Netflix's new ten-episode series, The Hawk, starring Will Ferrell, has drawn a critical response that finds the show largely missing the mark. Debuting on July 16, the series sees Ferrell as Lonnie "The Hawk" Hawkins, a golfer attempting a comeback.
Reviewers note that while Ferrell's performance features elements of his signature man-child persona and unearned confidence, the character of Lonnie feels underdeveloped and increasingly irritating. The show attempts to leverage Ferrell's comedic history, but the execution often falls short, with scenes feeling reminiscent of stronger past performances rather than landing as fresh or funny in their own right. One early scene involving a golf game set to "The Thong Song" is cited as an example of the series' inability to translate a potentially humorous premise into actual laughs.
The Hawk boasts a cast and writing team filled with seasoned comedy talent, including SNL alums Molly Shannon and Chris Parnell, and Old School co-star Luke Wilson. The series was co-created by Ferrell alongside Harper Steele and Chris Henchy, both veterans of Saturday Night Live. Despite this assembly of proven comedic minds, the consensus is that the series ultimately feels flat.
Speculation for the show's shortcomings points to potential shifts in its development. The Hawk was initially conceived as a collaboration between Ferrell, Ramy Youssef, and Josh Rabinowitz, with Youssef slated to star. The departure of Youssef and Rabinowitz over "creative differences" may have, according to one review, stripped the series of its original inspiration, leaving behind a hollow product. The "Netflix curse," a perceived tendency for established stars to produce mediocre or subpar content for the streaming service, is also mentioned as a possible contributing factor.
The central narrative arc, focusing on Lonnie's strained relationship with his pro golfer son Lance, played by Jimmy Tatro, has also been criticized. The dynamic between father and son, including their inevitable on-course confrontations, is described as neither amusing nor engaging enough to sustain viewer interest. Tatro, known for his wit in other projects, is largely relegated to a reactive role, playing exasperation in response to Ferrell's character.
Supporting characters, such as Molly Shannon as Lonnie's estranged wife and Fortune Feimster as his caddy, struggle to find comedic footing with underwritten material. Patty Guggenheim, who previously impressed as Madisynn in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, is noted for making a positive impression in a smaller role as a love interest, injecting some much-needed wry humor.