The 2019 Hellboy reboot flopped primarily due to a combination of creative missteps, negative critical reception, and poor audience engagement. Director Neil Marshall attributed its failure, in part, to a script that was excessively faithful to the source comics, which he believed hindered its effective cinematic adaptation.
Creative Direction and Script Issues
According to director Neil Marshall, a significant factor contributing to the film's underperformance was the overly faithful adaptation of the comic book material. Marshall suggested that while fidelity to the source is often praised, in Hellboy's case, it led to a script that struggled to translate well to the big screen. This adherence may have resulted in a narrative that felt disjointed or less cohesive for a cinematic audience, failing to capture the unique flow and pacing required for a successful film.
Critical and Commercial Performance
The film was widely panned by critics and failed to connect with a broader audience, leading to substantial financial losses.
Negative Critical Reception
Hellboy (2019) received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, who frequently cited its clunky narrative, excessive gore without purpose, inconsistent tone, and poor pacing. Many critics felt it lacked the charm, visual flair, and compelling character development of its predecessors.
Here's a snapshot of its critical standing:
Metric | Score | Notes |
---|---|---|
Rotten Tomatoes | 17% (Critics) | Deemed "Rotten" with largely unfavorable reviews. |
Metacritic | 31/100 | Indicating generally unfavorable reviews. |
Poor Box Office Performance
Despite an estimated production budget, the film struggled significantly at the box office. Its worldwide gross barely surpassed its budget, meaning it incurred a substantial loss once marketing and distribution costs were factored in. This made it a commercial failure for Lionsgate.
Audience Disappointment
Beyond critical reviews, the film also struggled to resonate with audiences, leading to low word-of-mouth and a rapid decline in ticket sales after its opening weekend.
- Low CinemaScore: The film received a "C" CinemaScore from opening-night audiences, indicating a generally poor reception from the public.
- Unfavorable Comparisons: Many viewers and critics inevitably compared the 2019 reboot to Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy films (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008). Del Toro's movies, starring Ron Perlman, were highly regarded for their unique visual style, strong character performances, and blend of fantasy, action, and humor. The 2019 reboot struggled to carve out its own identity or match the critical and fan adoration of its predecessors, leading to widespread disappointment.
In summary, the 2019 Hellboy reboot faltered due to a directorial vision that, according to its own director, was too beholden to its comic book origins for cinematic success, compounded by a negative critical reception and a general inability to win over audiences who often compared it unfavorably to the earlier, beloved film adaptations.