, leaving viewers trapped alongside Romain as he navigates dark streets, ominous encounters, and the looming threat of an unseen, pervasive force.

While MadS dips into abstract and surreal territory, leaving parts of its story open to interpretation, this ambiguity works in its favor. The film thrives on its ability to create discomfort and uncertainty, making every moment feel unpredictable and charged with menace. Its dreamlike quality makes the viewer question what is real and what is the product of Romain’s altered state, adding to the growing sense of helplessness.

At its core, MadS is about the fear of losing control—over oneself, one’s reality, and the future. This exploration of chaos and disintegration, both personal and external, is captured in every frame, making it a haunting and thought-provoking film.

The Prognosis:

MadS delivers a chilling and captivating one-shot experience. Its unique style, unsettling performances, and slow-burn tension make it a standout feature on Shudder. For fans of immersive, psychological horror, MadS is a must-watch, offering a powerful reflection on the fragility of reality when chaos takes hold.

  • Saul Muerte

MadS will be streaming on Shudder from Fri 18 Oct

Daddy’s Head – A Sinister Take on Familiar Terrors

08 Tuesday Oct 2024

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benjamin barfoot, film, horror, julia brown, nathaniel martello-white, review, reviews, rupert turnbull, shudder, shudder australia

Shudder’s latest original, Daddy’s Head, follows a path well-trodden in horror, diving into themes of grief, mental health, and the complicated relationship between a grieving child and a struggling stepmother. While these are common threads in horror cinema, Daddy’s Head still manages to carve out moments of eerie tension that linger long after the film’s conclusion.

Set in the vast isolation of a rural estate, the film places the young boy at its emotional core. His confusion and loss after the sudden death of his father create an unsettling atmosphere, one that is heightened by his stepmother’s emotional distance. As the boy becomes haunted by a grotesque creature resembling his father, his stepmother dismisses his warnings, believing them to be mere figments of a grieving mind. This dismissal, of course, only tightens the grip of the sinister entity, with the boy’s warnings becoming more urgent.

Where Daddy’s Head shines is in the execution of its most disturbing moments. The eerie sounds echoing through the halls, the glimpses of the monstrous father figure, and the growing tension between the boy and his stepmother all contribute to a sense of creeping dread. The film effectively taps into the fear of being ignored when something truly menacing is lurking just out of sight.

However, it’s hard to ignore that Daddy’s Head leans heavily on well-known tropes. The child who sees what the adults don’t, the stepmother struggling to fill the role of parent, and the supernatural manifestation of unresolved grief all feel familiar. While the film crafts a decent narrative around these elements, it doesn’t quite escape the shadow of similar films that have come before it.

The Prognosis:

In spite of its predictability, Daddy’s Head does manage to resonate thanks to its haunting moments and unsettling creature design. It won’t revolutionise the genre, but it crafts a sufficiently sinister tale that horror fans will find some satisfaction in.

  • Saul Muerte

Daddy’s Head premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 11 October

Hellboy: The Crooked Man Stumbles Through Shadows, But Fails to Find Its Feet

08 Tuesday Oct 2024

Posted by surgeons of horror in Movie review

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brian taylor, comic film, comics, film, hellboy, hellboy the crooked man, horror, jack kesy, mike mignola, movies, Rialto Distribution

Hellboy: The Crooked Man marks the fourth live-action installment in the Hellboy franchise and, unfortunately, continues the downward trend started by the 2019 Neil Marshall-directed reboot (which, full disclosure, I haven’t seen—so I won’t judge it too harshly). However, what The Crooked Man struggles with most is shaking off the long shadow cast by Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy films, which, if I’m being honest, I hold a bit of bias for given my love for del Toro’s visionary style.

In The Crooked Man, Hellboy, played by Jack Kesy, teams up with a rookie agent from the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD) to face witches and a local demon terrorizing a small 1950s Appalachian community. The setup is atmospheric, dripping with dark and moody rural horror vibes, but the style swings between working well in some moments and feeling like a TV pilot trying to test the waters for more adventures.

While Mike Mignola himself pens the screenplay, keeping the source material’s spirit alive, the execution of that spirit sometimes feels thin. There are certainly eerie moments and a heavy use of gothic imagery, but for all the darkness, the film rarely finds space for genuine scares. The “Crooked Man” villain has some potential, but he never feels quite as menacing as he should be, and the plot doesn’t take the time to build tension or fear effectively.

One thing I will credit the film for is its aesthetic, which evokes a grungy, eerie folklore atmosphere fitting for the Appalachia setting. Yet even here, the film can’t quite find its balance, often coming across as more stylistic than substantive. At times, it feels like a collection of eerie vignettes rather than a cohesive, immersive narrative.

The Prognosis:

Hellboy: The Crooked Man is not without some merit—there are moments where the moody visuals start to work, and the film grows on you as you settle into its world. But it struggles to rise above the feeling of being just another attempt at relaunching Hellboy into mainstream success, and unfortunately, it doesn’t hit the mark. It ends up feeling more like a trial run for something bigger that never quite takes off.

Fans of the comics might appreciate the nods to Mignola’s work but compared to the grand scope of del Toro’s vision for the character, The Crooked Man leaves much to be desired. It’s dark, yes, but not quite deep enough to make a lasting impression.

  • Saul Muerte

HELLBOY: THE CROOKED MAN will release in cinemas nationally on October 10 through Rialto Distribution.

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