Hellraiser

1987, Horror, 1h 33m

50 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Elevated by writer-director Clive Barker's fiendishly unique vision, Hellraiser offers a disquieting - and sadistically smart - alternative to mindless gore. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Sexual deviant Frank (Sean Chapman) inadvertently opens a portal to hell when he tinkers with a box he bought while abroad. The act unleashes gruesome beings called Cenobites, who tear Frank's body apart. When Frank's brother (Andrew Robinson) and his wife, Julia (Clare Higgins), move into Frank's old house, they accidentally bring what is left of Frank back to life. Frank then convinces Julia, his one-time lover, to lure men back to the house so he can use their blood to reconstruct himself.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Horror
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Clive Barker
  • Producer:
    Christopher Figg
  • Writer:
    Clive Barker
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $13.3M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    New World Pictures, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Image Entertainment Inc.
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby Stereo
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Andrew Robinson
Larry Cotton
Clare Higgins
Julia Cotton
Ashley Laurence
Kirsty Cotton
Sean Chapman
Frank Cotton
Oliver Smith
Frank the Monster
Robert Hines
Steve
Kenneth Nelson
Bill
Gay Baynes
Evelyn
Clive Barker
Director
Clive Barker
Writer
Mark Armstrong
Executive Producer
David Saunders
Executive Producer
Christopher Webster
Executive Producer
Christopher Figg
Producer
Christopher Young
Original Music
Robin Vidgeon
Cinematography
Richard Marden
Film Editing
Tony Randel
Film Editing
Sheila Trezise
Casting
Michael Buchanan
Production Design
Jocelyn James
Art Director
Joanna Johnston
Costume Design
Jane Wildgoose
Costume Design
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Hellraiser

All Critics (50) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (14)
Full Review… Ryan Murphy Miami Herald Full Review… Chris Stuckmann ChrisStuckmann.com Full Review… William Thomas Empire Magazine Full Review… Bob McCabe Empire Magazine Full Review… Peter Bradshaw Guardian Full Review… Eric Henderson Slant Magazine Full Review… Roger Hurlburt South Florida Sun-Sentinel Full Review… Tony Black Cultural Conversation Full Review… Chris Plante Polygon Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… Ángel Fernández-Santos El Pais (Spain) Full Review… Matt Brunson Film Frenzy
View All Critic Reviews (50)

Audience Reviews for Hellraiser

  • Oct 25, 2013
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Nov 30, 2012
    Barker has a clear vision but the story was a little all over the place for me. I can see the draw for the fans but for others, it just can't hold the story or horror together. I clearly didn't hate it and applaud the vision.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Oct 12, 2012
    Another 80s horror classic ruined by many half-assed sequels. "Hellraiser" has an excellent concept and offers plenty of gore. Everything from the atmosphere, script, and characters are great. The story is disturbing and unpredictable. Some of the special-effects are cheesy but that is not surprising considering the time the film was made. If only Clive Barker could have directed some of the sequels.
    Eric S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 24, 2011
    The demons look very interesting, but that's about where the entertainment ends. It's essentially just a pretty boring B-movie.
    Joey S Super Reviewer
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