‘Hellraiser’
Cinemarque Entertainment, 1987

starring: Ashley Laurence, Clare Higgins, Sean Chapman and Doug Bradley
written and directed by: Clive Barker

the plot: Frank Cotton (Chapman) unwittingly unleashes a trio of leather-clad demons from Hell when he solves the Lament Configuration, an ancient puzzle box that can open the door to the underworld. The demons carry him back to Hell, but somehow, Frank’s spirit escapes—and inhabits the new house purchased by his brother Larry and wife Julia (Higgins). When a drop of blood is spilled in the attic, Frank begins slowly to return from the dead. He enlists the aid of Julia, with whom he had had a torrid affair, and the pair begin surreptitiously murdering hapless victims in the attic, all in an effort to bring Frank back to life. Julia’s daughter Kristy (Laurence) discovers their secret—as well as the evil puzzle box—and accidentally alerts the demons of Frank’s whereabouts. Led by the cold and calculating Pinhead (Bradley)—whose moniker comes from the hundreds of sharp pins embedded in his face—the demons attack the family, hungry for blood, vengeance and souls.

why it’s good: “Hellraiser” is one of the more notable horror films to come out of the 1980s. It stood apart from the slasher films that glutted theaters at the time and was too gory and outlandish to be a traditional supernatural thriller. In between these subgenres, “Hellraiser” explored some of the ickier, more sexual aspects of horror. Though Barker’s original title for the film—“Sadomasochists From Beyond the Grave”—is worthy of an Ed Wood production, it’s an apt description. Pinhead and his fellow demons (known in the film as Cenobites) take, ahem, pains to let everyone know just how interested they are in pleasure, pain and the various implements that deliver both. The story is pretty standard, but the overall creepiness of the film, along with the gruesome effects and the ultra-disturbing look of the Cenobites, make “Hellraiser” a slightly above-average horror flick. “Hellraiser” is also notable for the small cult industry it spawned—action figures, T-shirts and more—as well as the seven sequels it generated.

why you should own it: Horror fans will undoubtedly want to check out “Hellraiser,” but they should rent before they buy it. Anchor Bay’s DVD features commentary by Barker and a making-of featurette.