Series: Hellraiser

There are certain expectations when dealing with a film titled 'Hellraiser'. For example, one would expect that hell will be involved, and, further, that someone or something will be raising that hell. In this respect, Clive Barker's horror legacy does not disappoint. However, now that Hellraiser has permeated popular culture, we have higher expectations to be met. We expect the makings of a classic, the iconic Pinhead instilling exquisite terror. In short, we expect a nightmare on celluloid. The film does not disappoint. It is a masterfully executed production, with a chilling story, great performances, and amazing special effects.(read more...)

The Hellraiser saga has been straight-to-video for years. Deader, the seventh entry, illustrates why. The film is stunningly awful. From its absurd premise, shudder-worthy dialogue, and amateurish acting to its disheartening abandonment of the original Hellraiser lore, Deader makes me wonder if future entries even deserve a medium as popular as DVD. Maybe there's hope for a Lifetime movie of the week?(read more...)

We’ve seen one house turned into a young woman’s private Hell. We’ve journeyed with that woman into Hell itself. What’s left, but Hell on Earth?(read more...)

What's so surprising about the Hellraiser franchise (if we may call it such) is that no sequel is a repeat performance of its predecessor. No - forget the parentheses: it should not be placed on the same level as Halloween or Friday the 13th, admirable though these franchises may be. For each film has a fresh hell to offer us. Hellraiser's was restricted to one house: a contained, private hell. Hellraiser II takes us to greater depths, as Hellraiser's dynamic teen heroine Kirsty faces the Cenobites on their own turf.(read more...)