Prime Video’s The Bondsman feels like Preacher meets R.I.P.D. It is a ton of fun, never taking itself too seriously, and a true joy to watch.
When I first read the description for The Bondsman I thought to myself, this is either going to be a ton of fun or a total disaster. Thankfully it is the former. This series works as well as it does because it knows exactly what it is – an off-the-wall series about a brought back from the dead bondsman who is cooerced into working for the devil tracking down demons.
The first episode kicks off with the murder of bounty hunter Hub Halloran (Kevin Bacon). He is promptly brought back from the dead with the caveat that he must now hunt down demons who have escaped from Hell for the devil. Clearly he is perfect for the job because he has experience finding criminals who have skipped their bonds.
Bacon is the perfect casting choice for Hub, but he is surrounded by an ensemble cast that takes this show to the next level.
Hub’s personal life constantly bleeds into his work life, which is where a lot of the fun stems from. His ex-wife (Jennifer Nettles) has found herself a new man (Damon Herriman) who has quite the seedy past, to put it lightly. Their son (Maxwell Jenkins) wants to be a singer, something that Hub does not think he is ready for.
As someone from Boston, I find it hilarious at how often Lucky (Herriman) is dragged for being a Red Sox fan. Been there, done that – but he really pulls it off brilliantly. This series makes it very hard to like his character, but that Boston charm will always shine through so there were a handful of times I was right there with him.
Honestly though, Herriman is one of the best parts of The Bondsman – which says a lot because I love almost everything about it.
The first episode of season 1 throws the audience right into the thick of it with Hub. While we know a lot more about what is going on than he does based on the premise of the series, it is still a ton of fun to watch him discover it for himself.
While the demons can be scary, there is more humor in the series than anticipated. Again, it never takes itself seriously, which is why it works as well as it does. Each episode features another demon that Hub must track down – some of which are scarier than others.
That said, there is a connective tissue between the episodes, making them not fully stand alone. You will know what I mean when you watch, but for now I will remain vague in an effort not to spoil anything.
Beth Grant plays Kitty, Hub’s mother. She may be getting older but that does not stop her from getting her hands dirty. She is committed to being there for her son, through it all, which is something I not only love about her, I can relate to.
As a mom of two girls, I promise you I will always back them up, even when they are wrong. But I also will never be afraid to let them know when they have messed up. She is a great addition to the incredible ensemble cast.
The Bondsman season one takes viewers on a wild journey. While it has its jump scare moments, it never crosses the line into taking itself too seriously. There is quite a bit of gore, but it is often followed up by funny lines or comedic moments so that the audience never sits in that place for too long. The ensemble cast is fantastic, each bringing an important element to the table.
The story comes to enough of an ending to feel like a good stopping point that makes sense for a first season, but leaves the door open for so much more. I had a blast with this series and I would love to see more and more seasons keep coming, until there is no more story to tell.
When I say The Bondsman is out there, I mean it. But it is written and acted so brillaintly that it reminds me of Preacher in a fun and twisted way. The supernatural new series from Blumhouse Television, The Bondsman, will premiere all 8 episodes exclusively on Prime Video April 3, 2025.
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About The Bondsman
Murdered bounty hunter Hub Halloran (Kevin Bacon) is resurrected by the Devil to trap and send back demons that have escaped from the prison of Hell. By chasing down those demons with the help and hinderance of his estranged family, Hub learns how his own sins got his soul condemned — which pushes him to seek a second chance at life, love, and country music.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.