How would you feel if you knew the exact time of your death? We all know that’s not possible. But for Netflix’s series ‘Hellbound’, everyone is aware of their final time. Taking horror to another level, Netflix offers one of the darkest but most satisfying web series of 2021.
Directed by the ‘Train to Busan’ director Yeon Sang-ho, who specialises in making zombie films, ‘Hellbound’ is a live-action adaptation of a webtoon that became a talking point on social media soon after its release. The six-part series promises a dark adventure about people coming to terms with their sins as they receive death prophecies from unusual creatures. Yeon focuses more on the reactions of the humans after knowing about their final time rather than the three CGI black giant beasts that beat the life out of these people.
Set in the years 2030 to 2027, the series opens with a guy sitting at a cafe looking at the clock on his phone. Just when the clock hits 1:20 pm, there is a loud noise of the three CGI beasts smashing the windows of the cafe. They beat the man and then burn him to ashes. The opening might be disturbing for many but it sets the tone for the entire series hinting that there is violence and bloodshed and the viewers may only continue to watch the entire season if they can handle it.
Hell breaks loose after the man’s death and detective Jin Kyeong-hoon (Yang Ik-june) is called to investigate the matter with his fellow detective Hong Eun-pyo (Park Jung-pyo). Since the New Truth Society, a cult that attacks sinners, is spreading the word about the incidents, the detectives question their leader Jeong Jin-soo (Yoo Ah-in). Jeong explains how he gets prophecies and how a person receives them. The person first sees a ghostly creature that tells them about their final time on earth and entry in Hell and when the time finally arrives, the trio beasts come to life. For the New Truth Society, you are a sinner anyway no matter how big or small the sin is.
Enters Min Hye-jin (Kim Hyun-joo) who is an attorney investigating the victims of the New Truth Society. In order to understand the sudden shift of the world towards darkness, Hye-jin goes deeper into the case, finding a connection between the New Truth Society and another cult called The Arrowheads who broadcasts everything. Talking about God’s wrath on the sinners, the group shows a video of students beating their sociology professor Gong Hyeong-joon (Im Hyeong-guk) for not believing in God.
While anyone can be a member of the New Truth Society, The Arrowheads are usually teenagers with baseball bats that choose their predators after playing a game of chairs where everyone’s fate is destined. Though Hye-jin is content that this is just the beginning of violence, the series takes an ugly turn when she too receives a prophecy.
Yoo Ah-in as Jeong is the highlight of the entire series as he plays the role with such ease that people are drawn towards him and the cause he is supporting. He takes control of every moment with calmness and his presence is enough to make the viewers feel his wrath.
Written by Choi Kyu-sok, ‘Hellbound’ is a horror thriller that grows with each episode. While the first half comes to terms with the roots of the New World, the second half is more about the consequences. With clever writing and mindful direction, the series goes through several twists and turns making it a delightful watch for the viewers.
Yeon Sang-ho promises for a much more violent and dark season two if Netflix agrees to take it. Binge watch the first season before the second season is out. 
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