Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gore-torture-horror-ghoul fantasy from the '80s.
Parents Need to Know
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Hellraiser
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a cult classic that combines graphic horror elements with an engaging story, though many express concern about its extreme gore and mature themes, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. While some praise its special effects and iconic villain, others highlight the need for parental discretion regarding the movie's violent and sexual content.
- gory elements
- mature themes
- parental discretion
- cult classic
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 11, 1987
- On DVD or streaming : September 26, 2000
- Cast : Ashley Laurence , Clare Higgins , Doug Bradley
- Director : Clive Barker
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Anchor Bay Entertainment
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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