“Hellboy: The Crooked Man” released its first trailer with Jack Kesy as the demonic superhero

First look at Hellboy in the trailer for “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” Credits: X/@DiscussingFilm

Hellboy, the superhero created by Mike Mignola, returns to the big screen this year, this time played by Jack Kesy, who will be the third actor to bring the legendary character to life.

This first trailer stands out for providing an atmosphere far removed from previous adaptations that leaned towards action and science fiction to focus on terror and suspense, something that many fans of Mignola’s comics have welcomed.

The trailer opens with serene views of Appalachian trees and hills, but quickly reveals that something sinister is afoot. “It smells like death,” Kesy’s Hellboy declares. As the trailer progresses, scenes of a levitating woman, a snake bite, and insect infestations appear, among other disturbing images.

Jack Kesy was the actor chosen to bring Hellboy to life in this horror-focused adaptation (Credits: KETCHUP ENTERTAINMENT)

Based on the comic book miniseries of the same name by Mignola and artist Richard Corben, “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” is set in the 1950s. Adeline Rudolph stars as a rookie BPRD (Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense) agent who teams up with Hellboy to protect the people of Appalachia from the Crooked Man, a character who collects souls for the Devil.

In comic book mythology, Hellboy was discovered as an infant demon by Professor Trevor “Broom” Bruttenholm, founder of the BPRD, and raised to defend humanity from monsters. Throughout his long life, Hellboy frequently collaborates with the BPRD to solve paranormal mysteries and battle demons.

Mike Mignola, creator of the Hellboy comics, is in charge of the script for this new film adaptation (Credits: Instagram/Hellboy)

Along with Kesy and Rudolph, the cast of “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” includes Jefferson White as Tom Ferrel, Leah McNamara as Effie Kolb, Joseph Marcell as Reverend Watts, Hannah Margetson as Cora Fisher and Martin Bassindale as the Crooked Man, among others.

The script for the new film was co-written by Mignola himself and Christopher Golden, Mignola’s recurring collaborator on the Hellboy-adjacent comics. The film was directed by Brian Taylor and was shot in Bulgaria between March and May 2023.

“Hellboy: The Crooked Man” is the first Hellboy film since the 2019 reboot starring David Harbour, which received mostly negative reviews with a 17% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The 2019 adaptation of “Hellboy” received mostly negative reviews (Lionsgate Films)

Meanwhile, the first two Hellboy films were directed by Guillermo del Toro and starred Ron Perlman, and were critically acclaimed thanks to the Mexican director’s vision.

Over the years, Hellboy comics have featured epic sagas and self-contained short stories. The 2019 film explored the character’s fate and his relationship with mythical figures like Baba Yaga. This new installment will focus on one of the shorter stories in the Hellboy universe. Jeffrey Greenstein, president of the production company Millennium, shared more details about the plans for this new adaptation, assuring that a whole saga focused on the “child from hell” is on the way.

Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy adaptations released in 2004 and 2008 are considered the best films about the character (Sony Pictures)

“The Crooked Man marks a departure from all previous Hellboy films, as Mike Mignola and the comics creator will finally bring an authentic take on the stories and characters to the big screen,” said Greenstein. “This is the first in a series of films that will captivate audiences in familiar (and new) ways. Brian Taylor is an expert in every aspect, and I can’t think of a better person to bring this story to life and introduce our audiences to this series of unique and original Hellboy films.”