Hellraiser, a franchise with almost ten instalments, is being rebooted. While other sequels to long-running horror series function as direct sequels, the Hellraiser remake takes a different approach. The new film, according to director David Bruckner, is something of a tiny reworking.
The imaginative nature of the IP has allowed for several revivals. Each subsequent edition allows viewers to watch the movie on their own. The series first aired in 1987 and quickly became a staple of the horror genre. It was based on the novella The Hellbound Heart, which had been published a year before. Clive Barker, horror legend, wrote the script.
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In an interview with SFX Magazine, Bruckner said that they are unable to comment at this time. But it’s something they’re actively working on, and for a filmmaker like him, it’s a thrill and a dream to enter that world.
All he would say is that they’re trying to stay as loyal to the source material as possible. The original picture, as well as Clive Barker’s original story, ‘The Hellbound Heart,’ was a major source of inspiration. However, it is a minor reimagining, and they are actively working on it.
Each episode features a strange puzzle box that acts as a portal to a dimension where demons known as Cenobites torture and punish their victims in gruesome ways. They seek pleasure from agony and anguish.
Pinhead, the principal Cenobite whose name literally matches his appearance, has become a well-known villain in the genre. He wasn’t the major adversary in the first film, but he went on to become the franchise’s main villain. In terms of iconic status, some have compared him to Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, and Freddy Krueger.
The majority of the recent films were released straight on video. However, the relaunch premieres on Hulu, and it will be available to stream. While some may interpret this as a decline in quality, the relaunch is expected to attract more attention than prior instalments. There could be some fascinating concepts to explore with a semi-reboot.
