Hellraiser Rankings 1 - 5

For Halloween this year I started watching through the Hellraiser movies. I got to 5 before I took a break, so this will only go over the first 5 movies. I'll make a newer post later when I finish the entire franchise.

Anyway from worst to best here are my rankings.

5.  Hellraiser III Hell on Earth

This one was just too weird for me, it felt way more silly than the other movies and also had some of the weirdest acting, line delivery's in this felt really flat. It did have some of the more fun cenobite designs though.

I think this is the worst movie in terms of Pinhead's characterization. The scene below is a great example of what I mean, he's spouting off weird one liners and acting like a typical 80's slasher. It's fun but I don't think it fits his character well.

4. Hellraiser Bloodline

Bloodline was interesting. I liked how the story took place over different time periods, which everything being told as a story by a distant relative of the puzzle box's creator in the far future. At first I was getting 'Pinhead in SPACE' vibes but it never really devolved into that too much. The Victorian era sorcery stuff was really cool to see too.

I think this movie's major issue was that it was underdeveloped, from what I understand there were issues during the production which greatly effected it. Really a shame because it seems like it could have been really great.

Also has possibly one of the lamest kills out of the first 5.

3. Hellraiser Inferno

This movie does NOT deserve a 20% on Rotten Tomato's, It's probably the best movie out of the first five after the original. It's only issue is that it's not a good Hellraiser movie. The movie itself has little to do with Hellraiser besides someone opening a puzzle box at the beginning and an appearance by Pinhead at the end. 

Unlike some of the other movies the horror is a lot more psychological, with the main character experiencing delusions and the movie being in an almost dream like state. It actually got me a bit creeped out at times. It's also a kickass detective / noir type of story which I REALLY enjoy in media, it gives off a hard Condemned: Criminal Origins mixed with Jacob's Ladder vibe.

I think having Pinhead being a more background type character suits him way better. I enjoy him better being a impartial judge rather and a weird 80's slasher like in 3. 

VERY underrated movie.

2. Hellbound: Hellraiser II

Decent sequel to the first movie, works well as a continuation of the first one. It's weird, I like the setting with the Asylum and the evil doctor tuned cenobite, but it's probably the least memorable out of all the movies, really blends into the first one. This one WOULD be in third place but it's here because it's more Hellraiser than Inferno is.

Again though, the asylum the movie take place in is awesome, I remember taking screenshots of some parts of the movie as reference pictures for level stuff. Also we get some really cool scenes towards the end of Hell and even of Leviathan.

The feeling towards the end is actually a bit whimsical rather than just horror. Of course there are still spooky parts in it, and I think it may be a bit scarier than the first film. Also it has the first time we actually see someone getting converted into a cenobite from human, it's a cool scene but I think it kind of retracts a bit from the other wordily beings that the cenobites in the first film have, which I guess it also a bit of a critique of the other movies.

There also the fight towards the end that further humanizes them witch is ehhh.

 

1. Hellraiser

The original, the OG, the objectively BEST Hellraiser movie. The first one is simply the best. Everything is paced well, the acting is great, and everything regarding the cenobites and the puzzle box feels fittingly mysterious, nothing is overly explained.

I really like how in this movie Pinhead and the cenobites aren't necessarily evil, they're just doing what they do. Has the creepiest puzzle box opening scene as well.

Only issue I have with the movie is the ending felt a little weak. The house crashing in and her running out with her bf felt rushed almost. Also the stuff at the very end with the hobo also feels weirdly random. I don't remember if he was explained in the movies at all but I do remember him eating the bugs.

Also has one the the BEST scenes out of all the fist 5. This shit is AWSOME.