Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
The Hellraiser (2022) episode of WTF Happened to This Horror Movie? was Written by Emilie Black, Narrated by Adam Walton, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
Seemingly all the major slashers have had their remakes from Freddy Krueger to Leatherface to Jason Voorhees to Harry Warden, even Black Christmas and Prom Night have had remakes. For years, the world of horror had been working on bringing a remake of Hellraiser to the screen, one that fans would love, one that would be more extreme than the original, something even Clive Barker had a go at. All the remakes were announced, but then disappeared. Then, the Hulu reboot happened, completely different from the original, yet in the same spirit as the novella.
As people were quick to point out, the story of the new Hellraiser is nothing like the original or that of the novella as written by Clive Barker. Kirsty is not in this story, nor is Julia or Frank. The story follows Riley, a drug addict who, along with her not-quite boyfriend, but more than a friend, acquires the Lament Configuration Box, and quickly realizes that there is more to it. The story has elements of the first and second Hellraiser films, as well as the novella in terms of mood, Cenobites, and a few things that feel truly Barker-esque. But overall, this isn’t a remake, but a reboot to franchise, bringing the Cenobites and Hell Priest to current times with new and shocking effects. The story has elements of the first and second
Hellraiser films, some of the novella in terms of mood, the Cenobites, and a few things that feel truly Barker-esque, but overall, this isn’t a remake as promised, but a reboot to the franchise, bringing the Cenobites and the Hell Priest to current times with new and shocking effects.As they appear in the film, the Cenobites take a departure from the first cinematic adaptation by Clive Barker himself, going less with a BDSM aesthetic and more with a gory look, using their own flesh as clothing, revealing their muscles and insides in more and more complex designs as they show up one by one. Barker and Bruckner believed that the BDSM style would be less shocking today because it has become mainstream. The general public is used to this look and doesn’t find it shocking anymore. The shocking look was created by combining previous Cenobites designs with new elements. In the original, the lead Cenobite is not fully visible until the 67 minute mark. Pinhead is a different character in this iteration. He appears earlier in the film, at the 26-minute point, but in shadow form. Pinhead’s design is a variation on the pins in a head design that everyone was expecting, but with a shiny finish to the heads of the pins. The rest of the design is new. It plays with the idea that Pinhead is genderless or more or less androgenous. However, because the voice in the novella is clearly female, the new cinematic version takes that and makes Pinhead a more feminine character. Clayton is a trans artist and the idea of a androgenous character who is a little more feminine than expected works perfectly with her performance and Barker’s artwork. Not everyone is happy with this design, but many have pointed out that it fits with Barker’s description of the Hell Priest in The Hellbound heart and the presence of a woman Hell Priest in comic books Barker wrote later. This design fits Barker’s vision, and may still shock many in today’s society. The director Bruckner also auditioned Gottmik, who appeared as Pinhead in the season 13 final of RuPaul Drag Race
. Ultimately, Clayton’s performance and experience as an actress won the part and the public got to see her version of the character.
Another featured Cenobite is one that will look familiar to fans, the Gasp Cenobite is new to this version with a look that is mix of the female Cenobite from the first and second film, with the throat opening meant to look like female genitalia, and the open and pulled down scalp like the 4th film’s Angelique Cenobite. This combines two female characters to create a truly terrifying creature. The other Cenobites in this 2022 movie are inspired by other versions of the Cenobites that have been seen before, whether in comics, books, or films. Their looks are made to disturb and make the viewers uncomfortable, something that had to be turned to 11 compared with the first film as things have changed since 1987 and horror fans need a lot more to be disturbed.
Now, for the owner of the box, the one who is bringing the Cenobites forth to our world and who is bringing people to the Cenobites, the character of Roland Voigt. Roland Voigt is a new character, not from the novella or the film series. He is a new character, but he shares some similarities with Frank Cotton in the first film as well as Doctor Channard in the second. His motivations to open the box were similar to Frank’s: he wanted to explore new pleasures and boundaries, and new worlds. His modus operandi was closer to Channard, in that he had researched the occult for years and found the Lament Configuration to be the ultimate way to combine his passion for occult with his interest in finding new forms of enjoyment. Riley, her lover, her brother and their friends are the only survivors in the film. With the antagonists already lined up, it was time to find some kill-fodder and a survivor. These characters are designed to appeal to young viewers. They have personalities and reasons that will keep them interested. They are modern versions of horror film characters who make the same mistakes and make odd decisions. They also become victims in and around Voigt’s massive mansion. Ultimately, the film does decently with these characters.
The script here was written by Ben Collins, Luke Piotrowski, and David S. Goyer. Goyer is a familiar name to most horror fans having written the first Blade adaptation, having worked on The Dark Knight trilogy, a few more small DC films, a lot of other adaptations, and a few original pieces. His name is not surprising, as he adapts well. David Bruckner is a director who has worked on a short film, 3 feature films, 2 tv episodes, and a couple feature segments. Some of his work was fantastic, such as The Night House or The signal. He had a resume pre-Hellraiser but was not as established as Goyer or some of the others involved. He seemed to have Clive Barker’s approval, and that matters a lot more than in any other movie. As the Hellraiser world is one that Barker created both in book and in film, that then was sort of taken away from him with all the sequels that came after the second film. The last few entries in the series were more or less slush pile scripts that had a hell connection and were given new scenes and characters to add the Cenobites and make them part of the Hellraiser universe. This reboot is one that is much closer in tone, mood, and content to what would be done by Clive Barker himself.
Which leads to the previous attempts at adapting the film into a remake. There were many attempts at this. For years, rumors of a Hellraiser remake were swirling, growing in details, always talking about how it was going to be more gruesome, more hard core, more this, more that. Most of the time, the rumors were just that, but over the years, various teams were involved in the remake, which almost led to its release, but not until it was made for Hulu. There were many people involved in rumors, but there were also a few versions that had Clive Barker’s or the studio’s approval. There was a period or periods where the remake would be written by Barker and possibly directed by him. This allowed him to have a R rating and a larger budget than the original. He could go bloodier, spend more on adult content, stay closer to the novella, or deviate at will from the source material. This was the dream for many
Hellraiser fans. Random people were attached to participate and fans speculated endlessly on the potential return of Doug Bradley in Pinhead or another role. The 2022 Hulu remake was finally ready and there were many hopes and dreams that were dashed. You can see that the 2022 Hulu version was kept under wraps until its first screening. For some, it was a surprise. Before these two teams, there were two others announced. In 2010, the team behind My bloody Valentine
was announced. This film was a remake that was more or less a sequel and reboot all rolled into one. Fans seemed to love it and it was a great way to bring Harry Warden back. This meant that the two names could be trusted with a beloved horror IP, but their style felt more in line with films like their previous work including Drive Angry and Trick, and much less like something from the Hellraiser universe, so having them be involved was a curious choice for most. Dimension announced these two in October 2010, with a shooting schedule for 2011 and a 2012 release date. Variety announced this officially, which meant that it was happening. Then it didn’t. Fans were instead served another sequel, Hellraiser Revelations, which offered viewers two Pinheads in a single mess, something that most fans of the franchise would rather ignore. Lussier and Farmer created more than one treatment and some of them have been posted online. One of their take saw hundreds of boxes floating in the world. This could have led to a lot of sequels featuring different settings, universes and characters. In this world, people were able to destroy these boxes and their abilities. This could have added an “hunter” angle to the story. This version has a few Cenobites and the intention to bring back Doug Bradley, Pinhead, in a similar storyline as their My Bloody Valentine remake. Give fans what they want while expanding the universe. The studio did seem to have tinkered with this in a later treatment that was more teen-friendly and would have needed to be rated PG-13. The Lussier-Farmer team had potential, but the changes requested by the studio could have killed the spirit in place in their version.Before them, in 2007, the team behind A L’Interieur
(Inside) announced their involvement with the Hellraiser remake. Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury and their film were just coming off a successful run at a number of horror festivals. They were hailed as being the next big thing. The film was strong, but it seemed premature to give two Frenchmen with just one feature film as their only credits the reigns of the most enduring horror franchise in history. They were both working on it. In an interview with Twitch, the two of them discussed how they would “make something very different and new with it.” Horror enthusiasts had heard this many times before but they continued to say that they had Barker’s blessing so there must be something there. They wanted to make something cool and different, but they didn’t discuss many details. The film was never filmed, but their version remained in their plans. Instead, the two of them ended up eventually joining the slasher filmmaker ranks with their version of Leatherface that was released 10 years later, in 2017.Of course, not having seen these different visions, no real opinion of them can be made. However, as Clive Barker himself had worked on a script for a remake, that version will most likely end up being the one that most fans of the mythos and universe will forever wonder what could have been.As it is, the current version of
Hellraiser
was released on Hulu to fans who loved it, hated it, or just didn’t care. Rotten Tomatoes has a fan rating of 58%, with fans not loving the new version. The collective 66% of critics were more positive, which is appropriate in a sense. The film is easily accessible on the streaming service, but a physical media release doesn’t seem to be coming at all, something old school Hellraiser fans who have collected everything they could about the Lament Configuration universe are annoyed about. Below are a few of the previous episodes from WTF happened to this horror movie?. To see more, head over to our JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channel – and subscribe while you’re there!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7EZpDOTJPg
Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
The Hellraiser (2022) episode of WTF Happened to This Horror Movie? was Written by Emilie Black, Narrated by Adam Walton, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
Seemingly all the major slashers have had their remakes from Freddy Krueger to Leatherface to Jason Voorhees to Harry Warden, even Black Christmas and Prom Night have had remakes. For years, the world of horror had been working on bringing a remake of Hellraiser to the screen, one that fans would love, one that would be more extreme than the original, something even Clive Barker had a go at. All the remakes were announced, but then disappeared. Then, the Hulu reboot happened, completely different from the original, yet in the same spirit as the novella.
As people were quick to point out, the story of the new Hellraiser is nothing like the original or that of the novella as written by Clive Barker. Kirsty is not in this story, nor is Julia or Frank. The story follows Riley, a drug addict who, along with her not-quite boyfriend, but more than a friend, acquires the Lament Configuration Box, and quickly realizes that there is more to it. The story has elements of the first and second Hellraiser films, as well as the novella in terms of mood, Cenobites, and a few things that feel truly Barker-esque. But overall, this isn’t a remake, but a reboot to franchise, bringing the Cenobites and Hell Priest to current times with new and shocking effects. The story has elements of the first and second
Hellraiser films, some of the novella in terms of mood, the Cenobites, and a few things that feel truly Barker-esque, but overall, this isn’t a remake as promised, but a reboot to the franchise, bringing the Cenobites and the Hell Priest to current times with new and shocking effects.As they appear in the film, the Cenobites take a departure from the first cinematic adaptation by Clive Barker himself, going less with a BDSM aesthetic and more with a gory look, using their own flesh as clothing, revealing their muscles and insides in more and more complex designs as they show up one by one. Barker and Bruckner believed that the BDSM style would be less shocking today because it has become mainstream. The general public is used to this look and doesn’t find it shocking anymore. The shocking look was created by combining previous Cenobites designs with new elements. In the original, the lead Cenobite is not fully visible until the 67 minute mark. Pinhead is a different character in this iteration. He appears earlier in the film, at the 26-minute point, but in shadow form. Pinhead’s design is a variation on the pins in a head design that everyone was expecting, but with a shiny finish to the heads of the pins. The rest of the design is new. It plays with the idea that Pinhead is genderless or more or less androgenous. However, because the voice in the novella is clearly female, the new cinematic version takes that and makes Pinhead a more feminine character. Clayton is a trans artist and the idea of a androgenous character who is a little more feminine than expected works perfectly with her performance and Barker’s artwork. Not everyone is happy with this design, but many have pointed out that it fits with Barker’s description of the Hell Priest in The Hellbound heart and the presence of a woman Hell Priest in comic books Barker wrote later. This design fits Barker’s vision, and may still shock many in today’s society. The director Bruckner also auditioned Gottmik, who appeared as Pinhead in the season 13 final of RuPaul Drag Race
. Ultimately, Clayton’s performance and experience as an actress won the part and the public got to see her version of the character.
Another featured Cenobite is one that will look familiar to fans, the Gasp Cenobite is new to this version with a look that is mix of the female Cenobite from the first and second film, with the throat opening meant to look like female genitalia, and the open and pulled down scalp like the 4th film’s Angelique Cenobite. This combines two female characters to create a truly terrifying creature. The other Cenobites in this 2022 movie are inspired by other versions of the Cenobites that have been seen before, whether in comics, books, or films. Their looks are made to disturb and make the viewers uncomfortable, something that had to be turned to 11 compared with the first film as things have changed since 1987 and horror fans need a lot more to be disturbed.
Now, for the owner of the box, the one who is bringing the Cenobites forth to our world and who is bringing people to the Cenobites, the character of Roland Voigt. Roland Voigt is a new character, not from the novella or the film series. He is a new character, but he shares some similarities with Frank Cotton in the first film as well as Doctor Channard in the second. His motivations to open the box were similar to Frank’s: he wanted to explore new pleasures and boundaries, and new worlds. His modus operandi was closer to Channard, in that he had researched the occult for years and found the Lament Configuration to be the ultimate way to combine his passion for occult with his interest in finding new forms of enjoyment. Riley, her lover, her brother and their friends are the only survivors in the film. With the antagonists already lined up, it was time to find some kill-fodder and a survivor. These characters are designed to appeal to young viewers. They have personalities and reasons that will keep them interested. They are modern versions of horror film characters who make the same mistakes and make odd decisions. They also become victims in and around Voigt’s massive mansion. Ultimately, the film does decently with these characters.
The script here was written by Ben Collins, Luke Piotrowski, and David S. Goyer. Goyer is a familiar name to most horror fans having written the first Blade adaptation, having worked on The Dark Knight trilogy, a few more small DC films, a lot of other adaptations, and a few original pieces. His name is not surprising, as he adapts well. David Bruckner is a director who has worked on a short film, 3 feature films, 2 tv episodes, and a couple feature segments. Some of his work was fantastic, such as The Night House or The signal. He had a resume pre-Hellraiser but was not as established as Goyer or some of the others involved. He seemed to have Clive Barker’s approval, and that matters a lot more than in any other movie. As the Hellraiser world is one that Barker created both in book and in film, that then was sort of taken away from him with all the sequels that came after the second film. The last few entries in the series were more or less slush pile scripts that had a hell connection and were given new scenes and characters to add the Cenobites and make them part of the Hellraiser universe. This reboot is one that is much closer in tone, mood, and content to what would be done by Clive Barker himself.
Which leads to the previous attempts at adapting the film into a remake. There were many attempts at this. For years, rumors of a Hellraiser remake were swirling, growing in details, always talking about how it was going to be more gruesome, more hard core, more this, more that. Most of the time, the rumors were just that, but over the years, various teams were involved in the remake, which almost led to its release, but not until it was made for Hulu. There were many people involved in rumors, but there were also a few versions that had Clive Barker’s or the studio’s approval. There was a period or periods where the remake would be written by Barker and possibly directed by him. This allowed him to have a R rating and a larger budget than the original. He could go bloodier, spend more on adult content, stay closer to the novella, or deviate at will from the source material. This was the dream for many
Hellraiser fans. Random people were attached to participate and fans speculated endlessly on the potential return of Doug Bradley in Pinhead or another role. The 2022 Hulu remake was finally ready and there were many hopes and dreams that were dashed. You can see that the 2022 Hulu version was kept under wraps until its first screening. For some, it was a surprise. Before these two teams, there were two others announced. In 2010, the team behind My bloody Valentine
was announced. This film was a remake that was more or less a sequel and reboot all rolled into one. Fans seemed to love it and it was a great way to bring Harry Warden back. This meant that the two names could be trusted with a beloved horror IP, but their style felt more in line with films like their previous work including Drive Angry and Trick, and much less like something from the Hellraiser universe, so having them be involved was a curious choice for most. Dimension announced these two in October 2010, with a shooting schedule for 2011 and a 2012 release date. Variety announced this officially, which meant that it was happening. Then it didn’t. Fans were instead served another sequel, Hellraiser Revelations, which offered viewers two Pinheads in a single mess, something that most fans of the franchise would rather ignore. Lussier and Farmer created more than one treatment and some of them have been posted online. One of their take saw hundreds of boxes floating in the world. This could have led to a lot of sequels featuring different settings, universes and characters. In this world, people were able to destroy these boxes and their abilities. This could have added an “hunter” angle to the story. This version has a few Cenobites and the intention to bring back Doug Bradley, Pinhead, in a similar storyline as their My Bloody Valentine remake. Give fans what they want while expanding the universe. The studio did seem to have tinkered with this in a later treatment that was more teen-friendly and would have needed to be rated PG-13. The Lussier-Farmer team had potential, but the changes requested by the studio could have killed the spirit in place in their version.Before them, in 2007, the team behind A L’Interieur
(Inside) announced their involvement with the Hellraiser remake. Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury and their film were just coming off a successful run at a number of horror festivals. They were hailed as being the next big thing. The film was strong, but it seemed premature to give two Frenchmen with just one feature film as their only credits the reigns of the most enduring horror franchise in history. They were both working on it. In an interview with Twitch, the two of them discussed how they would “make something very different and new with it.” Horror enthusiasts had heard this many times before but they continued to say that they had Barker’s blessing so there must be something there. They wanted to make something cool and different, but they didn’t discuss many details. The film was never filmed, but their version remained in their plans. Instead, the two of them ended up eventually joining the slasher filmmaker ranks with their version of Leatherface that was released 10 years later, in 2017.Of course, not having seen these different visions, no real opinion of them can be made. However, as Clive Barker himself had worked on a script for a remake, that version will most likely end up being the one that most fans of the mythos and universe will forever wonder what could have been.As it is, the current version of
Hellraiser
was released on Hulu to fans who loved it, hated it, or just didn’t care. Rotten Tomatoes has a fan rating of 58%, with fans not loving the new version. The collective 66% of critics were more positive, which is appropriate in a sense. The film is easily accessible on the streaming service, but a physical media release doesn’t seem to be coming at all, something old school Hellraiser fans who have collected everything they could about the Lament Configuration universe are annoyed about. Below are a few of the previous episodes from WTF happened to this horror movie?. To see more, head over to our JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channel – and subscribe while you’re there!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7EZpDOTJPg
Entertainment - Media News Watch originally published at Entertainment - Media News Watch
