Will Ferrell is back in the sports comedy world with his first lead role in a television series. The Hawk landed on Netflix on July 16, 2026, bringing the famous comedian back to the kind of role that made him a household name. But this time, things are different. The show tries to mix comedy with some serious topics, and the result has left many viewers confused about what they are actually watching.
The 10-episode series follows Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins, a golfer who was the number one player in the world back in 2004. Now, years later, he is trying to make a comeback and win one last major tournament to complete golf’s Grand Slam. The problem is, his body says retire, but his heart says he is not done yet. His ex-wife and his son, who is now a successful golfer himself, know he is finished. But Lonnie refuses to accept that.
The Show’s Premise Feels Very Familiar
The basic story of The Hawk is something audiences have seen many times before. A washed-up athlete trying to get back to the top is not a new idea. The show follows Lonnie as he travels around in his RV, trying to work his way back through the ranks of professional golf. He is loud, obnoxious, and wears clothes so bright they could distract anyone watching.
Will Ferrell created the series along with his longtime friends Harper Steele, a former Saturday Night Live writer, and Chris Henchy, who directed The Other Guys. The cast includes some big names. Molly Shannon plays Lonnie’s estranged wife Stacy. Jimmy Tatro plays his son Lance, who resents his father and is also a talented golfer. Fortune Feimster plays Sam, Lonnie’s new caddie. Luke Wilson appears as Golden Fisk, Lonnie’s longtime rival. Chris Parnell, Katelyn Tarver, and David Hornsby also have roles in the series.
The show has a theme song with very simple lyrics: “They call him the Hawk, he’s a golfer, the greatest golfer in the world”. This kind of basic humor sets the tone for what viewers can expect.
The Dark Side of The Hawk
While The Hawk is marketed as a comedy, it deals with some heavy subjects that might surprise viewers. The show is not a typical sports comedy. It tackles serious issues like the collapse of a career, family problems, addiction, personal regret, and the struggle for redemption.
Lonnie Hawkins is not a lovable fool like many of Ferrell’s previous characters. He comes across as selfish, narcissistic, and often unpleasant. His arrogance has cost him his career and ruined his personal life. He has gone through a divorce and has a very difficult relationship with his son.
The show explores the father-son rivalry between Lonnie and Lance, but this is not simple competition. It is the result of years of resentment. Lance struggles with gambling and addiction, which is not a comedic topic. These serious elements add layers to the characters but also make the show much more than just a comedy.
At times, The Hawk can be uncomfortable to watch because of Lonnie’s existing issues and complicated relationships. The show tries to balance drama and comedy, but it often undermines emotional moments with crude jokes. This creates a confusing tone that does not always work.
Critical Reception Has Been Mostly Negative
The reviews for The Hawk have not been kind. Many critics have pointed out that the show feels outdated and unoriginal.
The Hollywood Reporter called the show “hollow and forgettable,” saying it feels like “a set of placeholder notecards, a vague outline of a series unencumbered by any fleshed-out ideas or characterizations”. The review noted that while the cast is talented, their abilities are wasted on weak material.
IndieWire described the series as “a lame comedy — or a bizarre addiction drama”. The review pointed out that the show cannot decide what it wants to be. One critic from Slate went even further, calling the show “so bad” that they suggested Hollywood should take a break from making golf shows. They compared it unfavorably to other recent golf content like Stick on Apple TV and the Happy Gilmore sequel.
NME gave a very harsh review, saying the show is “crass, deeply unfunny and painfully unimaginative”. They wrote that the series “indulges all of Ferrell’s worst comedic instincts and squashes the better ones”. The review also pointed out that Lonnie is “spectacularly unlikeable” and that the show seems unsure whether to present him as a hero or a villain.
The Irish Times was also critical, calling the show “atrocious” and saying it feels like “a fading cover version of a novelty hit from decades ago”. They noted that the humor relies too much on swear words and toilet references.
Even RogerEbert.com, which was slightly more positive, admitted the show is only “intermittently amusing” and that the 10-episode run stretches the comedy to “tedious and sometimes grating lengths”.
Some Critics Found Things to Like
Not every review was completely negative. TheWrap described The Hawk as “dumb fun” and said it is “plenty watchable”. They noted that there are stronger comedic passages in the second half of the season that feel more like Ferrell’s old self emerging.
TV Insider called Ferrell a “comedy master” even in a show they described as “deeply shallow”. This suggests that Ferrell’s performance still has some appeal, even if the material does not.
Some viewers who enjoy Ferrell’s earlier work might find things to appreciate. The show features many of his frequent collaborators, and the chemistry between them is evident. Molly Shannon, who has worked with Ferrell since their SNL days in 1995, said it was hard to play a character who screams at him because they are so close in real life.
What Viewers Are Saying
Social media reactions to The Hawk have been mixed. Some fans of Will Ferrell appreciate seeing him back in a sports comedy role. Others have expressed disappointment with the show’s tone and humor.
The show’s humor has been compared to early 2000s comedy, which some find nostalgic but others consider outdated and offensive in 2026. This generational divide in comedy tastes has affected how different audiences receive the show.
Some viewers have pointed out that the show tries too hard to be edgy. The crude humor and attempts at shock value do not always land. Others have noted that the serious moments feel out of place because they are often followed by juvenile jokes.
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Should You Watch The Hawk?
Deciding whether to watch The Hawk depends on what you are looking for. If you are a big fan of Will Ferrell and enjoy his earlier sports comedies like Talladega Nights or Blades of Glory, you might find some entertainment value here. The show does have moments that feel like classic Ferrell.
However, if you are expecting a straightforward comedy, you might be surprised by the darker elements. The show deals with addiction, family estrangement, and personal failure in ways that are not always funny. The attempt to mix these serious topics with crude humor does not always work smoothly.
The show’s 10-episode run might also feel long for some viewers. What could have worked as a 90-minute movie is stretched out, and some episodes feel like they are just filling time.
For those who enjoy golf-themed entertainment, there are other options that critics have found more successful. Apple TV’s Stick with Owen Wilson and the Happy Gilmore sequel have been mentioned as better alternatives.
The Hawk is now streaming on Netflix with all 10 episodes available. Each episode runs between 28 and 37 minutes. The show is rated TV-MA for mature audiences.
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