In the final days of World War II, the Nazis attempt to use black magic to aid their dying cause. The Allies raid the camp where the ceremony is taking place, but not before they summon a baby demon who is rescued by Allied forces and dubbed "Hellboy". Sixty years later, Hellboy serves the cause of good rather than evil as an agent in the Bureau of Paranormal Research & Defense, along with Abe Sapien - a merman with psychic powers, and Liz Sherman - a woman with pyrokinesis, protecting America against dark forces.
Practical Effects
Hellboy's suit is 100% foam rubber—no CGI, just sweaty Perlman dedication.
Direction
Del Toro's love letter to monsters who are more human than humans.
Acting
Ron Perlman born to play this—gravel voice, dry wit, tragic heart.
Director
Guillermo del Toro
Ron Perlman
Hellboy
Selma Blair
Elizabeth 'Liz' Sherman
Doug Jones
Abraham 'Abe' Sapien
John Hurt
Prof. Trevor 'Broom' Bruttenholm
Rupert Evans
John Myers
Jeffrey Tambor
Tom Manning
Ladislav Beran
Karl Ruprecht Kroenen
Bridget Hodson
Ilsa Haupstein
Karel Roden
Grigori Rasputin
Brian Steele
Sammael
Corey Johnson
Agent Clay
Kevin Trainor
Young 'Broom'
Brian Caspe
Agent Lime
James Babson
Agent Moss
Stephen Fisher
Agent Quarry
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Del Toro turned down Blade II and Harry Potter to make this—his passion project since 1997.
The 'cans and can'ts' scene between Hellboy and Myers in the hallway was improvised by Perlman.
US
