What’s your pleasure? The Cenobites make their bloody return in “Hellraiser.” Described as a “reimagining” of Clive Barker’s classic film, this update stays true to its roots while presenting a new take on its revered source material. And the film’s recent R rating puts to rest any fears that the new project will shy away from what made the original so compelling. Seeing “strong bloody horror violence and gore, language throughout, some sexual content and brief graphic nudity” is enough to delight fans in search of another hellish journey.
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Taking over for actor Doug Bradley — who helped make Pinhead a horror icon — is Jamie Clayton. The “Sense8” actress offers a feminine perspective that’s sure to build on the already impressive franchise lore. Early glimpses of Clayton in character suggest a Pinhead that’s every bit as brutal and riveting, but also a totally new incarnation. The cast also features Odessa A’zion, Adam Faison, Drew Starkey, Brandon Flynn, Aoife Hinds, Jason Liles, Yinka Olorunnife, Selina Lo, Zachary Hing, Kit Clarke, with Goran Visnjic and Hiam Abbass.
This new chapter in the Hellraiser universe hails from filmmaker David Bruckner. His recent horror entry, “The Night House,” won praise but the director’s genre work extends well past that film. Bruckner helmed a segment in the original “V/H/S” as well as two segments of Shudder’s “Creepshow” series. A self-described Barker fan himself, he’s in sync with franchise fans’ concerns. “I share the enthusiasm of any “Hellraiser” fans who feel like there’s really no recreating the original film,” he told The Playlist in 2021, “but, you know, we would all like to open the box again, and look into that universe.”
Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
In the all-new “Hellraiser,” 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.
Hell comes to Earth once again in “Hellraiser.” The film premieres on Hulu on October 7. Get your first look at the movie in the trailer below.
