Hellraiser (1987): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Hellraiser is a 1987 horror thriller directed by Clive Barker, starring Sean Chapman, Andrew Robinson and Clare Higgins. It is based on The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $14.6 million worldwide. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Make-up at the Saturn Awards 1988. Critics gave it 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Clive Barker
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- New World Pictures
- Based on
- The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Hellraiser About?
The premise of Hellraiser without spoilers, adapted from The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A grieving woman's obsession leads her to attempt to resurrect her brother-in-law, inadvertently unleashing a series of malevolent, chained demons. As she delves deeper into the dark ritual, she becomes entangled in a horrifying realm of pain and pleasure, pursued by the Cenobites who seek to claim him and those around him. The line between reality and nightmare blurs as she struggles to understand the forces she has unleashed and the price of her desperate attempt to bring someone back from the dead.
Hellraiser Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- body horror
- sadomasochism
- puzzle box
- gore
- pinhead character
- sadism
- body torn apart
- portal to hell
- splatterpunk
- cult film
- human sacrifice
- back from the dead
+38 more Show fewer
- resurrection
- sex horror
- demon
- sexual imagery
- hook
- supernatural horror
- based on novella
- adaptation directed by original author
- british horror
- sex addiction
- sex scene
- male pubic hair
- stepmother stepdaughter relationship
- teenage girl
- portal
- parallel dimension
- final girl
- star appears nude
- shapeshifting
- female rear nudity
- creature
- killing an animal
- occult
- chain
- rat
- surprise ending
- one word title
- brandy
- sex addict
- temptation
- dysfunctional relationship
- killer as protagonist
- spouse abuse
- characters killed one by one
- body count
- horror icon
- psychotronic film
- kneed in the groin
Hellraiser Cast
Sean Chapman leads the cast, with Andrew Robinson and Clare Higgins. Directed by Clive Barker; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Clive Barker
Also Starring in Hellraiser
· 6 moreHellraiser Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Hellraiser 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
-
IMDb 6.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 56 Metascore
User score 7.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB
Hellraiser Plot Summary
What happens in Hellraiser from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Somewhere in North Africa, Frank Cotton, portrayed by Sean Chapman, acquires a mysterious antique puzzle box from a dealer who inquires, “What’s your pleasure, Sir?” Once back in his English home, Frank attempts to solve the puzzle, triggering a horrifying sequence where chains shoot out from the box, ripping into his flesh. This gruesome act summons the Cenobites, demonic entities from another realm, led by the terrifying Pinhead (played by Doug Bradley). They inspect the remnants of Frank’s body, reassembling his disfigured face and returning the puzzle box to its original state, leaving the room untouched as if the horror never occurred.
Full summary
The whole story of Hellraiser, scene by scene
Hellraiser Box Office
Hellraiser grossed $14.6 million worldwide. $14.6 million came from the US and Canada and $11,499 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$14.6M
- US & Canada
- $14.6M
- International
- $11.5K
Hellraiser Awards & Nominations
Hellraiser earned 2 award nominations, including Best Make-up at the Saturn Awards 1988.
2 nominations1 ceremony
-
Saturn Awards 1988 2 nominations- Nominated Best Make-up
- Nominated Best Music
Hellraiser Trailers & Videos
7 videos: 4 trailers, 1 teaser and 2 clips.
- Trailer Original Trailer
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Trailer Official US Trailer
- Teaser Fathom Events Spot
How Well Do You Know Hellraiser?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What item unleashes Frank's gruesome fate?
Hellraiser Also Known As
31 alternative titles, including “Clive Barker's Hellraiser” and “Le Pacte”.
- Also known as
-
- Clive Barker's Hellraiser
- Le Pacte
- Hellraiser 1
- Clive Barkers Hellraiser
- Pekelník
- Fogo Maldito
- 猛鬼追魂
- La puerta del infierno
- Восставший из ада
- Hellraiser - Non ci sono limiti
- Hellraiser (Le pacte)
- Hellraiser Das Tor zur Hoelle
+19 more Show fewer
- Hellraiser - Renascido do Inferno
- Hellraiser - Das Tor zur Hölle
- Hellraiser : Le Pacte
- Hellraiser I - Los que traen el infierno
- Hellraiser. Wysłannik Piekieł
- 养鬼吃人
- ヘル・レイザー
- Hellraiser I
- Хелрейзър
- מעורר השאול
- Hellraiser: Renascido do Inferno
- 헬레이저
- 養鬼吃人
- Повсталий з пекла
- Hellraiser: Puerta al infierno
- บิดเปิดผี
- Gospodari pakla
- Gospodar pekla
- Ma Đinh
Seen Hellraiser?
Movies Like Hellraiser
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Hellraiser, Hellraiser: Revelations and Hellraiser: Judgment.
Hellraiser FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Hellraiser, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Hellraiser?
Hellraiser runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Hellraiser released?
Hellraiser was released on September 18, 1987.
Who directed Hellraiser?
Hellraiser was directed by Clive Barker.
More films by Clive Barker Who is in the cast of Hellraiser?
Hellraiser stars Sean Chapman, Andrew Robinson and Clare Higgins, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Hellraiser make at the box office?
Hellraiser grossed $14.6 million worldwide ($14.6 million domestic, $11,499 international).
How is Hellraiser rated?
Hellraiser has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 56 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
Is Hellraiser based on a book?
Yes. Hellraiser is adapted from The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker.
Was Hellraiser nominated for any awards?
Hellraiser received 2 nominations across 1 ceremony.
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