HELLRAISER (2022)

 

Directed By: David Bruckner  Written By: Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski Story By: Ben Collins, Luke Piotrowski and David S. Goyer  Based On The Book By: Clive Barker Cinematography: Eli Born  Editor: David Marks 

Cast: Odessa A’Zion, Jamie Clayton, Adam Faison, Drew Starkey, Brandon Flynn, Goran Visnijc, Hiam Abbass 

A take on Clive Barker's 1987 horror classic where 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.

The film is perfectly fine as a kind of reboot or sequel to the original series of films and certainly better than the more recent sequels. Though in certain ways it fails. 

Not entirely it’s own fault. As the film for all the gore and new directions. It plays strictly modern and is hard to be as shocking or as disgusting as the original two films.

Those films were not only shocking but identifiable as at heart the story was a kind of pulp story with otherworldly elements. That seemed to bathe in the cruelty of the aspects. While showing a story of obsession and manipulation. Where truly the only innocent character survived. 

Then through it all the special effects were revolutionary and revolting so much that you could feel the pain or wince as to what it was like. Sort of like when men hear stories of anything happening to genitals. 

Here the film tries not so much as the original did, but is left with something that while violent feels typical and if this franchise needs updating they seem to be going in the right way. As they need a balance of lore, story, gore, and effects that balance each other out. As to not seem too exploitive which then has the film feeling lopsided.

Here the film is serviceable enough with the main character with a past and makes the storyline convoluted more than it needs to be. Seeming to want to have a detective story, but in the end little mystery and while cruel bit cruel enough. 

Jamie Clayton makes an interesting new pinhead. Though the chest design make-up in certain lighting reveals itself to be more of a made up than organic. Though that is a nitpick, she and the cenobite designs are on point.

What also hurts the film which is common in general is that we don’t care much for these characters. As they barely make their presence felt. The lead is ok because we spend the most time with her. When she loses her brother that is the only time the film seems to touch on something that approaches an actual emotion and is believable. The other characters you try to but could care less. Especially her boyfriend.

Give the film a try, but don’t expect to be blown away. As this is Hellraiser for a new generation but definitely won't over-shine the original. Even today still feels shocking.

Grade: C+