Review of Hellraiser (2022) by Noobgotgud — 07 Oct 2022

How much you enjoy this movie depends entirely on your mindset going into it. Most of the negative reviews seem to revolve around the idea that this was a sanitized version of something that originally existed to be transgressive. That may be a fair criticism, in some sense but the very definition of what is transgressive is very, very different from what it was in the 80s. This film has a similar feel to the original, but the difference lies with us- we are no longer shocked like we were then by this kind of violence and gore. If anything, this movie is far more violent and gory that the original was.

It is an updated take on an 80s slasher with some inventive creature effects and some truly awesome practical effects overall. It's a savage, sadistic thrill that doesn't push any boundaries out and, frankly, doesn't seem to try to at all.

That slight disappointment, and a fairly basic story, are why I only gave this movie a 7. Don't go into this expecting anything revolutionary, and don't expect any great twists in the story. Go into it looking for it to be what it is- bloody, twisted fun. Final thought, the one that everyone wants to know I'm sure- Jamie Clayton is INCREDIBLE as pinhead. I had my doubts going into it, but her performance is suble, unsettling, menacing as all hell, and measures up very favorably to Doug Bradly.