 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hellraiser
- Review Date: January 27, 2011
- R
- Genre: Horror
- 1987
Common Sense Media says
Gore-torture-horror-ghoul fantasy from the '80s.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Hellraiser is extremely gory. Killing and mutilating befalls both humans and animals (rats), with bloody death by knife, hammer, and hooks. Nightmare imagery includes a vampire-like man without skin cannibalizing others to regenerate, and the cyborg-like demons called cenobites. Characters smoke, drink, have sex (some nudity) and swear (including "f--k"), and a villain incestuously lusts after his niece. Scattered religious icons might offend some viewers in this context.
What's the story?
The grisly directing debut of horror-fantasy author Clive Barker, HELLRAISER proposes that a fist-sized decorated box is a paranormal puzzle, literally the Rubik's Cube from Hell, opening gateways to nasty places beyond death. Frank Cotton (Sean Chapman), a globetrotting thrillseeker, solved the puzzle and was torn to shreds (which he perversely enjoyed) in some grim underworld. His estranged brother Larry (Andrew Robinson) moves into Frank's abandoned house with his wife Julia (Clare Higgins), who secretly had a kinky adulterous affair with Frank. To Julia's not-exactly-displeasure, Frank reappears -- portions of him anyway- - in the house, a skeletal, blood-dripping ghoul. Frank has Julia sexually lure a series of victims for him to devour and more fully regenerate. Meanwhile Larry's daughter Kirsty (Ashley Laurence), who hates stepmom Julia, senses something ominous and finds the puzzle box. Unwittingly, she summons Frank's ghastly former captors, sadistic supernatural torturers called cenobites.
Is it any good?
Hellraiser made a mint at the box office when it was released in 1987, in part, perhaps, because it really pushes the envelope (not to mention limits of human anatomy) in depicting the gruesome. But more so than just being a boo! spook show, Hellraiser conveys creepy family betrayal and spiritual evil just as bad as the obviously grotesque violence. When the special-effects ambition goes beyond the filmmakers' talent and budget -- puppet monsters, cartoon energy bolts -- the horror gets a bit comical. Still, the slicker, more CGI-laden The Mummy also had a dead guy reconstituting himself, and it wasn't half this disturbing. Several ripoff sequels followed, some just as gross, none as effective.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what were the scariest parts of the movie, and why. Did the violence and horror go too far? What is the appeal of horror movies?
Is it possible, as some fans of this movie claim, that the savage cenobites are beautiful? What is the appeal of the "goth" look of black vinyl, pallor, and piercings? What are some stereotypes people have about the goth look?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 13 years old
April 5, 2011
AGE
The only concern I really have about this movie is the violence. But, I don't think it's anything compared to what kids already see now. I know six year olds who have seen 300, so in this day and age I'm more laid back because it's nothing really new.
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Teen, 16 years old
April 4, 2011
AGE
OMG I loved this movie and the series. Seriously yes there is a bit of graphic sex and torture, but if you think that your kids are mature enough to handle it, then I say go for it. This is a classic horror movie, among the ranks of Halloween, Nightmare on Elm St, Friday the 13th, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Think "Saw" but less graphic torture.
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Adult
May 28, 2012
AGE
Very scary and sexual, 17+
Violence: 8/10- Pretty violent and gruesome. Blood and flesh are shown.
Sexual content: 10/10- Nudity and sexual activity.
Language: 6/10- F**k is used a few times. So are sh*t, b*stard, h*e, h*ll, and d*mn.
Drinking and drugs: 5/10- Lots of drinking and smoking.
Frightining scenes: 9/10- Very disturbing and horrifying movie.
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Teen, 15 years old
May 11, 2012
AGE
cool movie NOT FOR KIDS
dont let your kids watch it. it is really gory and sick. but really cool
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Parent
April 27, 2013
AGE
NOt for kids, only for mature audiense.
really disgusting film, I've scene lots of gory films but this one is not so bad. the plot was good, the character are great and would give people nightmares, and its bloody fantastic. Im a big fan of the series, and it more likely violent then scary, but still don't let younger children watch it, they will freak out when seeing the cenobites, especially my favorite "Chatterer". Give it a chance, its worth a watch.
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Parent of 2 year old
February 17, 2013
AGE
Pretty metal also a little disgusting
This movie is outrageously violent OUTRAGEOUSLY violent, not to be stereotypical but in 1980 we british made very silly horrors my fav part is when the two characters are in chains and then the screw-tweezers go thru the side of their face, and then the metal crushes the front. My rule is horror movies yes, real fist fights yes, real life horrors... BTW somebody asked me this THE NK IN MY NAME IS NON KILLER and in 2011 when i joined I was 17
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| Studio: | Anchor Bay Entertainment |
| Director: | Clive Barker |
| Cast: | Ashley Laurence, Clare Higgins, Doug Bradley |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 11, 1987 |
| DVD release date: | September 26, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
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