Ash P
We're finally at the end, and after so many bad to in-the-middle sequels since the first movie, this is a good way to end the franchise by looking into the remake of Hellraiser. It's creative. It's refreshing. It does have a couple of issues that I will point out later on, but I will say that it's a little better than the original. However, this has been the best since the original Hellraiser itself. Think of it like a great beginning to a great end as far as we've been on the Hellraiser bus ride.
The story centers around a woman named Riley McKendry, played by Odessa A'zion, who is recovering from a drug addiction and having some fun with Trevor, played by Drew Starkey, who she'd met in a twelve-step program. One night, she and Trevor snuck into a shipyard container where a safe held a puzzle box called the Lament Configuration. As Riley got home, she and her brother, Matt, played by Brandon Flynn, got into an argument due to her drinking and kicked her out of his home. She does so and decides to solve the puzzle, summoning the Cenobites. When Matt had a dream and felt guilty, he went out to check up on Riley in the park where she recides. He gets cut from the blade that comes out of the box and disappears.
Riley convinces Trevor to help out and tracks down the lawyer of Roland Voight, played by Goran Visnjic, and tells them where he lives. As soon as they arrive, Riley discovers the Lament Configuration that can grant a "gift" from the god known as the Leviathan once six victims were sacrificed after each stab the puzzle box had dealt to anyone they inflict. Riley finds an apparition of Matt down below that did nothing but spook her. Trevor, along with Riley and Matt's boyfriend and roommate, Nora, played by Aoife Hinds, and Colin, played by Adan Faison, notched Riley being freaked out and suggested to take her home. Yet Riley explained her findings and suggested continuing their investigation. Yet things don't get better once the Cenobites pay a visit, demanding more victims.
I will be fair here. The story is basic for what it was going for. Of course, it is lackluster at times, especially when Riley does get a visit and doesn't understand until Pinhead, played by Jamie Clayton, explains to her about the puzzle box as they demand the remaining victims, tempting Riley to further push her pursuit for a "gift" like bringing her brother back. There are a couple of twists that were actually amazing while the ending is subtle enough to understand why Riely made her decision. I would explain more, yet that would mean I would spoil what happened. For Voight, he isn't around much except for the beginning and the last forty minutes and his appearance, in my opinion, makes sense on why he allowed them into his mansion that looked like it was meant to be a cage just by looking at the exterior.
The acting is good, and I love Riley and her chemistry between Trevor and Matt. You'd believe the relationship between Riley and Matt are genuine brother and sister while seeing Trevor care for Riley until we get to the part where a plot twist occurred. I won't say what happened to Trevor, but I find it satisfying. The development is rushed at times, yet thankfully, it wasn't too much of it. The side-characters are fine, yet they don't stick around too long. Let's talk about Pinhead, and I will say Jamie Clayton, who played as Pinhead, is amazing. I gave Paul T. Taylor credit for filling in Doug Bradley's shoes as Pinhead, but Jamie Clayton has all the rights to filling in for Doug Bradley just by her presence when it comes to Pinhead's menacing presence and aura farming, as I joked about it since the first movie, actually. Also, as a disclaimer, if certain folks would come in to argue that a woman shouldn't play as Pinhead, screw off. That kind of argument is dead on arrival since she killed it. Pinhead is like Death, where it would come in any shape and form. Doug Bradley would be proud of Jamie Clayton if you ask me.
As speaking of the Cenobites, the designs of them look amazing. They went heavy on the practical effects and each of them look gnarly. Like bringing back the body flavor horror of Hellraiser. You have the Chatterer, the Weeper, Gasp, and Asphyx. There was a short on YouTube where they were having a lunch break, and I highly recommend you check it out. It's like the Cenobites are walking among us before they deliver pain and pleasure. There were some digital effects used, like with the Lament Configuration forming into various shapes. The practical effects and costume designs carry the movie from beginning to end. What also keeps the movie interesting is that when a victim is about to be claimed, the atmosphere changes, and the Cenobites would appear. There was an additional ending that involved a new Cenobite being born, but I won't spoil who becomes the new Cenobite.
Sure, the first half of the movie takes its time until we get to the fun in the mansion. Yet the Cenobites prevent themselves, whether in Riley's mind or when they claim a new victim keeps the movie going. The movie is two hours long, so the runtime would get to you sometimes. Overall, this is a Hellraiser movie that felt like it revived the franchise. David Bruckner cooked with what he wanted to do with this movie. The producer, Keith Levine, did confirm that there are developments in collaboration with Bruckner for a sequel. I don't wanna get my hopes up, but I am down to watch where the first movie has left off.
With that said, I am giving the new take of Hellraiser eight Pinhead aura farming behind bars out of ten. 8/10. It is done. We're done with this franchise.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
10/24/25
Full Review
Gregory S
It is definitely one of the better films in the franchise. Cinematography and direction was great. Screenplay and acting were not ba at all, but not great. But, this is the primary issue that I have... Pinhead. I thought that Clayton did a pretty good job with the role. I have read Barkers books, The Hellbound Heart, The Scarlet Gospels, and Hellraiser: The Toll. This movie definitely capture more of the essence of High Priest that was in the books. But, Doug Bradly is the GOAT. The voice, the look, screen presence he has in the earlier films is simply brilliant.
Whether it would have made a difference, I do not know. But, instead of using Pinhead, why not move to one of the other characters or crate a new one.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
10/19/25
Full Review
Fabricio S
Filme que tenta copiar o original, muito fraco na história, roteiro sem sentido, eles tentam fazer uma história com a personagem mais se perdem pq ao mesmo tempo coloca outra porrada de gente e se perde na hora de explicar. Tenta jumpscare mais falha, terror nn tem nada.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
10/04/25
Full Review
Mark S
Tries too hard to do too much with too little; So many cringe social imitations, and so much imbecilic dialogue.
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
10/01/25
Full Review
Gustavo A
I didn't like cenobites looking more like aliens than sex-demons, but the reason I can't recommend this movie is because I never bought the reasoning behind the character s decisions. It was not clear to me the rules under what the cenobites operate and an multiple dialogs where just exposition.
Just watch the original hellraiser
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
09/29/25
Full Review
Audience Member
le quirky milennials take on cenobites. plot is cliche and feels like Tucker and Dale vs Pinhead, with kids accidentally stabbing themselves on a box. gone are any of the darker themes explored in the original. if you even remotely enjoyed the original just skip this one.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
09/08/25
Full Review
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