Hellraiser

After four theatrical and six direct-to-video releases “Hellraiser” has been given a reboot as a cinematic release for Hulu. For those not familiar with the series based on a story by Clive Barker, it involves a cube-shaped puzzle box that when opened summons demons known as Cenobites who demand sacrifices and promise great rewards to those who summon them. Naturally, their version of rewards is the stuff of nightmares as the line between pleasure and pain for them is even more distorted than their horrific visages leading those who encounter them to plead for death but often face tortures…

Yes, Hellraiser has had a Disney make over and it shows. I like Clive Barkers work. I've read a lot of his novels and I remember the original Hellraiser films. Frankly, this film does not feel like an adaptation, of his work. For a start, its predictably woke, no surprises there, right? Its cardinal sin however, is dumbing down the lore found in the original franchise and applying the little that is left, in an inconsistent and at times incoherent, manner. The results a borderline watchable affair. Its pretty tame compared to the original flicks and for me, failed to resonate. Acting is…

Not a bad movie... but not a decent movie either. It's not as entertaining as most of the Hellraiser sequels to date. It's predictable, in no way suspenseful and much of it makes little to no sense. It has nothing in common with the other Hellraiser movies and nothing in common with 'The Hellbound Heart' which is the Clive Barker novel that Hellraiser is based on. The original Hellraiser movie was very true to the book and is still by far the best Hellraiser movie with the most suspense, horror and entertainment value. I'm sure we'll see more Hellraiser movies... and I'm sure they will all…

It's pretty woke and I enjoyed it. I swear, how did we go from discussing and critiquing the plot of a movie and the acting and the script and the sets, to opening criticism with the line "it's pretty woke". At least the bigots can't help but out themselves constantly nowadays.