In an era when the big horror franchises are in a constant state of reinvention, it makes sense that in the 11th “Hellraiser” film (Hulu), Pinhead is played by a transgender woman (Jamie Clayton takes over the role made iconic by Doug Bradley). (This film is simply called “Hellraiser,” as is the modern convention, but I’ll call it “H22” to avoid confusion with the 1987 original.)
This means either that Pinhead is now a transgender woman, or that this is a remake and Pinhead is female in this continuity. The promotional materials are unclear.
Puzzle Box mystery
What is clear is “H22’s” narrative, penned by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski. Even more so than the original trilogy – which sprang from a book by Clive Barker — “H22” crisply explains the rules of the Puzzle Box.
“Hellraiser” (2022)
Director: David Bruckner
Writers: Ben Collins, Luke Piotrowski (screenplay, story); David S. Goyer (story); Clive Barker (book)
Stars: Odessa A’zion, Jamie Clayton, Adam Faison
But what I really admire about director David Bruckner’s film is its style and characters, even outside the Cenobite mythology. Our main character is Riley, played by Odessa A’zion, whose publicity photos show a cute young actress. A’zion is decidedly dressed-down and grungy for this role, although she has a wonderfully old-school mop of curly hair.
I love the grounded nature of Riley’s situation as she struggles to pay rent and get off pills and booze. It’s standard cinematic stuff but lived-in thanks to A’zion’s performance. We also get to know boyfriend Trevor (Drew Starkey), a “pretty boy” who runs errands in the local black market; concerned brother Matt (Brandon Flynn); and Matt’s voice-of-reason boyfriend Colin (Adam Faison).
Dreamlike (or nightmare-like)
Now as for where this is all grounded, I don’t know. Maybe Boston, although no one has accents. “H22” is filmed in gorgeously rundown Serbia, one of those places that’s cheap to film in but gives great production value.
“H22” often backs scenes with the scores from the original and “Hellbound: Hellraiser II,” and I reveled in vistas of rain and darkness within this city that always sleeps. Few people are around except the characters in play.
This adds to the dreamlike quality of Riley and her friends being lured by the Cenobites as they learn the mythology from an old tome found in the mansion of previous Puzzle Box holder Voight (Goran Visnjic). The Box has various configurations; each one summons the Hell-beings. When a new configuration is achieved, the box’s dagger cuts an unfortunate someone; that person is then sucked into Hell.
The narrative nicely mixes Riley’s desire to find her brother with her increasing knowledge about the Box. Also in the background is Voight’s creepy payout from his devil’s bargain; he didn’t expect his idea of “pleasure” to be so different from that of the Cenobites (for which pain is pleasure).
Devilish choices
The final showdown at the mansion drags, but I like how the character beats for Voight and Riley land. She’s faced with two Sophie’s choices. Her decisions give the film an appropriately melancholy, resigned ending.
Voight’s situation is so horrific that at one point he requests death from Pinhead. I’m unclear about whether people can die once in Pinhead’s sway; certainly having most of your skin peeled off would be a terminal condition outside of Hell. I get the sense that Pinhead sometimes allows escape via death, but you’re at the mercy of her decision.
While the mythology is engaging, what put the original “Hellraiser” on the map was its practical gore effects. I’m unusual in that I don’t come to a “Hellraiser” picture for those effects. But I appreciate them and marvel at how Barker’s unique mind dreamed up this stuff of nightmares.
For viewers who are into this stuff, “H22” continues the tradition. The new Pinhead and her acolytes are punctured and mutilated in a variety of gross ways, fitting the Cenobite tradition.
There might be a batch of fans who find it sacrilegious to remake “Hellraiser” (if this is indeed a new timeline and not a soft in-timeline reboot), but I think “H22” will please casual fans. Even the uninitiated will find the mythology is quite thoroughly explained. Whether they desire to be initiated as a Cenobite is, of course, another matter.