Hellraiser [2022] – Hulu Review (3/5)

HELLRAISER on Hulu is the reimagining of Clive Barker’s iconic and brutal story. This time more elegant than gritty. The gorgeous visuals make way for brutal imagery, which should still feel familiar. Read our full Hellraiser 2022 movie review!

HELLRAISER is a new Hulu horror movie that is, of course, from a very famous horror franchise. Just like Halloween, Scream, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, etc., this horror franchise is now also getting an awakening for the next generation.

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Continue reading our Hellraiser 2022 movie review below. Watch it on Hulu from October 7, 2022.

A reimagining of Clive Barker’s iconic story

Hellraiser 2022 is more of a reimagining that the earlier mentioned horror franchises, which were “requels” (reboot/sequel hybrids). I’ve never been the biggest fan of Hellraiser simply due to the whole body mutilation element.

However, I do appreciate the very specific horror story from Clive Barker, which is different than the above-mentioned horror franchises in many notable ways. Also, the style which has become part of the horror cult Hall of Fame. To say the least.

With this 2022 version of the Clive Barker horror story, we’re moving away from latex and leather, but not from blood. Now, the cenobites are wearing their own flesh rather than actual clothes. Wait for the final scene, to see exactly how these outfits are fashioned.

I think die-hard fans of the original 1987 Hellraiser movie might feel like this is a “pretty version” of the story. To me, it’s just stylized differently and with a focus on physical pain in a different form – and less of an S&M [sadism and masochism] vibe.

Yes, it is absolutely queer

Now, before anybody starts crying woke and gets busy whining about there being a gay couple in Hellraiser 2022, it would do everyone well to remember that Clive Barker is an out and proud gay man. He’s even married to a man.

If anything, that just makes the 2022 version of Hellraiser even more appropriate. Also, Pinhead (AKA Hell Priest) is described as being virtually sexless after having gone through so very many body modifications. That’s why it makes perfect sense that Jamie Clayton plays this character.

Though Jamie Clayton (Sense8) is definitely far from being sexless, she is a trans actor, who – in the shape of the iconic Pinhead, called “The Priest” in this version – is hard to be gender specific about. In fact, in Hellraiser 2022, you could describe Pinhead/The Priest as “gender fluid”.

This, again, is perfect when looking at the origin story, “The Hellbound Heart”, of this horror franchise.

Doug Bradley, who played the original Pinhead, has also had nothing but praise for Jamie Clayton’s look in this movie. And it is really cool. You can’t tell that she’s even playing the character, except for when listening to her voice, which (although changed) is still strangely familiar.

Watch the 2022 Hellraiser on Hulu now!

David Bruckner is the director of Hellraiser (2022), which has had many directors attached during the past many years. A reboot or reimagining has been in the making for a very long time. Other attached directors include Pascal Laugier (Martyrs) and the filmmaker duo Maury and Bustillo.

Ultimately, the screen story came from David S. Goyer (who just developed The Sandman), Ben Collins, and Luke Piotrowski – with the latter two writing the actual screenplay. The two also wrote Stephanie and Super Dark Times, as well as The Night House (2021) which was directed by David Bruckner as well.

With David Bruckner (who also directed the brilliant The Ritual), we’re getting a reimagining that looks truly gorgeous. Maybe even too gorgeous to some. The aesthetics have no doubt changed away from the S&M vibe and towards a more brutal Martyrs reminiscent style.

Personally, I think it works. But then again, I never was the biggest fan of the original movie. And while I enjoyed watching this 2022 version, I’m still not the biggest fan of Hellraiser. In terms of Clive Barker stories, I enjoy Candyman (based on the short story “The Forbidden”) much more.

Hellraiser (2022) is out on Hulu from October 7, 2022.

Details

Director: David Bruckner
Writers: Ben Collins, Luke Piotrowski, David S. Goyer
Cast: Odessa A’zion, Jamie Clayton, Adam Faison, Drew Starkey, Brandon Flynn, Aoife Hinds, Goran Visnjic