Will Ferrell is officially back in the sports world, trading in his race car and ice skates for a brand-new set of golf clubs. On July 16, Netflix dropped The Hawk, a comedy series marking Ferrell’s very first starring role in a scripted television show. The anticipation leading up to the release was huge. Fans have eagerly waited for him to return to the sports comedy genre that made him an absolute legend in the 2000s. However, now that the ten-episode series is out in the wild, the critical reception is turning out to be pretty divided. It seems the show is splitting audiences right down the middle.
Chasing Redemption One Terrible Putt at a Time
Co-created by Ferrell alongside Harper Steele and Chris Henchy, the show introduces us to Lonnie Hawkins, widely known by fans as “The Hawk.” Lonnie is a flamboyant, washed-up former world number one golfer who completely derailed his career after missing an unbelievably easy putt two decades ago. Now, he is incredibly desperate for a major comeback. We watch as he tries to grind his way up from a lower-tier developmental tour, hoping to eventually win the U.S. Open and secure a highly coveted Career Grand Slam.
The storyline naturally blends his absurd physical antics with a lot of intense family drama. Lonnie has to face off against his overly ambitious, estranged ex-wife, Stacy, played brilliantly by his former Saturday Night Live castmate Molly Shannon. To make matters even more complicated, his son Lance, played by Jimmy Tatro, has already eclipsed his father’s legacy to become a massive rising star on the PGA Tour.
Laughs, Sand Traps, and a Stretched-Out Season
For fans who absolutely loved movies like Talladega Nights, this series definitely offers a lot of comfort. You get to see Ferrell doing what he does best: playing a loud, arrogant, and wonderfully inappropriate character. The chemistry between him and Shannon is fantastic, providing some of the funniest and most chaotic moments of the entire show. Plus, the supporting cast is genuinely great, featuring Fortune Feimster as a clueless caddie, Chris Parnell as an uptight golf board member, and Luke Wilson as a slick rival.
Despite these highlights, a lot of critics feel the show struggles to stay out of the sand trap. The biggest complaint is that the comedy leans a bit too hard on recycled jokes. It often feels like we are watching older Ferrell characters wearing golf clothes instead of something entirely fresh. Plus, when you stretch this kind of goofy premise out over ten full episodes, it creates some noticeable pacing issues. What usually works perfectly in a ninety-minute movie starts to drag when it is stretched into a television format. Reviewers point out that the tone bounces awkwardly between silly slapstick and sincere emotional drama.
Should You Hit Play or Take a Mulligan?
At the end of the day, The Hawk is a fun, nostalgic swing from one of our most beloved comedy heavyweights. It might not quite capture the pure, lightning-in-a-bottle magic of his classic sports movies, but it still delivers plenty of loud, ridiculous laughs. If you are expecting a brilliant, groundbreaking take on the genre, you might want to adjust your expectations before pressing play. However, if you just want to kick back and watch Will Ferrell scream at a golf ball while wearing completely outrageous outfits, it is definitely a solid choice for your weekend.
