Hellraiser (1987)

Stars	User	Rating
9	BillyShears	75 _65th
There’s some gross parts like when Andrew Robinson gets a smooch. Parental advisory for this on IMDb was a wild ride: “Man holds niece, likely liking the embrace for sexual reasons”. I know if I open this puzzle box I’m going to have my balls ripped off with hooks by stupid English sex demons but maybe, just maybe that won’t happen.
8	DavidBlast	80 _80th
Try as a you might, it is not possible to entirely hate a film that ends with a man suspended by meat hooks sunken into his flesh, high on some desperately bizarre s/m ecstasy, who, as his final words on this earth, before being dragged back to hell and torn apart - muscle by muscle - exclaims: "Jesus wept". Also, the Xenobites are pretty cool.
5	TonythePony	61 _33rd
You spend the entire movie waiting for Pinhead to show up and when he finally does barely figures. Also needed to better utilise Andrew Robinson's creep factor. Only character designs, nothing else.
5	Hawkins	53 _15th
Some women will do anything for good dick. Seriously though the cenobites are the terror of my childhood and Frank's reincarnation scene is one of the coolest moments ever. I just don't think the rest came together as a movie very well.
5	TimeCapsule	70 _65th
This Clive Barker original was one of those early horror movies I can remember seeing as a far-too-young-kid, and by seeing, I mean periodically peering through the cracks between my fingers with my hands over my eyes, which means by remember, I mean the horrific practical effects imagery and iconic Cenobites, but not so much of the story or characters. Sadly now after seeing the entire film, I'm not sure the movie actually comes all together beyond the imagery and a few interesting ideas.
4	eveelun	67 _35th
It's imaginative and grotesque, but the script and acting are very weak.
4	doctor7	67 _48th
It's an 80's horror flick with the addition of an absolutely warped and twisted alternate world. I don't think any horror film has ever done what Barker did with this movie here. Still it really feels unpolished but I'd say that's mostly due to being such a low budget film.
4	Ytadel	4 _43rd
Some amusing mythology in backstory of the Cenobites and Hellraiser box and all that and the creature design and practical effects are just tremendous here (the Pinhead design, iconic). I don’t find the movie itself to be that fun or scary though, with this zombie loser just hanging out in an attic the whole movie shuffling around and murdering nobodies, and the puzzle box shenanigans in the climax just get altogether goofy.
4	hellsditch	76 _41st
Lots of "ideas" in this one, which automatically gives it a leg up on just about every "classic '80s slasher" out there. Pretty fucking gross, too. I'm not much of a gore fan, but if glistening, bloody tendons is your thing, this thing will get you off, no problem. I'm selling it a short, though. As a guy who loves the goofy awfulness of many of the F13 and Elm Street sequels (excluding Dream Warrios and Jason Lives, which are legit great), it's refreshing to see a movie that's actually trying.
4	Leonardis	87 _55th
I’m glad it lived up to its reputation. This has a very original premise that’s well acted and even throws in a big surprise by making you root for a different character altogether by the time you get to the last act. It is very gruesome and probably a bit much to stomach at times, but I was constantly invested and yes, the cenobites looked very cool. Some of the effects have aged horribly, but it mostly looks pretty well polished. Great movie.
3	sophie	50 _27th
I expected something way better or scarier or at least something gorier but it kinda fails, maybe I've just seen too much (and much better) in other films, but it could not convince me. It has some good scenes, like the one with the monster (I won't say anything about the fx being old since I'm just as old myself ;)or as disgusting as it is, the scene with the hooks in the end, but overall, imo, not so much a horror movie must see before you die I doubt I'll watch the thousands of sequels..
3	Jeb	89 _76th
A very well done low budget horror flick. Has some wild and gorey scares.
3	INDYATMN	79 _54th
The familiar story & themes, centered around an unfaithful spouse & murder, have been done so many times in horror comics before (& usually in 4-6 pages), it's a surprise this is as watchable as it is & almost unbelievable that it spawned a franchise. Then again, by the mid-80's horror films had became so tiresome & synonomous with limited slasher tropes that Barker's return to monsters - & such vivid & unforgettably nightmarish monsters at that - is a welcome change of pace.
3	jodamico	72 _32nd
It doesn't come together for a million little reasons - Frank's ridiculous voice, the flat pacing, too much dialogue - but when it's on it's one of the better of the era. Needs to embrace the Fulci in its veins.
3	guy piranha	69 _61st
with the exception of ashley laurence this movie probably has the ugliest cast i have ever seen. no one has any charisma whatsoever, especially not the supposedly irresistible uncle frank. however, the idea is extremely cool, most of the effects still hold up pretty nicely and you can hardly count how many following horror movies are borrowing heavily from this classic.
3	ratedargh	80 _65th
Far better in concept than it is in execution. The first time I saw it, I was sucked in by the insane darkness to it all. Subsequently, the cracks in the armor start to show. The poor acting chief among them. The Frank character is so terribly realized when he should be a much more imposing presence. The Cenobite design is excellent, of course, which helps those brief moments they're present. The subtext about the true nature of the box is far more interesting than the plot reveals.
3	bof	82 _88th
Special effects aside, Hellraiser really holds up; the sheer idea of desire as a destructive but seductive force, the way Pinhead & Co only do their job, and the unrelenting way the movie sticks to it without falling into obvious clichés. It has such sights, and it shows us.
3	Paxton	86 _95th
Dark as hell, both figuratively and literally.
3	backwardsuit	79 _77th
It's all about fleshy unsubtlety. Mediocre storytelling but who cares with all that brilliant gore. Also the concept and story has enough meat to sustain it for 90 mins and I kinda like how the mythology stays unresolved and therefore threatening.
2	TripleSH	84 _77th
Truly unsettling with great effects, Hellraiser (before the countless sequels) carved out its niche in the horror world. This first installment stands alone as a pretty chilling look at the world of the Cenobites.
2	TheDenizen	75 _74th
A very cool and creepy horror flick packed with weirdness and gore. You don't even see the Cenobites until the last few minutes, which just makes them seem even cooler. Sadly, the sequels get progressively worse with every one. This is the only one really worth seeing.
2	caiman	75 _48th
An absolutely great premise and some cool set design, costumes and makeup. I also like how different the plot structure is from most horror films of this era. But I can't help but feel this movie has a lot of missed opportunities. It's just not as creepy as it could have been, despite the great ideas behind it. Entertaining and adeptly made, but just not subtle enough to be great.
2	nilkynarfy	75 _68th
It's all about the Everybody's Fucking at the Gay Disco in Hell aesthetic. The characters are all sort of meh, and the story is cheesy pseudorotic snm blah, but that aesthetic is fucking killer.
2	Mentaculus	88 _87th
One of the rare films that is gory and terrifying in equal measure. I think that's because as much thought went into the script (and subtext) as the practical effects. Unfortunately, both are forgotten during the absolutely unnecessary ending. It should have ended when "Jesus wept", which was brilliant.
2	jetjaguar	90 _75th
Clive Barker's much-needed kick to the horror genre's junk still holds up perfectly. It's unique, imaginative and original, three things that horror doesn't see enough. And before the central antagonist became a Freddy-like caricature, he was a creepily effective villain. Christopher Young's score is excellent.
2	d_drudges	30 _30th
Uninspired and stagnant on all accounts except monster design. The real villain of the movie is Clive Barker, with his henchmen promising the viewer unheard-of adventures yet leaving you watching a hellish bore.
2	Cinema_Asia	70 _56th
Bizarre adaptation of Clive Barker's books. It's standard horror stuff but it manages to be somewhat creepy and surreal. Pinhead is one of the more original characters to grace the horror genre. The "hell" as envisioned is also metaphysical and interesting.
2	hellboy76	66 _51st
Interesting visuals have made for an oft duplicated look and spawned a lot of terrible sequels.
2	thegreyfox	50 _20th
When classic horror films like "The Thing" and "Last house on the left" are being remade when they should be left well alone, why, oh why is this classic horror tale not being remade, when it so clearly SHOULD be?? The concept of this gory vision of hell on earth is excellent, and some of the effects are well done (not all by any means) but the terrible acting, which is cheesy beyond belief, ruin it and almost demand a decent remake in order to release the truly inventive and creative horror
2	KramYessev	71 _59th
Another of the horror classics, along with "Halloween" and "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", that I find to be overrated. Decent performances and atmosphere are spoilt by the pacing and the criminal lack of screen time given to the Cenobites. Still worth a watch for the phenomenal regeneration sequence and Doug Bradley being his usual godlike self.
2	SageSledge	30 _8th
A near-perfect concept aside, "Hellraiser" is a film that lives and dies by its own depravity, a senseless, repetitive slog that does very little with a host of now iconic visual creations, and even less with a core concept better suited to the page than the silver screen. It does have its strengths though, found mainly in its routinely competent Cinematography, but more often than not "Hellraiser" pointedly settles for relative mediocrity when it could've so easily been a game changer. Pass.
1	fudgieb	80 _42nd
Twisted. Don't ever let a child under the age of 13 watch this movie. Truly nightmarish stuff.
1	CCLZA	65 _40th
Very well done low budget horror movie, the designs of the Cenobites are awesome and the film manages to generate genuine suspense and terror.
1	PeaceAnarchy	72 _32nd
It's definitely creepy and disturbing. A little too much to be to my liking. But it's well made and has several compelling gimmicks that made me want to keep watching.
1	Suture Self	3 _25th
The entire time I'm watching this I'm sitting here thinking "Dude, you've got blood on your shirt."
1	MonsterGear	75 _42nd
Pretty wild stuff. Not the greatest movie ever, but I liked the crazy designs.
1	Anomaly	63 _34th
It eventually builds to an uncanny tone that isn't easily shaken off (mostly due to the fantastic earworm of a score), despite its frequent diversions into cheese. Focusing so much on the supernatural aspects was probably a mistake, as the humans here are easily much more a source of terror if they were developed more. Needed more coherency, too.
1	caffe	58 _47th
Supremely uncomfortable. That's a good thing.
1	Jarmann	82 _76th
It's camp and gay, but still a classic.
1	stepsideways	81 _31st
I've always thought the Hellraiser films could benefit from a bit of historical depth: maybe pushing the Cenobites' origin as far back as the Spanish Inquisition (clearly the inspiration for much of the production design). And would it have killed Barker to put an actual actor somewhere in here? But I enjoy the grossout beauty of it all, especially the hilarious punch line where Pinhead and crew destroy the incest taboo with barbs and grapples.
1	recklessmess	75 _57th
Why does he have all of those pins in his head? And why does drinking blood make Frank grow again? and why do the other baddies die so easily at the end?
1	Jack Boom	75 _42nd
Although low budget (as you will see with some special effects), this was a creepy and disturbing film intertwining sex and blood lust between two lovers and a puzzle box that literally kills and brings bad ass demons out of hell. Slow moving story but Pinhead and the cenobites make up for it, that character scares the living piss out of me, keep them hooks and chains to yourself man!
1	Optimus_mike	70 _48th
Good god do the demons scare the shit out of me.
1	eric-jan	70 _54th
Finally! A horror worth watching again! This movie is based on a great book and I enjoyed the story and even the acting (sometimes).
1	DustynDW	70 _12th
Effectively creepy in a few ways. The creature design is epic in this movie from Pinhead himself down to the regenerating corpse of "the room". There are still a few cliches and the movie can feel dated to younger generations but it is definitely worth a visit if you have the chance.
1	TheJoeMoore	85 _76th
Surreal and scary, it's fun to be scared by a movie as involved as this.
1	johnny geo	71 _63rd
one of my favorite scripts ever. it's basicaly a noir story, the typical outcast couple, the postman from hell always hits twice.
1	Halfang	90 _72nd
Oh, boy, this is a though one. Not "scary" in the sense of BOOO, but in the sense of what the hell is going on here. Very creepy, enervating, and disturbing in as many aspects as they make this film a worth watching. Especially if you've played Undying, or love terror and horror in general.
1	johnnydark	69 _15th
Classic horror. Some weird acting and some flaws of course, but every horror enthusiast should enjoy this one.
1	Lord Moe	76 _38th
"Hellraiser" is like a strange nightmare. The story is very creative and off the wall and combines aspects of pain and pleasure into one sadomasochistic journey through hell. The effects are really cool and the designs for the monsters, including the Cenobites, are very creative.
1	TrixRabbi	62 _17th
Last half hour's pretty good but damn does that first hour draaaag.
1	Eciel	75 _55th
The ideas and the special effects really make this movie. If you're looking for great acting, though, you'll be disappointed.
1	Trooth	82 _86th
Hellraiser deals with a level of gruesomeness that's unusual, even by horror movie standards. I love the special effects, particularly in the re-animation scenes. It's a little slow-going at times, and some moments at the end are really outlandish or even corny, but it's still a horror classic that you can't overlook.
1	comepelicula	85 _93rd
Horror is a very difficult genre and is often associated with the devil or some horror teenager cliché. But in this movie is not like that, it's done freshly, starting with a guy seeking extreme sexual experiences with beings of beyond... "Angels for some demons to others" he becomes some kind of monster who has to manipulate people to become whole again. The story is great, the monsters designs are fantastic and the pacing is good, only two things missing: good actors and special effects
1	DesertPunk	62 _32nd
You know the tobacco lobby has clout when a skinless Hell zombie takes the time to smoke a cig before exposition. It must be hard hiding from Cenobites when you've got the 'baccy shakes.
1	sopachuco13	80 _62nd
Hellraiser is a classic 80's horror movie. The Cenobites are some of the coolest and scariest horror movie characters to have come out of that rich decade. The character played by Higgins, the step-mother, seemed normal, maybe a little bitchy, at first. Soon she becomes a monster in an attempt to bring back her former-lover, her husband's brother, from the dead. Laurence is very pretty and that really all that this movie needed out of her luckily. There is a reason this spawned so many sequels.
1	Groovy_Souls	90 _90th
Hellraiser is just plain awesome. Definitely one of my favorite new horror films. Incredibly inventive and put together with an awesome presmise, Clive Barker delivers one of the most unforgettable films of any genre. Cheesy, yet truly scary, Hellraiser is on the same level as Raimi's Evil Dead.
1	Yiannos	73 _77th
Original horror film that is driven as much by ideas as it is by gore, Barker's directorial debut presents viewers with an undeniably unique, nightmarish world of pleasure stretched to its extreme outer limits. Barker's inexperience behind the camera is clearly evident, especially in the amateurish performances and the occasional awkward staging of dramatic scenes, but when the full power of his vivid imagination is wholly unleashed, the results are spectacularly disturbing and memorable.

Average Percentile 49.39% from 3311 Ratings