Hellraiser

Lo and behold, I saw a movie from this decade! The topic for today is:

Hellraiser (2022).

This new adaptation of Clive Barker's original book is directed by David Bruckner with input from Barker himself.

The main character, Riley (Odessa A'zion) is a recovering drug addict who lives with her brother Matt (Brandon Flynn), his boyfriend Colin (Adam Faison) and their roommate Nora (Aoife Hinds). Riley has a hard time getting her act together, so when her sort of boyfriend Trevor (Drew Starkey) suggests a break in to get some quick cash, she's in. They break into a warehouse to find some, and I quote: “billionaire shit” and instead find the Puzzle Box. Things quickly get extremely nasty on several levels and they desperately try not only to survive, but to understand how and if surviving is even an option.

There are a total of eleven Hellraiser films, of which I have seen all but one. Most of them range from pretty bad to downright awful, so it was with a bit of trepidation that I sat down for this one. I was however very pleasantly surprised, Hellraiser 2022 is actually enjoyable!

First off, it is a gorgeous movie. The shots are lavish and the effects are sterling. The Cenobites, the creatures that are summoned when the Puzzle Box is opened, are almost completely redesigned, and in my opinion, the design is great. In the older movies starting with Hellraiser 1987, they are mutilated beings dressed in black robes with a fetish twist. Bruckner and Barker agreed that this look is not exactly shocking in the 2020's anymore, and to be fair they are correct.

In Hellraiser 2022, the Cenobites are basically naked, but “clothed” in their own partially flayed skin, and decorated with hooks, wires and pearl tipped needles. This has a creepy and disturbingly sexual effect. Nothing about them is alluring but you can't look away. Doug Bradley who played Pinhead, the head Cenobite, in eight movies had this to say about their redesign:

"I'm a bit blown away by this! The clever re-design of the make-up; the shimmer of the "pin heads"; the palette; whatever that keyhole/locket/tracheotomy thing is at the throat. It's simple, subtle, disturbing and sexy. Everything it should be. Peace and Pain, Doug."

The story is alright, with a couple of minor plot holes, but nothing too bad. It's not a blow your mind script, but can you really expect that? The actors are likewise good, but unfortunately the characters aren't. I found it hard to really care about them which does detract from the overall experience. Most of the characters are pretty one dimensional, if even that and Riley is too much of a screw-up for me to really care about.

The score is good, with some elements from the 1987 movie soundtrack incorporated, which gives a nice sense of a nod of respect to the original. There are likewise a couple of lines lifted from the original to do the same. Not quite easter eggs, but a fun thing non the less.

My biggest complaint about Hellraiser 2022 is the fundamental reasoning behind the Puzzle Box. In the second movie, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Pinhead says “It is not hands that summon us. It is desire”, meaning that even if you fool someone into opening the box for you, the Cenobites will take you with them to hell instead of your patsy. This is completely abandoned in the 2022 version. Anyone who as much as nicks themselves on a sharp corner of the box is fair game. I get it though as it adds the idea that no one is safe, but it kills the tempted into your own damnation angle.

So, do I recommend this movie? Yes, to horror fans I do! I had a blast with Hellraiser 2022, so much so in fact that the two hour run time flew by. It is far from perfect, but definitely good enough that I'll watch a sequel if they make one. Hellraiser 2022 joins the original Hellraiser 1987 and its sequel Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) as the three best movies in the franchise. A couple of the others have elements that are good, but if you watch these three, you've seen the best of what Hellraiser has to offer.

That's that and all that. Join me again next time and until then, have a great week!