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Hellraiser
1987 93 min United Kingdom, United States of America R 18+
★6.8
Horror, Thriller
Director: Clive Barker
🎭 Based on
«The Hellbound Heart»
byClive Barker
Trailers
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EN
EN
Teaser
EN
EN
Description
A hedonistic man finds a mysterious puzzle box that summons a group of gruesome beings known as the Cenobites. These otherworldly entities open the doors to a dominion where pain and pleasure are indivisible.
Budget:
$1M
US Gross:
$14.56M
Worldwide:
$14.58M
Starring
Andrew Robinson
Actor
Clare Higgins
Actor
Ashley Laurence
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1988
— Best Horror Film
Saturn Awards 1988
— Best Original Score
Saturn Awards 1988
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Key opinion
Clive Barker's 1987 directorial debut is widely regarded as a genre-defining cult classic that stands apart from typical slasher tropes through its unique mythology and dark, philosophical tone. While some viewers criticize the dated practical effects and uneven performances, the film is consistently praised for its striking visual design and the iconic presence of Pinhead.
| Acting | Doug Bradley's portrayal of the Lead Cenobite, combined with the film's distinct makeup and creature designs, creates an iconic and enduring horror antagonist. | |
| Originality | The film successfully replaces conventional portrayals of hell with a more original, claustrophobic, and Gnostic-inspired vision of suffering. | |
| Score | Christopher Young’s score effectively complements the film's intense, atmospheric, and unsettling tone. | |
| Production | The practical effects evoke nostalgia and maintain a certain charm, though their dated quality occasionally diminishes the intended visceral impact. | |
| Pacing | The narrative balance is debated: some find the film’s pacing taut and atmospheric, while others perceive it as meandering or lacking logical momentum. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the lead performances are split; while some find the casting of Ashley Lawrence and others effective and central to the tension, many critics dismiss the acting as weak or generic. |