Imagine this scenario: In the midst of the Second World War, a Catholic researcher of the paranormal is called to work against a once-thought dead Russian mystic, who is looking to help the Nazis literally create hell on earth. Instead of the villains meeting their goal, however, the said researcher is faced with a new dilemma-an infant demon has come through the gate that the mystic has created. What, then, should be done with such a child?
In the case of “Hellboy,” the answer is simple for Professor Broom-adopt the infant as his own and raise him like any other child. Because of this, the old debate of nature vs. nurture reaches a new scale, as well as new circumstances. For someone with deep religious beliefs, the idea that a Demon could somehow grow up to fit in with human society made me a little edgy at first.
What sort of questions could and would arise with such a creature, especially since this image has been associated with pure evil for thousands of years? Could that creature somehow be different if it were raised in the hands of a normal person? For the main character, the answer turns out to be “yes.”
Not only does Hellboy ironically aid in the battle against evil, but he’s an interesting character who loves cats, candy bars, and regularly worries the Professor by running away to see Liz Sherman, a woman who has an unwanted power of starting fires through mental distress periods. Not only do these two characters seem to be an unlikely pair, but they also appear to be unlikely heroes. What person among society would go to a demon for help, or feel safe around a woman that dangerous?
It is a non-conventional idea, but at the same time, it works. Hellboy is tempted to live up to his ‘original purpose,’ but like everything, it is the choices he makes that decides his future, rather than how he was born. And with Liz, she chooses to put her power under control so that no one is accidentally harmed, rather than choosing to never control it and cause destruction wherever she goes.
The idea of placing these two together may also be disturbing at first, but it’s what’s inside a person that makes them who they are, instead of what is on the outside. Not only that, but with this film, the usual thought of confusing it with something evil is blown away after the first half-hour. With it, the face of heroism changes forever, proving once and for all that the right sort of nurturing can overcome even the most destructive of natures.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025