LogFAQs > #912217492

13. Hellraiser (film) (25.5 points)
Nominated by: GANON1025 (0/5 remaining)

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Importance: 8.5
Fear: 8
Snake: 9

From the mind of Clive Barker, Hellraiser is an incredible work of horror, introducing us to the cult icon Pinhead and providing some of the best body horror work in the business. I think the best thing about Hellraiser is how much of a background player Pinhead really is. The story here is really about Frank Cotton, who buys a mysterious puzzle box after having exhausted all the carnal pleasures of the material world. The film opens strongly with a top 5 body horror scene, as Frank is ripped apart by hooks and flesh chunks of his former self pepper the room as Pinhead makes his debut. Eventually, Frank's brother Larry moves into Frank's house with his wife Julia (who had an affair with Frank sometime before the film's events). Larry cuts himself, and his blood drips in the attic where Frank was ripped apart, triggering Frank's resurrection. Frank leverages his former affair with Julia, asking her to get him victims' blood to feed on so he can restore his former self. This is a great set-up that allows for some of the sickest parts of the film, and the make-up on Frank's various fleshy forms is well-done. Frank serves as the main antagonist of the film, while Julia's daughter Kirsty serves as the protagonist after walking in on one of Frank's feeding sessions. Kirsty manages to solve the box and strikes a deal with Pinhead (and some other excellently designed Cenobites I might add) to re-imprison Frank in exchange for her own freedom. I love the characterization of Pinhead in these scenes, Doug Bradley has such a quiet, disciplined way with the character that gives off a sense of longing and eternal pain while still being threatening and not someon to trifle with. Frank proves himself a true psychopath and perhaps even more villainous than Pinhead, as he kills Kirsty's father, puts on his skin, tries to sexually assault Kirsty (in her father's skin I might add), and even kills his fling Julia without a hint of remorse. Though the Cenobites would go on to break their deal, Kirsty has enough gusto and smarts to reverse-solve the puzzle box and send the demons back to where they came from. Hellraiser isn't really a slasher, and Kirsty isn't really a final girl, but the intent is similar and her motivation, intelligence, and determination are compelling and make her a strong protagonist.

Hellraiser received polarizing reviews upon its release, most famously described by Roger Ebert as a "bankruptcy of imagination". It's well-regarded now, and I don't think there's anything quite like it out there. It has great acting and even better character work, subtle when it needs to be but isn't afraid to shove the body horror right up in your face with the various forms of Frank and his feeding scenes. Hellraiser is absolutely essential horror viewing, and by the time it really gets going, it will have its "hooks" in you for sure!
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If the suspense doesn't kill you, something else will!
http://tinyurl.com/zqwzc9a - https://i.imgtc.com/3qwvxhc.jpg