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Hellraiser

Play trailer 1:27 Poster for Hellraiser R 1987 1h 33m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
71% Tomatometer 55 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Sexual deviant Frank (Sean Chapman) inadvertently opens a portal to hell when he tinkers with a box he bought while abroad. The act unleashes gruesome beings called Cenobites, who tear Frank's body apart. When Frank's brother (Andrew Robinson) and his wife, Julia (Clare Higgins), move into Frank's old house, they accidentally bring what is left of Frank back to life. Frank then convinces Julia, his one-time lover, to lure men back to the house so he can use their blood to reconstruct himself.
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Hellraiser

Hellraiser

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Critics Consensus

Elevated by writer-director Clive Barker's fiendishly unique vision, Hellraiser offers a disquieting - and sadistically smart - alternative to mindless gore.

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Critics Reviews

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Chris Stuckmann ChrisStuckmann.com 10/14/2019
B+
The reason the movie works as well as it does is because of its human characters. Go to Full Review
William Thomas Empire Magazine 11/13/2017
4/5
Horror is at its best when it's relentless. Clive Barker knows this, and his debut feature as director is so gleefully vicious, so relentlessly grim that it's going to be very hard for fans of the genre not to like it. Go to Full Review
Bob McCabe Empire Magazine 11/13/2017
4/5
With Hellraiser, Clive Barker created one of the most genuinely disturbing movies of the last 20 years. Go to Full Review
Bryce Hanson Horror Movie Talk Sep 18
9/10
This film is Clive Barker’s best film, and it is a unique mix of family dysfunction, sex, sadism, and gore. At times it feels like a 50’s melodrama, other times like a nightmare, and sometimes like torture porn. Go to Full Review
Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 11
4/5
Earns the legacy it has built for setting the standard of blending the grotesque with the erotic, all while being weirder than an audience could have anticipated. Go to Full Review
Grant Hermanns Screen Rant Feb 7
8/10
Clive Barker's original adaptation of his Hellbound Heart novella, Hellraiser, remains a tightly-paced genre classic, despite its narrative flaws. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Xane B. @xabobinchuck Nov 30 A little slow but a classic movie and pinhead is a great villian. See more Maksim S Nov 28 Hellraiser is a relentless masterclass in terror, from its first shocking moment to its unforgettable, nightmarish conclusion. Clive Barker’s directorial debut doesn’t just tell a horror story—it drags the viewer into a world where pain, pleasure, and fear are inseparably entwined, crafting an atmosphere of unyielding dread that lingers long after the credits roll. The film’s horror is both psychological and visceral. Its extreme gore is executed with brutal creativity, satisfying even the most hardcore horror aficionados, while the darkly imaginative Cenobites remain some of the most iconic and terrifying creatures ever conceived. Every sequence pulses with tension, from the quiet, creeping suspense to the full-blown nightmare scenarios that define the film’s unforgettable set pieces. Hellraiser is uncompromising, shocking, and utterly unforgettable—a perfect storm of atmosphere, gore, and pure, unrelenting terror. For fans of true horror, it is simply essential. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Nov 27 I obviously know Pin Head is a horror icon for the ages, but when I watched it, I didn't like it. Definitely 18+. I might watch it again. See more Luis Ivan M Nov 22 A unique entry in the horror genre, Hellraiser stands out for its original universe, striking world-building, and unforgettable imagery. The film introduces a mythology that feels distinct and richly imagined, brought to life through impressive make-up, practical effects, and production design. Many of its visuals remain iconic decades later, lingering in the viewer’s mind long after the credits roll. In terms of pure horror atmosphere, the film unquestionably delivers. One of the film’s most interesting choices is its narrative perspective. Rather than immediately anchoring us to the protagonist, the story initially follows the villains and the morally corrupt characters surrounding them. Only in the second half do we shift toward our more traditional protagonist. This unconventional structure works well with the film’s central themes, namely the pursuit of sinful, forbidden pleasures and the inevitable consequences that follow. The story is clear and the thematic exploration effective. That said, the main characters are somewhat one-dimensional, undergoing little to no development throughout the runtime. Certain plot points feel contrived, and while some unanswered questions fit the film’s mystique, others (particularly developments near the ending) feel unresolved or disconnected from the film’s overall arc. Some of the special effects show their age, which may detract from the experience for modern viewers, though they remain admirable considering the film’s budget and era. Despite these minor issues, Hellraiser remains a must-watch, especially for fans of horror who appreciate bold, unforgettable imagery and unique narrative worlds. It’s not overwhelmingly scary, making it accessible even to those who aren’t devoted genre fans, but enthusiasts will find plenty to admire in its creativity and aesthetic impact. See more Taylor H. @TH0809 Nov 19 CRAZY body horror! With watching for that alone. See more Mania I. @TheMania510 Oct 23 one of the best horror movies from the 80s. Great storyline and casting with good solid direction from Clive zBarker. Several sequels followed. Truly terrifying in someoments. Special effects good but now seem a little dated. Still a fun watch. See more Read all reviews
Hellraiser

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Movie Info

Synopsis Sexual deviant Frank (Sean Chapman) inadvertently opens a portal to hell when he tinkers with a box he bought while abroad. The act unleashes gruesome beings called Cenobites, who tear Frank's body apart. When Frank's brother (Andrew Robinson) and his wife, Julia (Clare Higgins), move into Frank's old house, they accidentally bring what is left of Frank back to life. Frank then convinces Julia, his one-time lover, to lure men back to the house so he can use their blood to reconstruct himself.
Director
Clive Barker
Producer
Christopher Figg
Screenwriter
Clive Barker
Distributor
New World Pictures, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Image Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
Rivdel Films
Rating
R
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 18, 1987, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Feb 5, 2025
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 25, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$13.3M
Runtime
1h 33m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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