Halloween has always been a sacred time here on the blog. Every October I review a bunch of horror films that all share a common theme. In 2017 it was my personal favourite horrors, in 2018 it was the Phantasm series, 2019 it was sequels to my personal favourite horrors and last year it was the Friday the 13^th franchise, which got a lot more attention than I expected.

So this year I thought I’d cover another franchise, one I’m quite fond of; the Hellraiser movies.

The first three I’ve seen many times, the fourth I’ve seen once or twice, the fifth and sixth just once and the rest I haven’t seen at all. Expect in-depth reviews of the first three and merely first impressions of the rest, similar to my Friday the 13^th reviews.

The Hellraiser series consists of ten instalments so let’s not waste any time and get into the one that started it all, 1987’s Hellraiser.

The Characters

Clive Barker’s directorial debut is, at its heart, a passionate love story. Larry and his new wife Julia move into his old home, which was formerly occupied by Larry’s hedonistic brother Frank. Unbeknownst to Larry, Julia had an amorous affair with Frank. Unbeknownst to Larry and Julia, Frank was killed in the house by a group of demons known as the Cenobites. A drop of Larry’s blood from an accidental cut resurrects Frank’s remains. Julia agrees to help Frank rebuild his body by bringing people to the house for him to absorb their flesh.

Larry and Julia are very well written characters, they feel like a real everyday couple with a real everyday relationship issue. It’s clear from the moment we meet them that Julia does not share her husband’s confidence and optimism. Larry’s arc is composed of his efforts to support and please Julia as he recognises that she’s unhappy. What he doesn’t recognise is that he is the cause of her unhappiness. Larry is dull, average and compromises constantly, the complete opposite of his brother Frank hence Julia’s immediate attraction to him.

This is compelling stuff. While Julia certainly isn’t likable you understand her motives. She feels trapped and craves a second chance. Larry is very much likable but he has a rather tragic dimension because most of what we see him do is for the betterment of his wife, who is plotting to give him the last thing that he deserves.

The other principle character is Kirsty, Larry’s daughter from a previous marriage. She is the weakest of the film’s quartet as she’s essentially the ‘final girl’ archetype. She’s intelligent, loving, witty and can defend herself but she lacks Julia’s sympathetic angst and Larry’s tragic naivety. In a lowbrow slasher she would fit in perfectly but in Hellraiser, a film that’s clearly aiming for something higher with its mature adult leads, she’s out of her depth.

The Horror

Most of Hellraiser’s horror is intended to disgust rather than to disturb as there is more gore and body horror in the film than suspense or eerie imagery. Frank’s resurrection and transformation holds up beautifully. Thirty years following the film’s release and the makeup effects don’t fail to repulse. Some effects have aged which is expected when looking at a film from the late 80s’. The ones that suffer the most are the composite lightning effects and the awkwardly rigid puppet for the engineer creature.

I have not heard this discussed elsewhere but, in addition to body horror, I believe Hellraiser offers some psychological horror. The scenes where Julia is luring men into Frank’s room are not only disgusting but quite upsetting. The performances and dialogue really make these scenes. You initially look down on the men Julia encounters as they are just going after her for sex but when they’re inside her house and they see Frank, the mortal terror they convey feels unnervingly real.

Many call Hellraiser a classic horror film but personally I would refer to it as an iconic horror film. While the characters of Larry and Julia are superbly executed, Kirsty is clearly our protagonist and for me she is just not strong enough to elevate the film to the status of classic. However, with its solid makeup effects and unforgettable Cenobite designs, I don’t have any fears about the film’s legacy. In fact, from what I’ve seen, it may be the best in the series. Let’s hope I’m wrong.

I give Hellraiser a stunning 8 out of 10.

One down. Nine to go!