Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film takes place primarily in two key locations: the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. The story also features the Troll Market, a hidden underground marketplace where magical creatures reside. These locations represent the collision between the human world and the hidden magical realm.

• brooklyn bridge
• giant's causeway
• troll market
• setting
• locations

The movie spans from Christmas of 1955, when the original conflict between humans and magical creatures was established, to the present day. This time jump highlights how society's views on magic and monstrosity have evolved over decades, with the consequences of past decisions resurfacing in the modern narrative.

• 1955
• present day
• time period
• historical context
• timeline

The Golden Army is a formidable ancient force of mechanical warriors that was created by the magical realm to defend against humanity. After a truce was established in 1955, the army was sealed away. Prince Nuada seeks to awaken this army to restore his race's dominance over humans, making the Golden Army the central threat of the film.

• golden army
• prince nuada
• ancient army
• magical warriors
• threat

The film explores three major themes: Conflict between humans and magical beings, with the rivalry between Prince Nuada and his sister Nuala representing the larger struggle for power; Sacrifice, as Nuala makes a tragic choice to save humanity; and Parenthood, through Liz's unexpected pregnancy which shapes Hellboy's identity and future choices.

• themes
• conflict
• sacrifice
• parenthood
• duality
• power

Prince Nuada is a royal elven prince and the main antagonist of the film. Driven by a desire to reclaim his race's dominance over humanity, he seeks to awaken the Golden Army. His character embodies the duality of nobility and tyranny, with motives rooted in painful history and the mistreatment of magical beings throughout the centuries.

• prince nuada
• antagonist
• villain
• elven prince
• golden army

Princess Nuala is the twin sister of Prince Nuada and represents compassion amidst the conflict between magical beings and humanity. Caught between her brother's ambitions and her desire for peace, she forms a romantic relationship with Abe Sapien. Her character showcases the theme of loyalty and the heartbreaking choices faced in pursuit of harmony.

• princess nuala
• twin sister
• abe sapien
• romance
• peace

Nuala sacrifices herself to stop her brother Prince Nuada and save humanity. As the twin sister whose life force is linked to Nuada's, she chooses to use the link between them to kill him, even though it means her own death. This act represents the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good and brings the theme of familial loyalty vs. greater morality to its tragic conclusion.

• nuala sacrifice
• death
• twin bond
• greater good
• tragic ending

Liz Sherman is a powerful firestarter and Hellboy's romantic partner. Throughout the film, she grapples with her traumatic past while navigating her relationship with Hellboy. Her unexpected pregnancy becomes a central element, emphasizing themes of hope and renewal amid the chaos, and forcing Hellboy to confront questions about his identity and legacy.

• liz sherman
• firestarter
• pregnancy
• partner
• hope

Hellboy, a demon raised among humans, continues to struggle with accepting his identity as a monster throughout the film. He grapples with where he belongs between the human and magical worlds. His desire to protect humanity is constantly challenged by the realities of his demonic existence, especially as he faces becoming a father himself.

• hellboy identity
• demon
• monster
• belonging
• self-acceptance

The Troll Market is a hidden underground marketplace in New York City where magical creatures live in secret among humans. It serves as a visually whimsical location that showcases the film's fantasy worldbuilding, providing a contrast to the dark themes of the main conflict while illustrating the coexistence between magical beings and humanity.

• troll market
• magical creatures
• hidden world
• fantasy
• underground

The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (B.P.R.D.) is the organization that employs Hellboy, Liz Sherman, and Abe Sapien as agents protecting humanity from supernatural threats. While the B.P.R.D. is referenced throughout the film, the team's relationship with the bureau becomes strained by the events of the story, contributing to the bittersweet tone of the ending.

• b.p.r.d.
• bureau
• paranormal
• government agency
• team