Hellboy (2004) is a supernatural action-fantasy film directed by Guillermo del Toro, based on the Dark Horse Comics character created by Mike Mignola. Combining dark humor, imaginative creature design, and a unique anti-hero, Hellboy brought a fresh perspective to the superhero genre and established a cult following thanks to del Toro’s creative vision and Ron Perlman’s iconic portrayal of the titular character.

The story follows Hellboy (Ron Perlman), a demon summoned to Earth by Nazi occultists during World War II but rescued by Professor Trevor Bruttenholm (John Hurt), who raises him as his son. Now working for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (BPRD), Hellboy uses his superhuman strength, indestructible right hand (known as the Right Hand of Doom), and signature oversized revolver to protect humanity from supernatural threats. Alongside him are fellow BPRD agents like Abe Sapien (Doug Jones), an aquatic empathic creature, and Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), a pyrokinetic who has an on-and-off romantic connection with Hellboy.

The plot centers on Hellboy’s struggle to confront his own origins as he faces a resurrected Grigori Rasputin (Karel Roden), who intends to use Hellboy to bring about the apocalypse. The film’s strength lies in its blend of high-stakes action with Hellboy’s inner conflict between his demonic destiny and his human upbringing. He’s a rough-around-the-edges hero with a soft spot for kittens, making him a deeply relatable, even lovable, character despite his imposing appearance.

Visually, Hellboy is stunning, filled with del Toro’s trademark gothic and dark fantasy aesthetics. The creature designs and practical effects are meticulously detailed, especially with characters like Abe and the iconic, eerie tentacled monsters. The film’s action sequences are thrilling, while its humorous, self-aware tone keeps it from becoming overly dark, allowing Perlman’s Hellboy to deliver sharp one-liners and defy the typical brooding anti-hero archetype.

Hellboy received praise for its originality, Perlman’s charismatic performance, and del Toro’s masterful blend of horror and fantasy elements. While not a box office blockbuster at its release, Hellboy became a beloved cult classic, leading to the sequel Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) and a later reboot in 2019. Del Toro’s Hellboy remains a standout in the superhero genre for its inventive storytelling and the unique, memorable portrayal of its unconventional hero.