Review of Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992) by James C — 10 Mar 2014

This is my favorite of the three first movies, but probably for the wrong reasons. As I can see, people are divided as to whether this was a good or a bad addition to the Hellraiser serie. Some say that it betrays the spirit of the Hellraiser serie, others say that it is a good movie in itself.

Of course, the Cenobites and the general feeling of this movie are different from the previous two, but I wouldn't say that this change automatically flushed the concept down the sewers of bad horror movies.

There is some well-placed continuity, good ideas (the pillar of pain, for instance), some interesting character development, and a not-so-bad attempt at deep psychology (for an horror movie, that is).

However, it is true that the mystery behind the Cenobites, their world and their (highly shocking) responses to hedonist individuals are lost in this one. It is also true that Hellraiser 3 is closer to other mainstream horror movies.