(dir. Clive Barker )
Hellraiser is a truly impressive and
horrifying directorial debut from Clive Barker. Based on Barker’s novella, The Hellbound Heart, the film centers on
Frank Cotton, a sadomasochist whose search for the absolute in pleasure and
pain lead him to a mysterious puzzle box. The box sends Frank, and later his
family, into a terrifying and painful confrontation with the Cenobites, “demons
to some, angels to others.” Hellrasier’s
wildly imaginative exploration of the sublime sets it apart from its horror
contemporaries.
Even
decades later the effects hold up incredibly well, well enough to still cause near
unrelenting queasiness. Hellraiser
rivals David Cronenberg’s The Fly and
John Carpenter’s The Thing with some
of the best practical horror effects I’ve seen, though I think Barker’s film lacks the same level of re-watchability. While the film is incredibly gory, the unique
set and character designs separate it from being just another splatter flick. Beyond
its graphic nature, there is a clear artistry to the film. While the characters
lack depth, there is quite a lot of plot which ensures that the film never
feels dull or like it’s relying too heavily on one thing.
Scare Factor: 5/5 With this film, Barker operates on
a level beyond basic jumps scares and light tricks, and instead creates a weightier
horror that isn’t what I’d call fun, but memorably effective. Hellraiser
is one of the best the genre has to offer, there’s really nothing like it.
**Available to watch on Netflix Instant
No comments:
Post a Comment