Hellraiser is a 1987 British supernatural horror film written and directed by Clive Barker in his directorial debut. Based on Barker’s 1986 novella The Hellbound Heart, the film’s plot concerns a mystical puzzle box that summons the Cenobites, a group of extra-dimensional, sadomasochistic beings who cannot differentiate between pain and pleasure. It stars Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, and Doug Bradley as the leader of the Cenobites, identified in the sequels as “Pinhead”.
via Wikipedia
This is the original that started the entire movie franchise of what is now eleven films as of writing this post. I have a fondness for origin stories in general and this one holds up to that. The fact that it is based on a novella only makes it more endearing for me as I’m also an avid book lover.
There is a bit of supernatural gore and torture to this movie, and while I’m typically of the opinion that most gore is unnecessary, this is a bit of an exception and it’s what the movie series is known for, that and the Cenobites who are involved in the torturing of whoever decides to solve the puzzle box and have their deepest desires come true.
I also quite enjoy the bit of psychological horror that is at play here with the human characters. Frank, who started all the shenanigans by solving the puzzle box is creepy from the get-go. I mean, he goes after his niece, and not just as a sacrifice to the Cenobites.
It’s a freaky origin story that is now a cult classic (even if it isn’t, I still say it is). It pops up on streaming services around October and it’s now an older movie so fairly easy to find online. But, don’t eat while watching it if you have a sensitive stomach.
Fellowship of Filming(s) 