Hellboy (2019) is a superhero film adapted from Dark Horse Comics, directed by Neil Marshall and starring David Harbour and Milla Jovovich. The film is part of the Dark Horse and was released by Lionsgate. Audience rating: 5.2/10.
What is Hellboy (2019) about?
Hellboy is called to England to face Nimue the Blood Queen, a resurrected ancient sorceress who plans to rain apocalyptic destruction upon humanity.
Released in 2019, Hellboy was directed by Neil Marshall and produced under the Lionsgate banner. The film occupies a significant place within the Dark Horse — contributing to the ongoing narrative and mythology of that cinematic universe.
The film features lead performances from David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane, among others, anchoring a story that adapts characters first brought to life in Dark Horse Comics. Its source material gives the film a foundation rooted in decades of published storytelling, which Marshall and the creative team interpret through a cinematic lens.
The film's 5.2 audience rating indicates a mixed response. Even so, it holds interest as part of the broader Dark Horse catalogue and for how it fits into the lineage of Dark Horse Comics-based cinema.
What happens in Hellboy (2019)? — Full Plot
We open in 1944 Scotland — different from the 2004 original. The film's prologue establishes a different Hellboy origin: an ancient sorceress Nimue (Milla Jovovich) — the Blood Queen — was beheaded by King Arthur centuries ago. Her body parts were buried separately to prevent her resurrection.
Cut to: present day. Hellboy (David Harbour) — physically similar to the 2004 design but with darker tonal direction — is on a mission in Mexico, hunting his cousin Esteban, a luchador-wrestling vampire who has been killing humans.
Hellboy returns to the B.P.R.D. headquarters. He meets new team members: Major Ben Daimio (Daniel Dae Kim), a Special Forces operative; Alice Monaghan (Sasha Lane), a medium with empath powers; and various other B.P.R.D. agents.
Nimue's body parts are being reassembled by various dark-magic-using groups. The Blood Queen will return when all six parts are reunited.
Hellboy investigates Nimue's reassembly. He meets multiple new villains: a Russian witch in a wig who can turn into a pig, ancient giants from Celtic mythology, and various dark-fantasy creatures. The film's tonal register is far darker than the 2004 original.
Nimue is fully resurrected. She unleashes a plague upon London — transforming citizens into demonic creatures. Hellboy and his team must confront her at the destroyed Parliament building.
Hellboy defeats Nimue, accepting his demonic destiny in the process. His horn growth becomes more prominent. The film closes with Hellboy embracing his role as the eventual cosmic-demon king. The implicit setup is that Hellboy is becoming the very threat he was raised to oppose.
Hellboy (2019) grossed $43 million globally on a $50 million budget — a commercial failure. Critics widely panned the film, citing tonal incoherence and underdeveloped villains. The film effectively ended the franchise. David Harbour has not reprised the role.
Who stars in Hellboy (2019)?
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What are some facts about Hellboy (2019)?
Hellboy released in 2019, placing it within the 2010s era of comic book cinema — a decade that saw superhero films become the dominant force at the global box office.
Directed by Neil Marshall, the film was produced by Lionsgate and adapts source material from Dark Horse Comics.
The principal cast features David Harbour and Milla Jovovich, with key supporting roles played by Ian McShane, Sasha Lane.
The film belongs to Dark Horse — a distinct corner of comic book cinema.
Hellboy carries an audience rating of 5.2 — a mixed reception that highlights the divisive nature of superhero film adaptations.
The Dark Horse Comics source material for Hellboy has been in continuous publication for decades, giving filmmakers a rich well of storylines, character arcs, and iconography to draw upon.
Modern superhero films like this one use a mix of practical effects and digital VFX, with entire sequences often shot against volume walls or LED stages pioneered by shows like The Mandalorian.
Hellboy is catalogued on Movies on Comics among our collection of 162 comic book films spanning 48 years of cinema — from Richard Donner's 1978 Superman to the present day.
