There's a lot of adult animation online, but very rarely do we get something so fresh, wicked, and bat-shit crazy. With "Bad Exorcist (Bogdan Boner: Egzorcysta)," Netflix has unleashed a freakshow adult animation, a Polish hellstorm that's like if someone took a chainsaw to a sitcom, stapled on some grindcore album art, and set the whole thing on fire. While the series starts more like a sitcom, with the exorcist agency getting into unusual altercations with demons, it gets even wackier with each approaching episode.
Bogdan Boner, a middle-aged exorcist who's equal parts conman, drunk, and unhinged antihero. He runs an agency with the area code 666 (naturally), charges double if you want a receipt, and kills demons in ways that would make the Vatican faint. (Case in point: hiding a grenade in his... yeah.) His life is a nonstop parade of apocalyptic nonsense, from drunken brawls with hellspawn to a Prince of Hell who's less "scary demon lord" and more "overworked suburban dad" (complaining about chores, texting on a flip phone, and, yes, picking up his kid from kindergarten). But don't be fooled-this red bastard's still hellbent on ruining Bogdan's life, whether by sending a succubus to seduce him or just making everything explode. Man, it's a goddamn freefall into madness.
The biggest plus is in the dialogues, many of which are twisted, disgusting, and funny. I'd mention the fish admitting to an affair with a seahorse, even the rechristened or resatanised banter, a troll with performance issues, and Netflix itself getting dragged. Then there's the Heavy Metal Band's crimes in "Season 2" (which, no spoilers, but yikes). Even minor characters-like the priests, demons, and random hellspawn-ooze twisted perfection.
"Season 2" dabbles in time travel, retirement woes, and daddy issues-maybe not as tight as "Season 1's" demonic romp, but who cares? This show isn't here to moralize; it's here to vomit absurdity into your eyeballs. The animation is like early '90s death metal/grindcore album covers; it's ugly, brilliant, and exactly what adult animation needs.
Word of Caution: This is NOT for the weak-stomached or easily offended. If you don't have a high tolerance for absurdist comedy with some demonic debauchery and geysers of animated blood, back away slowly. But if you dig this kind of unhinged chaos, binge it, and I really hope the Netflix algorithm gods grant us a "Season 3."
Because let's be real-shows like "Bad Exorcist" don't come around often. Netflix's graveyard is littered with cult gems they axed too soon; also check out "Messiah," "Archive 81," "The OA," "The Society," "Sick Note," "A Very Secret Service," "The Trail," "Goedam," "The Kingdom," "Giri/Haji," "Kotaro Lives Alone," "American Vandal," "The Sinner," "Signal" (Korean), "Suburra: Blood on Rome," "Fauda," "Godless," "Midnight Diner," "Alias Grace," "Travelers," "White Gold," "Russian Doll," and "Santa Clarita Diet." And "BRAND NEW CHERRY FLAVOR," what a ride. (If you haven't seen it, read my review; it's a Lynchian descent into celluloid obsession, body horror, and pure WTF.)
So, this weird, wild, wonderful side of Netflix needs love. Because if we don't rally behind "Bad Exorcist," it'll end up in the Cancellation Catacombs with the rest. So. Scream about it. Make memes. Light a candle. Sacrifice a goat if you have to. Just don't let this one die.
