Clive Barker’s Hellraiser (1987) Movie Review

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Fister Roboto in Horror, Movie Reviews, Retro Movies, Trailers // 3 Comments

Article by: TheHorrorIntern

The name Clive Barker has become a household brand in the world of horror since his early writings in the horror genre beginning in the mid-80’s with The Damnation Game and The Hellbound Heart (a prequel to Hellraiser). When Clive Barker decided to turn his novella’s sequel into film, he had no idea just how iconic as well as frightening that his creation would become.

The premise of Hellraiser (for those not educated) is based around an alternate reality/realm based around carnal pleasure. The only way to see or experience this realm is a simple looking puzzle box, known as the Lament Configuration. As the movie opens, we see our antagonist Frank Cotton purchasing this box from a marketplace. As he sits down in the attic of his house he slowly begins to fiddle with it, moving his hands about it until it jumps from his hands and begins to move, eventually opening on one side. Frank is then treated to a series of chains and hooks protruding from the box lash out and rip into his skin.

No parents, not a good idea for your next Christmas Gift

I asked Fister Roboto to let me review this movie for him simply because it is one of, if not my favorite horror movie of all time. When I first watched this movie, I was unsure of how to feel about it until I watched the puzzle box open, and the chains lash out and sink into Frank’s (Sean Chapman) skin. I knew then that there was no way I would be able to turn my attention away from this one.

Hellraiser brings all the love and attraction of a hell that is based around Sadomasochism, as well as the cunning of getting your former mistress to bring men home with the prospect of “good times” only to have them donate their organs to the “Give me my skin back” foundation (Patent Pending). Our Antagonist Frank (a sleazy, pleasure-seeking scumbag) convinces his lover Julia, his brother Larry’s second wife, that she needs to help him regain his former strength after having his skin and vital organs taken by the purveyors of the realm of carnal pleasures known as the Cenobites. Talk about your terms of endearment.

Who loves ya baby??

Batting for the protagonist side is Kirsty Cotton (Ashley Laurence) who is assisting her Father Larry with moving into his new home (formerly Frank’s). Kirsty is dragged into this mess after witnessing Julia killing off one of her unsuspecting victims, getting attacked by a bloody Frank, and then running off with the puzzle box, only to summon the Cenobites. (Not the best Friday ever)