How Netflix’s ‘The Hawk’ Reviews Stack Up Against Will Ferrell’s Movies

Will Ferrell’s first Netflix series, ‘The Hawk’, has landed with critics—and the early verdict is a mixed but intriguing chapter in the comedian’s career. The show, which dropped on the streaming giant in July 2026, sees Ferrell playing a washed-up former child star turned private investigator. It’s a tonal departure from his broad comedies, leaning into dark satire. Initial reviews suggest ‘The Hawk’ occupies a middle ground in Ferrell’s filmography: less universally beloved than ‘Elf’ or ‘Anchorman’, but far more interesting than his recent box office misfires like ‘Holmes & Watson’.

Will Ferrell’s new Netflix series ‘The Hawk’ has entered the review battlefield, and the scores are offering a nuanced picture of the star’s streaming pivot. The project, created by ‘Barry’ alum Jesse Peretz, premiered July 21 on Netflix. Critics have been quick to compare the show’s tone and quality to Ferrell’s 40-plus movie career. The series arrives at a time when Netflix is doubling down on star-driven comedies after mixed results with other A-list vehicles. For Ferrell, it marks his first long-form television leading role since ‘Saturday Night Live’.

Ferrell’s movie track record spans massive hits (‘Step Brothers’, ‘Talladega Nights’) and notorious bombs (‘The Campaign’ underperformed, ‘Get Hard’ aged poorly). ‘The Hawk’ attempts to recapture the comedic energy of his prime while adding a layer of melancholy. The show’s early Rotten Tomatoes score sits in the low 70s, a notch above his last few films but below his all-timer comedies. Metacritic indicates consensus is split: some praise Ferrell’s restraint, others miss the wild abandon of his 2000s heyday.

Key figures include: Will Ferrell as Hank ‘The Hawk’ Hawkins, a one-hit-wonder TV star turned PI; creator Jesse Peretz, known for ‘Girls’ and ‘The Office’; and supporting cast members Kathryn Hahn and Bill Hader. Netflix has ordered eight episodes. The most praised episode, according to early reviews, is the third, which features a surreal homage to ‘The Big Lebowski’. Conversely, critics have dinged the series for uneven pacing and a few meandering subplots.

Analysis: This show is a litmus test for Ferrell’s post-comedy-dynasty relevance. Streaming services often bank on nostalgia, but ‘The Hawk’ tries to evolve the Ferrell brand. If it clicks with audiences, it could herald a new chapter for the star—and a template for Netflix comedies targeting Gen X and millennial subscribers. If it fades, it may reinforce the sense that Ferrell’s comedic peak is behind him.

Outlook: Netflix has not announced a Season 2, but viewership over the next month will be decisive. Ferrell has already hinted at a return to film with Adam McKay. For now, ‘The Hawk’ gives fans a quirky, imperfect but watchable series—and a reason to debate which Will Ferrell era is best.