"A gift for long-suffering fans after numerous subpar sequels, David Bruckner's Hellraiser unlocks the puzzle box for getting this franchise back on the right track."
-ROTTEN TOMATOES
Just because the new PINHEAD actress happens to be trans doesn't mean this movie was going to be inherently queer, but I really love how much they leaned into the gayness. there isn't much of a way to integrate that into this review, but it really helps this movie feel more modern.
Hellraiser is a 2022 American supernatural horror film directed by David Bruckner, with a screenplay by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski, from a screen story they co-wrote with David S. Goyer. A second adaptation of the 1986 novella The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker, which served as the basis for his 1987 film Hellraiser, it is a reboot of the titular franchise and the eleventh installment overall. A young woman struggling with addiction comes into possession of an ancient puzzle box, unaware that its purpose is to summon the Cenobites, a group of sadistic supernatural beings from another dimension.
Long story short this movie is just awesome. It reminds me quite a bit of the Candyman remake in the way that it was able to tell a similar story using the same themes that still manages to feel completely unique in the sea of Hellraiser movies we already have. Especially considering just how shitty these movies have gotten in the past, this almost feels like an art house film in comparison.
A movie like this could easily be remembered strictly for its go or in creature effects without much concern for strong characters, but this movie arguably has some characters stronger than the original. Riley is what a hell of a unique protagonist that you can't help but root for, Is she is surrounded by equally well developed and unique characters. We often see them lashes out in anger and saying things they don't mean which makes things feel a tad soap opera at times, but it's packed full of wonderful little character moments that reveal some of the stunning acting talent in the cast. I'm not saying this is some Oscar where they shit or anything, but it feels very genuine and easy to get invested in.
But hey if you're not feeling especially sentimental for any character in particular, you could just revel in this movies commitment to some of the most squeamish gore horror has to offer. If you ask me the worst horror movie to be stuck in, it wouldn't take me long before I answered HELLRAISER this movie just confirms that decision for me. It's not just how extreme the cenobites kinks are, but the fact that they happen to completely innocent people at Whim. It's not just on par with the level of gore and violence the HELLRAISER name invokes, this movie goes above and beyond with its uncompromising nastiness.
The cenobites themselves are all nastier, the effects used to show off leviathan's realm are better than they ever have been before, and every step this movie takes in a new direction works perfectly for me.
About damn time we got a good HELLRASIER film
8/10
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