A year after its release in the United States, the remake of “Hellraiser”, directed by David Bruckner, is finally available in France on the Paramount+ platform. What do you think of this new film? Verdict.
After months without news, we were almost starting to lose hope. But everything comes in time to those who wait. Available since October 2022 in the United States, the remake of Hellraiser, by David Bruckner (The Ritual, The Prey of a Shadow), is now visible on the Paramount+ platform. This new film arrives more than 35 years after the original by Clive Barker which, in 1987, marked the world of horror with a real UFO.
The contemporary version is more akin to a reboot than a simple remake – understand: we erase and start everything again. The story follows Riley, a young woman in the midst of withdrawal who, following the mysterious disappearance of her brother, is drawn into a hallucinatory nightmare after the discovery of a strange puzzle. Once the game starts, a door to Hell is opened.
This new generation Hellraiser departs somewhat from the first part by reducing its allusions to extreme sexual practices. Because yes, Clive Barker’s film was above all about sadomasochism. Pain and pleasure were one. Here, the approach is different: less perversity and charm. The setting is colder, as is the horror. The plot this time takes the form of a slasher, it’s surprising, but the result remains no less satisfying.
A VERY DIFFERENT PINHEAD
And what about Pinhead and his Cenobites? The monster with the white, studded face is, for the first time, played by a woman, transgender actress Jamie Clayton (Sense8). This is definitely the best idea in the film. This new Pinhead has swapped his latex costume for a much more elaborate design.
Photo published by artist Jaremy Aiello, who designed Pinhead:
On set, four hours of preparation were necessary for the actress to transform into the monster. To remove the costume, this time was reduced to 45 minutes. On screen, the makeup work is fascinating. Like the Cenobites, much less disgusting than in the original. This time, they are almost beautiful, with ever more astonishing shapes.
While the first Hellraiser was limited to a closed door, David Bruckner’s film is more ambitious, oriented more towards the big spectacle – with, in particular, a last act in a rather enjoyable mansion. Fans of Clive Barker will be disappointed not to find what made the original unique, but this new Hellraiser keeps its promises for those who came looking for successful entertainment.
Hellraiser is available on Paramount+.