Kevin Bacon has played many roles throughout his long career. His newest project, The Bondsman, introduces us to his completely new type of role, which mixes horror, dark humor, and supernatural elements. This Prime Video series was created by Grainger David and produced by Blumhouse Television. The series feels like a fresh twist on the bounty hunter and supernatural genres. We have demons, the undead creatures, and a funny-gothic aesthetic that gives this story the required vibe.
[Warning: Light spoilers from The Bondsman are below!]
The Bondsman: the story
From the very first episode, the show immediately pulled me into this world that feels very familiar. Initially, I had a feeling like I was watching Supernatural, Ghost Rider, R.I.P.D., Preacher, or other good projects with that vibe. The story is set in the town of Landry, where there are dusty roads, neon-lit bars, and deep-rooted local drama, just like in any small-sized American town. But underneath that ordinary façade, there’s something evil lurking.
Hub Halloran (Kevin Bacon) is a man who has already lived his not-so-ordinary life before the series even begins. Once, he was a promising country musician, someone who had a shot at something great, but bad choices he made along the way, and even worse luck, caused him to think about himself as a nobody. His next chapter in life was becoming a bounty hunter until he was killed. What comes next is him becoming a bounty hunter, but this time for heaven/hell. It’s not the most rewarding, safe, and ethical line of work, but it’s the one that suits a man like Hub. He’s lonely, sad, and depressed, so this kind of job is something fresh and interesting enough to make him feel alive. He gets the job done.
That all changes when his routine job takes an unexpected turn, and Hub finds himself staring down death in the most brutal way possible. One minute, he’s alive. The next, he’s not. But his story doesn’t end there. Instead of heading toward whatever afterlife might be waiting for him, Hub is brought back into the world by an organization called Pot O’Gold, an evil corporation that isn’t exactly Heaven or Hell but seems to have its influence in both. He’s told he has a new purpose now and that his new job is something that only someone like him can do.
His new gig is unlike anything he’s ever done before. Even though he’s “alive” and can talk with his friends and family, he’s a bounty hunter who is going after things that shouldn’t exist in the world of the living. Demons, rogue souls, ghosts, and creatures that slipped through the cracks of Hell and are wreaking havoc in ways most people can’t even comprehend. His job is to track them down, capture or kill them, and send them back where they belong. And if he does it well enough, he might earn something in return. A second chance, a clean slate, or at least a little peace. Or so they tell him. You know how it is with those big, evil corporations; they tell you only what YOU want to hear.
It doesn’t take long for Hub to realize that things are more complicated than they seem. For one thing, Landry isn’t just some random town. As it happens, it’s a place filled with fragments of his old life, including the ex-wife he never really got over and the man who played a part in his death. His past, present, and future are connected in ways he can’t escape. Every demon he hunts seems to bring him one step closer to the truth, but even then, he isn’t sure he wants to uncover it and find what’s real and what’s not.
Kevin Bacon’s role as Hub Halloran
Kevin Bacon was the perfect choice to play Hub Halloran. He plays him with a careful mix of humor, cynicism, and just enough vulnerability to make you root for him and make his character feel real. Even when he’s at his most reckless and lowest, you still want him to succeed. Hub is a man who’s lost everything, and now he’s been given at least some part of it back. But he never asked for that. He approaches his new situation with a resigned sort of acceptance, like it’s his duty, even though he doesn’t want it. His attitude is of a man who thinks that if he’s already dead, what’s the worst that can happen? Or he asks himself questions like, “Why won’t someone let me live? Why won’t someone let me die?”.
Underneath that sad and broken shell, there’s something deeper. Hub doesn’t want to care or to show it, but he does. He cares about the people he left behind, the ones he’s trying to save, even when they don’t deserve saving, and about the idea that maybe he can still make something of the mess that was his life, even if it’s after death. Kevin Bacon brings all of that complexity and sadness into this broken, sad, and emotional role.
This show also gives him a unique challenge with his music and singing. As part of his backstory, Hub was once a musician, and that means Bacon has to sing in several episodes. It’s an interesting touch, one that adds more layers to the character’s past and helps to show that he still regrets what he lost.
The supporting cast and their meaningful roles in Hub’s life
The world of The Bondsman wouldn’t work without the people surrounding Hub, each one adding another meaningful layer to his story. Maryanne (Jennifer Nettles) is more than just Hub’s ex-wife, she’s a living reminder of everything Hub lost. Once, they were a duo in every sense of the word, making music together and even dreaming of a future that could have been good. But things fell apart, and now Maryanne is trying to move on. But it gets weird because having your dead ex-husband suddenly show up again, especially when he’s not exactly alive, well… let’s say it has a way of complicating things. Their relationship is unique, but the chemistry between them is there, and every scene they share shows the tension, unspoken regrets, and the kind of love that never really goes away, even when it should.
Then, another supporting character in the show is Cade Halloran (Maxwell Jenkins), who is Hub’s son. Their relationship is complicated, but it’s very well written, especially when it comes to the moments in which they try to bond. Another wonderful supporting character is Midge (Jolene Purdy), a.k.a. the broker between Hub and Pot O’ Gold. She’s not entirely evil, but she isn’t exactly trustworthy either. Her job is to keep Hub on task, to make sure he does what he’s supposed to, and to remind him, whenever necessary, that his choices are limited.
Final thought on Prime Video’s The Bondsman
What makes The Bondsman work isn’t just its supernatural premise or its horror-funky elements, but the way it mixes all of its different parts, adapting vibes from other projects and using them in its way. It’s dark, but it’s also funny. It’s scary, but it’s also really emotional and heart-warming. Kevin Bacon gives a fantastic performance that is both badass and deeply human, making it impossible to look away. He nailed this role, and I want to see more of him in projects like this.
For people who like supernatural thrillers that don’t take themselves too seriously but still give you plenty of emotion and a well-written story, The Bondsman is a must-watch. It’s weird, it’s wild, and it’s exactly the kind of show that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
Have you watched this new series on Prime Video yet? Let us know on social media what you think of it @mycosmiccircus!
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