"The Bondsman" (2025)– Hell Hath No Fury Like Kevin Bacon Resurrected

Resurrected bounty hunter, Hub Halloran, gets an unexpected second chance at life, love and his nearly forgotten musical career--only to find that his old job now has a demonic new twist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VUb4-6D-vc

So, let’s talk about “The Bondsman.” If you’re imagining a half-baked fusion of Preacher, Ash vs Evil Dead, and a hefty dose of True Detective, well, congratulations, you’ve cracked the code to this show, and I applaud you for not even breaking a sweat. But if you haven't heard of it yet, allow me to introduce you to Hub Halloran—your average resurrected bounty hunter who now works for the devil, with a side of country tunes and hellfire. And yeah, I know, it sounds like someone took a bottle of bourbon, mixed it with The Walking Dead and Ghost Rider, and then told Kevin Bacon to bring the chaos. Who knew that would work out so well?

Let's Dive Into the Plot... Or, Should I Say, The Hell of It?

Hub Halloran, played with his usual blend of grimy charm by the man himself, Kevin Bacon, is back from the dead (as if there was any surprise there). He's resurrected by none other than the Prince of Darkness himself who apparently runs the show now. Halloran’s got a gig as the devil’s own bounty hunter, tracking down wayward souls that need to be collected. What does this entail? Mostly a lot of kicking demonic butt, quips with the team, and let’s be real here, Kevin Bacon just being his badass self.

The premise is a no-brainer—kick-ass bounty hunter with a musical past, freshly resurrected into a world where hell and heaven are as intertwined as the world's worst family reunion. And Hub’s quest isn’t just about busting up evil spirits and bringing folks back into the fold—he’s also wrestling with his past, his memories of a life that was, frankly, mostly forgotten. Oh, and did I mention there’s a killer soundtrack that sells those hillbilly vibes like a bootleg whiskey bottle at a truck stop? If The Dukes of Hazzard had a demonic sequel, this would be it.

What Works (Aside From the Obvious Bacon)?

Now, let’s talk about what really shines here. For starters, if you’re a fan of Preacher or Ash vs Evil Dead, you’re going to find plenty to love in this show. The vibe is pure heaven and hell chaos, with demons acting like they just wandered out of a Mortal Kombat game, only to be knocked out by an old-school shotgun. But the heart of the show? The humor. Oh, the humor. Bacon’s knack for blending snarky one-liners with brutal action is unparalleled. It’s like someone said, “You know what we need? More Kevin Bacon kicking ass in a leather jacket, with just the right amount of absurdity to make you wonder if you’re still sober.”

And let’s not forget about the soundtrack. The country twang mixed with some pretty hard-hitting tracks adds layers to the show that make it feel like you’re watching a horror western with a hint of southern charm. If you’re the kind of person who loves that raw, authentic feeling of living on the edge of a dusty, forgotten town where every stop could be your last, then the music is a welcomed bonus.

But it’s not just about the gruesome humor and tunes. Let’s talk about the real MVP of the show: Beth Grant as the mom. This woman is a scene-stealer. Every time she’s on screen, the show goes from mildly interesting to must-watch. Seriously, she’s a tornado of fiery energy, delivering lines like she’s been saving them up for a decade. If you don’t think a demonic bounty hunter drama can be improved by an over-the-top matriarch, then you clearly haven’t been watching TV the way I have. And let’s be real—everyone loves a good mom character who isn’t afraid to call out her resurrected son.

What Doesn’t Work (And It's Not Just the Shaky Dialogue)

Okay, let’s hit the brakes for a second and discuss where “The Bondsman” falters. Because even in a show with all the charm of a caffeinated goat in a china shop, nothing is perfect. The first hiccup? The dialogue. It’s just a little too on-the-nose sometimes. Sure, I get it—this is a show that leans into the absurdity of its premise, but sometimes it feels like the characters are reading straight from a horror movie script. Some of the lines? Could’ve used a little more... nuance.

And then there’s the whole issue of how quickly everyone accepts Hub’s return from the dead and his gig as the devil’s own bounty hunter. Seriously, they’re just like, “Yeah, sure, this tracks. You were dead for, but now you’re back and working for Satan. No biggie.” You’d think there would be a little more disbelief, a few more awkward silences, but nope—everyone’s on board faster than you can say “contractual obligation.”

The subplots? Meh. They’re there, sure, but they feel a little forced at times. It’s like the show wanted to go deeper into Hub’s past or explore the impact of his return on the people around him, but instead, we get some filler that doesn’t add much to the overall arc. Still, I’m not sure I’m watching this for profound existential questions—I’m here for the demons, the blood, and Kevin Bacon doing his best action star impression while trying to navigate his second chance at life.

Oh, and the bad guys? Eh, they’re not exactly the hardest to take down. Most of the time, it’s like the Scooby-Doo ending—Hub and the gang just pull off the mask and, bam, it’s another demon defeated. I’m not saying I need a full-on Game of Thrones showdown, but it’d be nice if the villains were just a tad more challenging to beat. It would add a little more edge to the show, you know?

The Verdict: Is It Worth Watching?

Overall, “The Bondsman” isn’t going to win any awards for being deep or profound, but it certainly delivers on the fun factor. It’s like Ghost Rider had a love child with a Preacher and a Brimstone marathon, and somehow, it works. It’s got enough gore, humor, and Kevin Bacon for you to look past its occasional lack of depth. The dialogue is cheesy, the plot could use a little more oomph, and some of the subplots feel tacked on, but you know what? This show knows what it’s about, and it sticks to that vibe.

I’m giving The Bondsman a 6.7/10. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a hell of a ride while it lasts.