REVIEW: ‘Helluva Boss’ Season 1 Is Full Of Violence, Chaos, And Heart

Helluva Boss Season 1 originally debuted in 2020 on YouTube as a spinoff of Hazbin Hotel. The series rapidly became a hit and has become well-renowned in the indie animated series scene. Now, Helluva Boss Season 1 and Season 2 are joining Hazbin Hotel on Prime Video following its sibling series’ success on the platform.

Vivienne Medrano, also known as VivziePop online, is the show’s creator, director, and writer, along with Brandon Rogers as co-writer. The Helluva Boss cast includes Brandon Rogers as Blitzo, Richard Horvitz (Invader Zim) as Moxxie, Vivian Nixon as Millie, Erica Lindbeck as Loona, and Bryce Pinkham as Stolas.

Helluva Boss takes place in Hell but centers on a different cast and story than Hazbin Hotel. The series follows the Immediate Murder Professionals (I.M.P.), a start-up assassination company that travels to Earth to fulfill assassination requests from Hell’s residents.

Helluva Boss Season 1 wastes no time establishing its graphic and adult tone.

The freelance hit-man operation is run by Blitzo and his crew, consisting of the lovebirds Moxxie and Millie, and Blitzo’s cynical adopted hellhound daughter, Loona. The demon Prince Stolas provides access to the human realm to help I.M.P. remain operational in exchange for Blitzo’s more personal and physical services.

The animation in Helluva Boss Season 1 is vibrant and stylish, mixing dark and bright colors in each episode. Some of the earlier episodes show rougher edges as the show was just starting and finding its footing and rhythm. However, the animation gradually gets more polished with every episode.

Helluva Boss Season 1 does not waste time establishing its graphic and unapologetically adult tone and identity. The show’s comedic style is bizarre and vulgar in the best of ways. Although some scenes involving violence may be a bit too gratuitously graphic for younger audiences, they are still well-balanced with humor and levity. In short, this show is not for viewers who are faint of heart or who gasp at foul language.

Helluva Boss is meant to be a dark, chaotic, comedic, and over-the-top adult animated series. That is part of the show’s charm and appeal. However, for all its gore and chaotic energy, the show delivers a very heartfelt story with beautifully flawed and relatable characters.

Helluva Boss Season 1 makes the most of its short episodes.

Much of Helluva Boss Season 1 revolves around each of the primary characters and their individual issues, as well as the group dynamics. For example, Blitzo is I.M.P.’s fearless but dysfunctional leader. His wild antics are hysterical and sometimes a little destructive to himself and those close to him.

As the show goes on, it is clear there is more to Blitzo than meets the eye. Meanwhile, characters like Moxxie and Millie are the show’s slightly more stable, wholesome couple, but they, too, are not without their own faults and challenges.

The show’s pacing is done well, given its limited episode run and timeframe. Each episode varies between 13 and 20 minutes, with the earlier episodes being on the shorter side. Even in short spurts, the show conveys a captivating story and makes the most out of the time they have.

The show’s dark humor is balanced by genuine emotion.

Helluva Boss’s ability to balance dark comedy and graphic violence alongside complex characters and emotional vulnerability makes Helluva Boss Season 1 an excellent must-watch adult animated series. Not to mention the show’s stellar voice cast truly elevates the characters and the story, to really sell the comedic and heartfelt moments alike.

Another character that stands out in Helluva Boss Season 1 is Stolas. The demon prince’s relationship with Blitzo is one of the more complex and emotional storylines of the first season. However, Blitzo and Stolas’ relationship starts off as comic relief. As the season goes on, the show gradually reveals the characters’ layers of insecurities, heartache, and a desire to be loved.

The season also does an excellent job balancing its over-the-top comedy with emotionally heart-wrenching storytelling. From the first episode to the show’s finale, Helluva Boss lays the groundwork for its characters and their unique arcs to be explored more.

Helluva Boss doesn’t solely rely on violence and gags, it feels surprisingly human and relatable.

For example, early episodes, like “Murder Family” and “C.H.E.R.U.B.,” start as a simple assassination job but quickly spiral into darkly comedic chaos with a mix of violence. Later episodes, such as “Truth Seekers,” still feature over-the-top action and dark humor. Still, it goes even deeper into the characters’ insecurities and layers to expose the more vulnerable sides of Blitzo, Moxxie, Stolas, and others.

Helluva Boss doesn’t solely rely on violence and gags; the show layers its dark and raunchy humor with genuine emotional beats, making its outrageous characters feel surprisingly human and relatable.
This aspect of the show is best explored through Blitzo’s character arc.

Underneath Blitzo’s erratic and sometimes selfish behavior is a character desperate for love and connection, which helps humanize him. Supporting characters like Loon and Moxxie also get their time to shine and develop. For example, Loona gets out of her shell and grows a stronger father-daughter relationship with Blitzo. Meanwhile, Moxxie learns to become more assertive and confident in himself.

Helluva Boss Season 1 exceeds expectations as a graphic, adult animated series.

One of the season’s standout episodes is “Ozzie’s,” which combines raunchy humor with a musical spectacle and sharp social commentary on love and relationship dynamics. The episode examines the toxic aspects of Blitzo and Stolas’s casual arrangement, as well as the relationship dynamics of other characters.

The episode poignantly touches on the toxic and one-sided nature of Blitzo and Stolas’ relationship. Stolas’s feelings. are unrequited, and Blitzo’s insecurities with love and relationships come from his fear of abandonment.

All of this is done while also incorporating some sweet and absurd musical numbers about love and lust. Episodes like “Ozzie’s” highlight what Helluva Boss does best. The show turns what could be offhand adult animation into something that resonates emotionally with its audience, while still making you laugh at its sheer audacity.

Helluva Boss Season 1 exceeds expectations as a graphic, adult animated series. The show’s creative team can balance and deliver dark humor, heartfelt moments, and a compelling story. Helluva Boss Season 1’s greatest strength is its characters and laying the groundwork for development and exploration in the coming seasons.

Ultimately, this show sets itself up to be more than just a chaotic spin-off series. Helluva Boss Season 1 is an unapologetically adult exploration of complex characters navigating all of life’s messy challenges. 

Helluva Boss Season 1 is streaming now on  Prime Video.