Hellraiser (1987)

Number Rolled: 10

Movie Name/Year: Hellraiser (1987)

Genre: Horror

Length: 93 minutes

Rating: R

Director: Clive Barker

Writer: Clive Barker

Actors: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Sean Chapman, Oliver Smith, Robert Hines

Larry and Julia have decided to move into a house Larry inherited. It’s a long way from Brooklyn, but that’s not such a bad thing in their minds. It goes pretty well until Larry cuts himself and the blood brings back to life something from hell. Blood and murder begin to take over the household as Kirsty (Larry’s daughter) attempts to solve the puzzle of what’s going on.

This cult classic is one of those movies I should have watched long ago and have simply failed to do so. Had I watched it earlier in my life, it may have scared me to death. Even now, in my desensitized-to-horror state, I found it to be chilling.

Watching Hellraiser was a bit like stepping back into time. Not just because it made me remember the horrible hair and ridiculous clothing either. I remember when the graphics in this film were considered amazing and so it’s easy for me to watch it from that point of view. Sure, if it had come out now with the same putty-like skin/blood and plastic masks, we wouldn’t find anything quite as believable; which would have really been a shame since I’m certain that this movie is what horror movies are supposed to be.

The script was clever, the acting was really good and the plot-line was phenomenal. I saw, immediately, where some popular works had been influenced by this film. In fact, I saw where there had been nods from Supernatural, 13 Ghosts, Event Horizon and The X-Files. I can’t blame them for their possible inspiration being this movie, it certainly left an impact.

Overall Opinion – 4.5/5

P.S. Hellraiser was based on a book titled “The Hellbound Heart” which was written by Clive Barker. This was also his first time directing a full-length feature film.