The Bondsman

Prime Video’s The Bondsman doesn’t waste time reinventing the wheel. Instead, it sharpens the old-school horror-action formula to a deadly edge: introduce a terrifying new demon, let it gruesomely take out some poor soul, roll the title card, and then watch as our grizzled hero hunts it down. It’s the kind of 90s-style episodic horror fun that Evil Dead and Buffy the Vampire Slayer thrived on—simple, effective, and wildly entertaining.

Don’t be fooled by the humor, though. This show knows when to crank up the fear factor. There are jump scares, but they’re well-placed, never cheap, and always balanced out with just the right amount of comedy.

Kevin Bacon steps in as the demon-hunting, chainsaw-wielding bounty hunter like he never left the action-horror scene. He’s witty, brutal, and effortlessly cool, reminding everyone he’s still got the chops (and the chainsaw skills) to carry a show like this. Whether he’s cracking a joke or splitting a demon in half, Bacon makes it look easy.

But the real MVP? Beth Grant. She’s the heart and soul of the show, bringing that warm, no-nonsense Southern charm while proving she’s not just here for emotional support—she gets her hands dirty, saves the day a couple of times, and never once feels like a burden. She’s the kind of character you wish more horror shows had: tough, loving, and absolutely capable of handling herself.

From the get-go, The Bondsman wears its influences proudly. The return of the chainsaw as a primary weapon is a clear homage to Evil Dead, and the practical effects mixed with CGI give the demons a grotesque, nightmarish quality. The cinematography leans into classic horror aesthetics—moody lighting, dynamic camera angles, and that perfect mix of tension-building silence followed by chaos.

The soundtrack tries to weave in some emotional depth through music, but that particular thread doesn’t quite land. By the time it attempts to pull at our heartstrings, we’re already too deep into the demon-slaying madness to really care.

At its core, The Bondsman thrives on its straightforward, no-nonsense structure. Every episode delivers its monster-of-the-week thrills while pushing the overarching story forward. What makes it stand out is how it gradually escalates from a simple demon-hunting gig to a full-blown biblical nightmare. And while I can’t vouch for its theological accuracy, I can confirm it gets wild.

Things take a dark and twisted turn when the Big Bad reveals itself—this isn’t just another snarling creature, but something far more sinister. With the power to make men take their own lives in horrifying fashion, the stakes become disturbingly high. It’s grim, it’s messy, and it’s exactly the kind of unsettling horror that keeps you glued to the screen.

But then the show pulls another trick—it becomes a family affair. Suddenly, the laughs, the gore, and the chaos hit overdrive as personal stakes get thrown into the mix. It’s a bold move, but it works.

The looming mystery of Hobbs’ dark secret is another win for the show. Teased throughout the season, it ties beautifully into the finale, giving the ending the weight it needed. Speaking of the finale, The Bondsman wraps up with a decent cliffhanger—not a desperate, “please renew us” kind of ending, but one that leaves the door open just enough.

Do I want another season? Sure, I’d watch it. But do I need one? Not really. This formula works, but it has a shelf life. There’s only so much ground you can cover before it starts feeling repetitive.

Prime Video took a risk with The Bondsman, and I respect that. It’s not perfect, but it’s fun, gory, and packed with enough charm to make it stand out. Horror TV could use more bold, creative swings like this. Whether or not we get another season, I appreciate the effort to bring back this kind of horror-action hybrid. Now, who do I talk to about getting Kevin Bacon a chainsaw in every project?