Barker's vision cribs equally from the mythos of vampires and zombies, but Hellraiser's overriding ridiculousness (and nagging budgetary shortcomings) can't disguise the fact that the movie is at least unwittingly a product of the AIDS crisis.
Hellraiser (1987)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 29
Fresh: 18
Rotten:11
Average Rating: 5.9/10
Runtime: 3 hrs 12 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: Clive Barker's feature directing debut graphically depicts the tale of a man and wife who move into an old house and discover a hideous creature--the man's half-brother, who is also the woman's... Clive Barker's feature directing debut graphically depicts the tale of a man and wife who move into an old house and discover a hideous creature--the man's half-brother, who is also the woman's former lover--hiding upstairs. Having lost his earthly body to a trio of S&M demons called the Cenobites, he is brought back into existence by a drop of blood on the floor. He soon forces his former mistress to bring him human sacrifices to complete his body... but the Cenobites won't be happy about this. One of the best horror films of the 1980s, HELLRAISER is based on Barker's novel THE HELLBOUND HEART and was followed by three sequels. [More]
Starring: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Sean Chapman
Starring: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Sean Chapman, Doug Bradley, Grace Kirby, Simon Bamford
Director: Clive Barker
Director: Clive Barker
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Reviews for Hellraiser
Minor grisly fun, but don't expect the movie to linger when it's over.
[Writer/Director Clive] Barker's dazzling debut as a director creates such an atmosphere of dread that the astonishing visual set pieces simply detonate in a chain reaction of cumulative intensity.
A maquiagem é interessante, mas o roteiro é ridículo; as atuações, risíveis; a direção, medíocre; e os efeitos visuais, datados.
Impressive debut film from Barker, though not quite the breakthrough film it was touted as being.
Twisted and grotesque, but merely baby-steps compared with Hellbound: Hellraiser II.
Barker onscreen has never been better, and this movie probably did more to bring sadomasochism into the mainstream than anything before or since.
Latest News for Hellraiser
October 29, 2008:
Pascal Laugier Circles Hellraiser Redo ![]()
Dimension's "re-imagining" of "Hellraiser" appears to be back on track, with "Martyrs" helmer Pascal Laugier in final negotiations to write and direct. More...
April 08, 2008:
Hellraiser Remake Seeks New Director
Interested in directing a Hellraiser remake? This might be your chance. More...
February 19, 2008:
Weinsteins' Hellraiser Remake Has Its Writers
Hollywood's never-ending remake party had to take a brief hiatus during the writers' strike, but now that the lights are back on in Tinseltown, studios are moving forward with... More...
October 16, 2007:
Barker's Hellraiser Remake Adds Writers, Directors
If the 1987 original and its seven -- yes seven -- sequels weren't enough for you, good news: Clive Barker and Dimension Films are bringing Hellraiser back to the big screen. More...
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