Hellboy: The Crooked Man 2024
Directed by
Brian Taylor
Made by
Bulgarian National Film Center
Plot Summary
In the 1950s, B.P.R.D. agents Hellboy and Bobbie Jo Song are tasked with transporting via train a toxic supernatural spider to their headquarters. However, when they cross the Appalachian Mountains, the spider suddenly enlarges to monstrous proportions, forcing their train car to overturn and the spider to escape. Hellboy surmises that the spider grew due to something evil haunting the area, admitting that he heard it calling to him. Left stranded, Hellboy and Bobbie Jo wander until they meet Tom Ferrell, a local who’s recently returned to atone for past sins. The agents accompany Tom to speak with Cora Fisher, a witch and Tom’s ex-girlfriend, only to find the house and Cora’s body empty.
As they wait for the demonic familiar to return with Cora’s full body, Tom regales to the agents he once met Effie Kolb, a witch that attracted him towards witchcraft and convinced him to make a deal with an entity known as “The Crooked Man.” At Effie’s suggestion, Tom used a cat carcass to summon the Crooked Man, that whatever bone he held once the entity arrived would become his lucky bone. However, the sight of the Crooked Man terrified Tom enough to have a change of heart and discard the lucky bone, but it would always return and kept him safe from harm. Tom intends to face the Crooked Man once and for all. When the familiar returns Cora’s body, she reveals to Tom that the local witches want her soul.
To Tom’s shock, Effie arrives on a white horse to collect Cora’s soul. After Hellboy threatens Effie, the white horse suddenly transforms into Tom’s father as Effie escapes. Tom and his father reconcile briefly before he dies. The following morning, Tom, Cora, and the agents walk to a nearby church, owned by Reverend Watts, to bury Tom’s father, but Cora is attacked and killed by a demonic snake. Hellboy kills it, but its bites show him visions of his mother Sara, a witch who made a deal with a demon.
The survivors reach the church, where they are confronted by the Crooked Man and his servants. Tom is tempted to return his lucky bone but Hellboy stops him. As Hellboy battles the demonic horde, the Crooked Man attempts to entice the blind Reverend with youth and sight in exchange for giving up Tom. Watts refuses to give in to temptation and blesses a shovel with Tom’s lucky bone that allows Hellboy to weaken the Crooked Man and neutralize his forces.
Hellboy and Tom chase the Crooked Man to an abandoned mansion but are assaulted with traumatic visions. Bobbie Jo, believing the Crooked Man draws power from the town’s mines, reaches a tunnel system via an access under the church. She disrupts the Crooked Man’s power source with a spell, which frees Hellboy and Tom from the visions and they destroy the Crooked Man.
In the aftermath, Effie ages rapidly, Hellboy and Bobbie Jo are rescued, Tom feels a weight has been lifted from his soul, and a white horse wanders with a warning written on its hide stating, “Beware! I am a Witch!”
Timeline
Transporting the Spider
In the 1950s, B.P.R.D. agents Hellboy and Bobbie Jo Song embark on a mission to transport a toxic supernatural spider via train. Their primary goal is to deliver the creature safely to their headquarters.
Spider Escape
As the train navigates the treacherous Appalachian Mountains, the spider unexpectedly enlarges to monstrous proportions. This sudden growth causes the train car to overturn, allowing the gigantic spider to escape into the wilderness.
The Call of Evil
After the spider's escape, Hellboy senses an evil presence in the area, admitting to Bobbie Jo that he heard it calling to him. Stranded and without their transportation, they begin to wander in search of answers.
Meeting Tom Ferrell
During their wanderings, Hellboy and Bobbie Jo meet Tom Ferrell, a local man who has returned to atone for his past sins. Tom leads them to connect with a witch named Cora Fisher, hoping she can provide help regarding the supernatural events.
Discovering Cora's Fate
Upon arriving at Cora's house, the agents are shocked to find it empty, along with Cora's body missing. They decide to wait for her demonic familiar to return, seeking to understand the true situation.
Tom's Past
As they wait, Tom shares his history with the agents, recounting how he was drawn to witchcraft by Effie Kolb. He describes his fateful encounter with the Crooked Man, revealing how a fateful decision changed his life forever.
The Return of Cora's Body
Cora's familiar finally returns, bringing her body back to Tom. Cora reveals the local witches' intentions to reclaim her soul, adding urgency to their situation and heightening the stakes.
Effie's Arrival
In a shocking turn, Effie arrives on a white horse to claim Cora's soul. After Hellboy confronts her, the horse transforms into Tom's father, leading to a brief reconciliation before his tragic death.
Burying Tom's Father
The following day, Tom, Cora, and the agents head to Reverend Watts' church to bury Tom's father. Their somber journey is interrupted as Cora is suddenly attacked and killed by a demonic snake.
Hellboy's Vision
After killing the demonic snake, Hellboy is bitten and experiences troubling visions of his mother Sara, who was also involved with dark forces. This revelation deepens the connection between Hellboy and the supernatural events unfolding around him.
Confronting the Crooked Man
At the church, the group faces the Crooked Man and his loyal servants. Tom grapples with the temptation to reclaim his lucky bone, but Hellboy prevents him from making the dangerous choice.
Watts Blesses the Shovel
Resisting the Crooked Man's seductive offers, Reverend Watts blesses a shovel using Tom's lucky bone. This act empowers Hellboy, giving him the strength needed to confront the malevolent forces closing in on them.
Chase to the Mansion
In a desperate move, Hellboy and Tom pursue the Crooked Man to an abandoned mansion. There, they are besieged by traumatic visions that test their resolve and the limits of their sanity.
Disrupting the Power Source
Bobbie Jo, convinced that the Crooked Man derives power from the town's mines, finds a tunnel beneath the church. She uses a spell to disrupt this dark power, which frees Hellboy and Tom from their nightmarish visions.
Aftermath and Warnings
With the Crooked Man defeated, Hellboy and Bobbie Jo are rescued, and Tom feels a significant relief from his burdens. A white horse appears, bearing a warning on its hide that reads, 'Beware! I am a Witch!', hinting at the lingering effects of their ordeal.
Characters
Hellboy (Jack Kesy)
Hellboy is a resilient and powerful demon who champions good over evil despite his dark heritage. He struggles with his identity while confronting threats from otherworldly entities, embodying themes of heroism and sacrifice. With his fierce loyalty to his friends, Hellboy seeks to protect those he cares for even at great personal risk.
Tom Ferrell (Jefferson White)
Tom Ferrell is a conflicted character haunted by his past as he seeks redemption and reconnects with his roots. His journey illustrates personal growth as he confronts his mistakes and the dark forces he previously embraced. Driven by a need to atone, Tom becomes a key player in the battle against the Crooked Man, showcasing bravery and determination.
Bobbie Jo Song (Adeline Rudolph)
Bobbie Jo Song is a brave and resourceful B.P.R.D. agent supporting Hellboy in their supernatural mission. She demonstrates quick thinking and courage in the face of danger, playing a vital role in the team's efforts. Her willingness to confront dark powers highlights her dedication to protecting others and tackling wickedness head-on.
Setting
Time period
1950s
The 1950s were marked by a post-war society that often grappled with new cultural shifts and a fascination with the supernatural. This era saw an increase in the exploration of dark themes in media, which ties in with the movie's exploration of witchcraft and dark entities. Against this historical backdrop, Hellboy and his companions navigate both personal and supernatural challenges.
Location
Appalachian Mountains, Local Church, Abandoned Mansion
The Appalachian Mountains are known for their dense forests and rich folklore, serving as the backdrop for supernatural events in the film. A local church becomes a crucial location for the characters, representing hope and refuge amidst chaos. The abandoned mansion stands eerie and foreboding, acting as a setting for the climactic confrontation with the Crooked Man.
Themes
🦠
Supernatural
The film delves into the supernatural realm where toxic entities and witchcraft intertwine. Characters confront their inner demons and outside sinister forces, emphasizing the struggle between good and evil. The presence of the Crooked Man and the witches showcases the ongoing battle against dark forces in the world.
⚔️
Redemption
Tom Ferrell's journey represents a quest for redemption as he seeks to atone for his past mistakes. This theme is central to his character development, showcasing how confronting one’s past can lead to personal growth and peace. The interactions with other characters display the multiple facets of seeking forgiveness and the impact it has on their lives.
🔮
Witchcraft
Witchcraft plays a pivotal role in the narrative, influencing the decisions and fates of the characters. The mystique surrounding witches and their powers provides a lens through which the characters navigate their fate. Themes of temptation and sacrifice highlight the complex relationship between humans and the supernatural.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.