Updated
Updated · Vulture · Jul 16
Netflix's 10-Episode The Hawk Draws Fresh Criticism for Will Ferrell's Lead Performance
Updated
Updated · Vulture · Jul 16

Netflix's 10-Episode The Hawk Draws Fresh Criticism for Will Ferrell's Lead Performance

3 articles · Updated · Vulture · Jul 16

Summary

  • A new review calls Netflix’s 10-episode golf comedy “The Hawk” an “unbearable slog,” arguing Will Ferrell’s Lonnie Hawkins is the show’s central failure rather than its saving grace.
  • Ferrell’s washed-up golfer is criticized for staying obnoxious even after his caddie dies in the premiere, leaving the series with familiar redemption beats but little real character change.
  • The review says Hawkins recycles Ferrell’s old man-child persona—juvenile jokes, broad physical gags and cartoon quirks—without the humanity that made earlier roles like Ron Burgundy or Ricky Bobby work.
  • Supporting players including Molly Shannon, Luke Wilson and Chris Parnell provide some of the show’s better moments, but the series is faulted for treating Hawkins as a hero instead of fully embracing darker satire.
  • The latest critique deepens a same-day run of negative notices that have described “The Hawk,” now streaming in full on Netflix, as dated, unfunny and lacking narrative momentum.

Insights

As Will Ferrell’s big-budget series flops, what does it signal about Netflix's entire comedy investment strategy?
With critics calling it a relic, can Will Ferrell’s 2000s humor find a new audience in the TikTok era?
Is this critically-panned series proof the unapologetic, obnoxious male protagonist is no longer funny?