This Iconic 1987 Slasher Had A Worthy Remake Nobody Saw (But You Should)

Hellraiser (1987) remains one of the most beloved and definitive slasher movies of the '80s, and that's largely due to the subject matter and how Pinhead, while the face of the series, wasn't the focus. But this was only the start of a series of monumental highs and lows that continue to push the franchise in new, strange directions.

But as the series reached its lowest point, a remake was released with Hellraiser (2022) that reinvented what we knew about these characters. It also gave us a worthy addition to the series that no one saw, even though it's easily up there with the original.

What Makes ‘Hellraiser’ (2022) a Standout in the Series?

Hellraiser (2022) follows a recovering addict dealing with family struggles between her and her brother because he's constantly worried she will relapse. This rift begins a chain of events that ends with a puzzle box in her hand that she accidentally solves, calling the Cenobites and condemning her brother to their torture.

The rest of the film is an effort for her to get her brother back and uncover the twisted conspiracy that brought her into the path of Pinhead and the Cenobites. But rather than adopt the same look, these Cenobites are even more grotesquely designed, with Pinhead as a particular standout.

What makes this film as worthy of watching as the original is that it honors what the franchise set up back in the '80s while also building on it. We learn more about the Cenobites and explore a world where the puzzle box is more than a box. It feels like equal parts a reboot, a remake, and even a sequel to the franchise.

This film focuses less on the gore and more on the themes Clive Barker introduced when he created this world. It's about the dangers of curiosity and how wanting to experience life's pain and pleasures is just as brutal as it sounds, and it's something the franchise lost sight of for years.

‘Hellraiser’ (2022) Is More Than a Remake

The original Hellraiser follows a man who escaped from the tortures of the Cenobites and the many murders his lover committed so he could regain his strength and continue to terrorize those around him. The Cenobites only came into the picture when the man's niece, Kirsty, found the puzzle box and called them, offering up his soul in place of hers.

Hellraiser (2022) only borrows the idea of a soul for a soul but tells a story that isn't about escaping what someone knows. Instead, it's a story about one man trying to learn more about the unknown and the consequences. The narrative of a sister finding her brother serves as the human component of the story, which the original Hellraiser didn't focus on nearly as much. 

This is a story about the importance of happiness with what we have and living with our consequences. The original film is more about people avoiding their consequences and giving in to primal desires. That change alone makes the 2022 film more than a remake because, at its core, the story and themes are totally different.

‘Hellraiser’ (2022) Is a Perfect Addition For Slasher Fans

Slasher fans don't need to have a great movie to add to their rotation. In fact, a series of great kills and a fun slasher are usually enough to make the grade, and that has made way for many less-than-stellar entries. But Hellraiser (2022) is one of the rare examples of a slasher film that's not only great for the list but has staying power because of its content.

There are some great death scenes, the Cenobites are malicious, and Pinhead has one of the best iterations of the series. When factoring in the supernatural aspect, it also adds this with some style. It doesn't feel forced, and it doesn't seem ridiculous to watch either. Unlike other films that came later in the series, this Hellraiser movie is genuinely scary.

Hellraiser (2022) may be categorized as a remake, but it's so much more than that, as it has great performances from the cast and changes and additions to the lore that feel fresh and interesting. More than that, it makes us care about the characters even when we know they all won't make it. Suddenly, the slasher film has real stakes, and it leads to an unsettling ending that will make you want more. But tragically, this was the only film in this iteration, even if it deserved so much more than it got.