It’s been 25 years since Hellraiser scared a generation of horror fans and Pinhead was introduced to the world. And this week, the story is coming back with some updates. No, the story isn’t completely different, it’s still the creepy game box that will send people to be tortured by demons, but it’s been reimagined for a new generation.
Despite the fact the story is just a retelling of an older story, the new version of Hellraiser attempts to keep it timeless. Yes, the film quality is better, it still is a rather dark film, however, but there are not things or items that will date it completely or age it as technology advances. It’s clearly in a time frame where cell phones and technology rule our lives, but the characters don’t rely on them to save the day. This isn’t just taking an old story and updating it to make it fit better with today’s narrative. It thankfully doesn’t fall into that trap, which would end up making the movie feel older quicker since you can always date a movie or film by the technology being used in it.
This version of Hellraiser also doesn’t fall into the trap that you have to have seen the original movies to enjoy this one. Instead, it starts off as its own franchise. While the characters (at least bad guys) are the same, the premise is similar to the original films, and there may be nods to them, you can tune in and watch this movie to enjoy it without worrying about missing details or having to know what is going on. It’s a clear start, one that will grab your attention and make you jump through the scary parts. It’s absolutely worthy of a scary movie night and a movie that fans will like even if it’s their first time watching the story or if they’re fans of the original.
Although Hellraiser is being released on Hulu, it doesn’t have a made-for-streaming or made-for-TV feel. And even if you’re not really a horror fan, Hellraiser will keep your interest. Sure, there are gross gory parts, jump scares and even some parts that lean on the absurd, but the story seems to hold up. With the lack of a specific location, or trying to update the movie with technology, it seems like the story can live on scaring a new generation of fans and possibly relaunching the series.
Hellraiser will be streaming on Hulu this Friday, in time for your next scary movie night.
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About Hellraiser:
A reimagining of Clive Barker’s 1987 horror classic from director David Bruckner in which a young woman struggling with addiction comes into possession of an ancient puzzle box, unaware that its purpose is to summon the Cenobites, a group of sadistic supernatural beings from another dimension.
A Hulu Original in association with Spyglass Media Group, “Hellraiser” stars Odessa A’zion, Jamie Clayton, Adam Faison, Drew Starkey, Brandon Flynn, Aoife Hinds, Jason Liles, Yinka Olorunnife, Selina Lo, Zachary Hing, Kit Clarke with Goran Visnjic and Hiam Abbass. The film is directed by David Bruckner from a screenplay by Ben Collins & Luke Piotrowski and screen story by David S. Goyer and Ben Collins & Luke Piotrowski. The film’s producers are David S. Goyer, Keith Levine, Clive Barker and Marc Toberoff; executive producers are Gary Barber, Peter Oillataguerre and Todd Williams. Chris Stone and Gracie Wheelan serve as co-producers.
