The Hawk is every bit as funny as you would expect it to be with a cast full of comedic geniuses like this. I am already eager for a season two.
It didn’t take long for me to completely fall in love with The Hawk. Netflix’s new sports comedy follows Lonnie Hawkins (Will Ferrell), 2004’s number-one golfer, as he struggles to prove that he is not all washed up. Season one is absolutely hilarious. It is fun, silly, and genuinely entertaining all the way through. They even throw in a few emotional moments just to make sure we are paying attention.
Honestly, of course this show is good, just take one look at this insane cast list. And everyone involved is at the top of their game, making it an absolute blast to watch from start to finish.
I love Will Ferrell, but we haven’t seen him commit to many long-form television series. So when I first heard about The Hawk, I was thrilled. I am not a big golf fan, but I will gladly take getting to see him commit to a character over multiple episodes. Seeing him get to spend so much time in a role, really giving a full arc to a character, complete with ups and downs, over the course of a series rather than just a film, excited me.
I truly think Lonnie Hawkins is going to become a fan favorite among Will Ferrell’s legendary roster of characters. Sure, he is a bit of a jerk, especially at first, but there is something incredibly lovable about him underneath the arrogance. A lot of that surely comes down to Will’s natural, undeniable charm.
The supporting cast is all incredible as well, truly elevating the series from funny to comedy gold. I didn’t know I desperately needed a buddy comedy starring Will Ferrell and Fortune Feimster, but here we are. The two of them play off each other so perfectly.
There were moments where I was cracking up so hard I was convinced they threw out the script and just started playing around. Their chemistry feels completely organic and delightfully unhinged. Without spoilers, it takes a sharp turn that I never expected, but am so thankful to the writers for.
Luke Wilson, who is always great, is the perfect choice to play Lonnie’s main foe, Golden Fisk. They have a history, and the tension is well played on both sides. Whenever they share the screen, I found myself totally mesmerized. Chris Parnell plays another antagonist in Lonnie’s orbit, and honestly, he had me laughing every time he was a part of the plot – but especially in that final episode.
Jimmy Tatro plays Lonnie’s son and golf’s newest hotshot, Lance. What a perfect casting choice! Jimmy Tatro is incredibly funny, and his dynamic with Will Ferrell is absolute comedy gold. The friction between father and son is only upstaged by the emotion behind it all. Molly Shannon plays Lonnie’s estraged wife and Lance’s mother, and predictably, she crushes it.
What surprised me most about The Hawk is its emotional depth. The cast knows exactly when to lay on the hard-hitting emotions. I won’t lie – a couple of family moments between Lonnie and Lance actually made me tear up. I didn’t full-on sob, but I definitely got misty-eyed.
Naturally, it’s hard not to compare this show to Apple TV+’s Stick, which Luke Wilson’s brother, Owen Wilson, leads. On paper, they sound pretty similar since both are about aging golfers who have seen better days and just want to be respected again. But when you boil it all down, the two series are quite different.
The Hawk is much more willing to go completely off the deep end, delivering a fun, witty, and surreal ride. Even though the season one finale wraps things up well enough that it could serve as a complete story, I am begging Netflix for a second season. The Hawk is a hole-in-one, and I need more of Lonnie Hawkins sooner rather than later.
About The Hawk
Lonnie Hawkins, (Will Ferrell) 2004’s number one golfer, struggles on the back nine of his career to recapture his magic. His body says retire, but his heart says he’s not done yet. His ex-wife and his son Lance, golf’s new golden boy, know he’s through. But with one more major to win to complete golf’s Grand Slam, Lonnie refuses to believe he’s anything other than one stroke away from the greatest comeback in golf history.
The Hawk Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix.
