Ash P
Well, here we go again. Another Hellraiser direct-to-DVD sequel that we have tackled and just when the franchise doesn't get any deader, pun intended, it still acts like a bad movie. However, this one did not frustrate me like Hellseeker had done for me. But where would I put this in the line of the Hellraiser sequels? I would honestly say that I like this more than Bloodline and it's close to how I've enjoyed Inferno. Just a bit of a heads up, as much as I can minimize it, there will be some spoilers. You have been warned.
The story revolves around a reporter named Amy Klein, played by Kari Wuhrer, who is off to Bucharest on behest of her boss, Charles Richmond, played by Simon Kunz, to investigate a cult called the Deaders. This cult, shown via videotape, has this leader played by Ionut Chermenski, who has this ability to bring back the dead. Upon Amy's arrival at the videotape's sender, which is located in this apartment building, to find the sender being dead holding the Lament Configuration. How is it there? Who really cares at this point, right? After solving it, Pinhead appears once again, played again by Doug Bradley. She then goes to this train where this gang hangs out run by Joey, played by Marc Warren, to get a lead.
While Amy investigates, we see bits of her childhood being a rough one. Being abused physically and sexually abused. Honestly, I like Amy as a character. I can get behind her pursuit of any leads to finding the cult as well as feel for her for what she has gone through. I also like the cult being involved that could fit well with the Hellraiser franchise. Especially with the whole ambition of reanimation. What's interesting is the leader, who is actually the descendant of Philip LeMarchand, aka the Toymaker back in Hellraiser: Bloodline. The same guy who made the Lament Configuration. However, it seems the Cenobites have been wasted since Pinhead mainly appears in Amy's dreams and shows up at the last minute at the third act.
The acting is fine as a whole. Again, props to Kari Wuhrer for her acting. I think she is underrated as she is the sheriff in Eight Legged Freaks and I love that movie. She was also in Anaconda with Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube. I kinda wanna see some more movies where she starred in. I do feel for Doug Bradley, thinking that his acting is being wasted just like Pinhead. For the side characters, they're okay. Some of the camera work is not good. The effects are bad, unfortunately.
Unlike how the ending Hellseeker had done to piss me off, this had me feel for Amy's decision while it made sense on why she'd made her decision. You could make the argument that Deader was meant to be something other than another Hellraiser movie. To that, I would agree with you. This is still considered a guilty pleasure for me like I can with Inferno. Decent pacing, is what I can say about the two. And I would have to say the setting of the movie is nice and fits well. With that, I give Deader four and a half Amy solving the puzzle box with a cigarette at hand out of ten. 4.5/10.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
10/11/25
Full Review
thiago s
Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas de terror são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
07/15/25
Full Review
Jude H.
This might be one of the worst horror films of all time. Pinhead ONLY APPEARS one time at the end and the whole movie is a boring detective plot thing that is NOT interesting in any way. Its so boring that this is the only movie i didn’t pause when i needed to pee. It’s so long and i cant deal with. The only good thing is when pinhead shows up at the end but thats about it do not watch Hellraiser Deader
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
07/12/25
Full Review
Justin T
It’s not badly made or too badly paced but doesn’t feel like a Hellraiser film until the very end. There are some very odd editing choices. There are also very inconsistent character actions like why did she react so strongly to the guy jumping in front of the train but barely reacted to the girl in the bathroom? The visions are back again, why can’t they tell a story without lots of visions of stuff that isn’t happening? The main cast and characters are engaging enough, even the smaller roles are fine so can’t really fault the acting. The story can’t fill the runtime though, it could have been half the length but it’s quite nicely made surprisingly. It’s not as bad as it should be but also it’s pretty boring. A few good sequences and the characters make it barely passable.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
06/13/25
Full Review
Eric G
Another sequel where the cenobites just stand around looking creepy, nothing really scary happens and the plot gets much less interesting as soon as you realize Amy is in Hell--which for any fan of the films is as soon as she opens the box. Similar to Hellraiser VI, most of what happens is never explained or just doesn't make sense at all. The acting is fine, but good/decent acting doesn't make up for a poor story. Perhaps it would have been better if the "Deaders" (such a corny name!) did something more than die, but no, they just die, then die again, just like my interest in this film.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
05/21/25
Full Review
Adam B
The best movie in the "not written as a Hellraiser" portion of the franchise, Deader is still not very great. Still a snooze fest a many portions, the acting is still not great and the settings still feel cheap. That being said, there is a bit more connection to the franchise, the main character is more interesting, and the story is much more intresting then "generic mystery with the same twist".
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
04/08/25
Full Review
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