Hellraiser

Kirsty: "Who are you?"
Lead Cenobite: "Explorers in the further reaches of experience...demons to some, angels to others."

release year: 1987
genre: horror
viewing setting: home DVD 4/1/23

synopsis: A family becomes involved with a strange puzzle box which can summon otherworldly beings that inflict pain and suffering.

impressions: I hadn't seen this since the 1990s, but had vague memories of it. They were still accurate. This magical metal box, when manipulated properly, brings what are basically demons who like to sink hooks and needles into people and tear them apart. Someone had done this in the past, yet somehow escaped and found a way (a bloody one) to reform his body. His brother, the brother's daughter, and the brother's nasty wife all become caught up in the chaos that follows. It's gory and has some interesting concepts.

acting: Andrew Robinson is the often-clueless well-meaning father. Clare Higgins is his new wife, who has some history with the vanished brother. Said brother, who seems obsessed with the pleasures of life, is played by Sean Chapman. Ashley Laurence is the good brother's daughter. Doug Bradley, in a role that made him famous, is the lead demon-thing, aka "Pinhead", who speaks in a regal, commanding voice while saying strange and terrible things.

final word: Interesting, if a bit violent and gory. I'm looking forward to checking out the nine sequels.

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