Hellboy Symbolism

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Pages: 7

“What is it that makes a man a man? Is it his origins, the way things start? Or is it something else, something harder to describe?” (Hellboy, 0:01.00) Hellboy is an intricate story of surpassing limitations, exploring self-awareness and finding self-fulfillment. The film manages to teach how breaking boundaries creates room for self-growth and emphasizes a need to define one’s own identity. This film also consists of a narrative which encourages the idea of staying true to one’s chosen self. Hellboy, himself, is an unlikely hero. Hellboy, the film, causes the viewers to ponder what truly defines a person. Hellboy promotes the stance that the origin of an individual does not determine their fate, rather valuable relationships and conscious …show more content…
The recurrence of religion is prominent in the film Hellboy. The film opens in and abandon church. The first religious image seen is a statue of Jesus on the cross. The camera is angled below the statue which displays its superiority as a significant symbol and also amplifies religion’s importance throughout the film. The prominence of religion in the film is also displayed through the ironic birth of someone named Hellboy in a church. This unexpected birth of Hellboy foreshadows his eventual destiny to practice goodwill and defy the odds. Understanding the significance of the church’s birth also underscores the church and God’s value of free will. This free will grants Hellboy a way of removing the curse of his prophecy and finding his own …show more content…
“You are the key, the right hand of doom.” ( ) At the climax of the film, Hellboy has finally reaches his lowest point. In addition to his father, Liz too has been taken away from Hellboy. He is alone in the world, what direction will he choose. While locked and bound in chains, Hellboy is faced with the decision to fall victim to his preordained nature or defy Grigori Rasputin’s wishes. Hellboy intially makes the decision to surrender to Rasputin’s wishes, under the terms that its “for her.” (Hellboy, 1:42.54) At this point, the symbol of the rosary and the undying right of free will makes it return. Rasputin takes the rosary from Hellboy, so that the chains can be removed to allow him to become the “key.” Reciting his name, the chains and a crown of fire appears on is head as his horns grow back. Once his rosary is then returned to Hellboy, the cross brands his hand. Hellboy is told by his father’s successor and the man he saved, John Myers, “You have a choice, your father gave you that.” (Hellboy, 1:46.20) Hellboy then breaks his horns, closing the portal, and he makes the conscious decision to reject the prophecy and follow is own