80s Movie Review - Hellraiser

Director: Clive Barker
Genre: Horror/ Fantasy
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 1987
Starring: Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashely Laurence, Sean Chapman, Oliver Smith, Robert Hines, Anthony Allen, Leon Davis, Michael Cassidy, Frank Baker, Kenneth Nelson, Gay Baynes, Niall Buggy, Dave Atkins, Oliver Parker, Doug Bradley

Description: A woman (Clare Higgins) discovers the newly resurrected, partially formed, body of her brother-in-law. She starts killing for him to revitalize his body so he can escape the demonic beings that are pursuing him after he escaped their sadistic underworld.

Review: Larry and Julia have moved into a new home. He is a dull guy, who believes in the goodness of his wife. However, she is an adulterer who once had a relationship with Frank, Larry’s brother. When Larry injures himself during the move, some blood falls on the wooden floor. This brings Frank back, but his body is only partially resurrected. He once bought a magic cube, which opened the gates to hell. The so-called Cenobites, demons from hell, exit from it and they tortured Frank to death. Blood sacrifices will make Frank human again and Julia is supposed to bring him victims.
When Larry’s daughter Kirsty finds the cube and takes it with her, she also opens the gates to hell. Pinhead and his friends now want to torture her too but because she knows Frank’s soul is trying to escape Pinhead, they make a deal. But you really shouldn’t trust a Cenobite.
“Hellraiser” is known as one of the better horror movies out there. At least for true horror fans. And I understand why. The tension build-up is good, no clichés. The story starts quite calm, but us taken a step further and further, until the gates to hell are opened. Also the somewhat campy, yet dark atmosphere contributes to an oh so pleasant viewing experience. The Cenobites are creatures from nightmares, and Pinhead isn’t even the scariest of them.  
The film has some blood and gore in it, but it never overpowers. The acting isn’t great, but it’s nowhere a point of annoyance. Ever horror fan should see “Hellraiser” at least once in their life.

Rating: 3,5 / 5