Greetings all my witches, warlocks, zombies, and fellow vampires, I am Josh your host and guide this evening or morning or afternoon depending on what time you are reading this.
Horror Hangouts is just what it sounds like, a place where everyone is welcomed to hangout and explore your love of horror. Consider this a quaint bar and grille with a menu full of your favorites and everyone knows your name.
I not only celebrate my love of horror but celebrate why I love horror. So please have a seat wherever you like. The journey is about to begin.
Hellraiser 1987
The other night I went to my local theater to see the original Hellraiser. Now I have seen Hellraiser several times on the small screen at home. The first of which was back in 1988 when I rented it on VHS at the local video rental store. But this was the first time, seeing it on the big screen.
It was quite the event and brought me back to my teenage years when I had saw Hellbound Hellraiser 2 in the theaters as I did Hellraisers 3 and 4.
While watching the movie I was filled with feelings of excitement and thrills. As Hellraiser is my favorite horror movie and have always considered it a classic. What is it about this movie that gets such a reaction from me? Especially now seeing it in the theater as opposed to at home on my television.
Hellraiser from 1987 was written and directed by Clive Barker and was adapted from Clive’s novella, The Hellbound Heart. The story centers around a mysterious puzzle box that when solved will open a gateway to the pleasures and pain of Heaven and Hell. Those experiences are administrated by the Cenobites, a group of leather clad demons who are also referred to as the Order of the Gash in the novella. The lead Cenobite who would later be known as Pinhead, played brilliantly by Doug Bradley, is a stoic and general-like figure and has become a true iconic horror figure alongside other horror villains of the 1980’s; Freddy, Jason and Michael Myers.
But Hellraiser , which often gets lumped in the slasher movies of the Eighties , is much different and unique. It is not just some pinheaded demon going around killing people. In fact, the Cenobites are not even really the main villains of this story. They are just merely judges who simply enforce the rules for opening the box. The real villains of the story are Frank and Julia, both of whom represent the evils of humanity and the dangers of allowing our desires and indulgences rule our behavior.
There are several reasons why this movie is my favorite. For starters when I first watched this film, I learned that horror could be something else. Horror didn’t just have to be vampires living in a castle or a masked killer murdering teenagers one by one. Though I love those types of horror stories and Hellraiser does have gothic and slasher elements to it. But I learned that horror could be introspective and nuanced as well, incorporating psychological, with supernatural elements. Horror could be both grotesque and artistic at the same time much like Argento’s Suspiria.
There is of course the obvious; the gruesome practical effects and the design of the Cenobites.Also, the human drama aspect of the movie is a viscous love triangle or perhaps lust triangle that develops around Julia , her good natured but oblivious husband Larry and his depraved and degenerate brother, Frank.
There is of course the fairy tale aspect of the story of Julia being the wicked step-mother, while Kirsty(Larry’s daughter) being Cinderella.
Speaking of Kirsty, we have an excellent final girl. On the surface she checks all the boxes; pretty, strong, fearless and smart. But not quite like the typical final girl tropes of the Eighties. You know the shy, insecure, nerdy virgin. Instead, we get a more street smart character who isn’t necessarily a virgin but still has a certain nobility about her. That being her love for her father, which does almost lead to her undoing when Frank is in her father’s skin. Fortunately despite any mistakes she might make, Kirsty shows her resilience in thinking on her feet which we see as she bargains her life in exchange for Frank’s with the Cenobites. Some might say she doesn’t have much of a character arc in this movie, but that arc comes full circle in the sequel.
Other reasons why I adore this movie so much is the tone and atmosphere of the movie. From start to finish there is this disturbing dread that hides behind the corner in every scene. We sense that something is off, and something is not quite right. Lurking in the shadows is something beyond our own comprehension. The old dingy house where the majority of the story takes place was a perfect setting for this disturbing and dreary movie. The atmosphere of course is enhanced by the symphonic music score by Christopher Young.
Next, it’s just a well written story, well directed by Barker who was a first-time director. I appreciate the adult themes of the story along with the seedy sexual tension that it offers. The performances by the main cast are excellent across the board, Andrew Robinson as Larry, then later as Frank in Larry’s skin, Claire Higgins as Julia, Ashley Laurence as Kirsty, Sean Chapman as Frank, Oliver Miller as Frank the monster and of course the Cenobites; Doug Bradley as Pinhead aka the lead cenobite, Grace Kirby as the female cenobite, Nicholas Vince as Chatterer and Simon Bamford as Butterball.
Finally, this movie somehow managed to pull me into it’s universe. I can’t explain how but throughout the movie I felt I was in this world even if as a fly on the wall. The book had the same effect on me. Only a handful of movies have been able to pull me into their world and Hellraiser is one of them. It is no surprise that those handful of movies have managed to be my very favorites.
Despite a few flaws of the movie, Hellraiser still gets a 10/10 for me
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