Review of Hellraiser (2022) by Hellholehorror — 23 Oct 2022

I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed this film. The characters are interesting and memorable, the story interesting and engaging. It adds to the lore of the series and compliments the originals.

Acting and directing is excellent. Sound design is beyond excellent, cinematography is great. This has to be the best remake/reboot/requel over! I’m surprised that Hellraiser hasn’t had one before, especially consider that Halloween (1978) and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) have 3 each so far (Halloween (2007), Halloween (2018), Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), Texas Chainsaw (2013)).

And they are all worse than this Hellraiser reboot/remake/requel. Much as I really enjoyed this film there are some slight disappointments. It is not as good as the first two in the franchise, Hellraiser (1987) and Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) are truly excellent so this had a high bar to beat.

This one is entirely set on earth, we don’t get to see much of the other dimension that the creatures come from. It is not as horrific or graphic as the original and its sequel. The Cenobites don’t seem as powerful or intimidating as the previous ones.

This is really good and engaging, it is the third best Hellraiser film.