With time quickly passing until its October 7th release, streaming service Hulu has finally released its first trailer for its new “Hellraiser” reimagining starring Goran Visnjic and Jamie Clayton. The word reimagining is a better word than reboot here, as “Hellraiser’s” story—based on the novella “The Hellhound Heart” by Clive Barker—has received much twisting and turning since the first film. Pinhead (mostly played by Doug Bradley) became the de facto force of the films. However, in reality the beings Pinhead represented, the Cenobites, were only a small part of a story marked by sex, lust, desire, pain, and sadistic pleasure.
Going back to basics might be just what this story needs. Some things that might align more with “The Hellhound Heart” is more of a focus on the mystery of the macabre puzzle box (officially named Lament’s Configuration or LeMarchand’s Configuration), and less on whipping chains and gory dismemberment. Also needed for Barker fans would be more of a focus on some of the sensory tortures the box’s openers endure, while also keeping the ‘hell’ these being hail from more cloaked in secrecy. It could also gain a lot just from the representation of the Cenobites. In Barker’s works they appeared more as a mutual agreement with the puzzle solver, less typical slashers, which they ultimately became.
The Story
Per IMDb, the “Hellraiser” story is as follows: “In this reimagining of Clive Barker’s seminal “Hellraiser” franchise, a young woman must confront the sadistic, supernatural forces behind an enigmatic puzzle box responsible for her brother’s disappearance.”
And, as much, this is what the trailer shows. We see a man (Visnjic) enticing a young man to solve the puzzle box, and he supposedly then disappears. The rest of the trailer then sees the man’s sister coming into contact with the puzzle box and trying to figure out what happened to him. We then see images of several of the film’s Cenobites, led still by Pinhead, this time played by Jamie Clayton. The trailer wisely cloaks them in shadows, and we don’t see them that often. Pinhead’s ‘voice’ seems muted and synthesized for effect, making it seem otherworldly, which I liked.
Are all the elements in place for a successful film? It’s a good question. We’ve seen what Hulu has done with its horror treatment of the “Predator” franchise with “Prey,” which fared great critically and moderately well with audiences. And it seems—besides the expected online transphobia and accusations of “wokeness” from non-Barker fans who have no intention of seeing this movie—the representation of Pinhead and the Cenobites is being talked of favorably. “Hellraiser” could, if done right, be more true to Barker’s original intent—or it could drop the ball and be a letdown. Only time will tell.
The Trailer
You can watch the trailer in the box below, or click to watch on YouTube. Follow The Movie Buff for a full review of the film upon release, part of our annual 31 Days of Halloween.
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