Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)

Pinhead returns in this 8th entry in the Hellraiser series as a group of friends who are addicted to an online MMORPG based on the Hellraiser mythos are invited to an exclusive party at a rich eccentric’s mansion house only to fall afoul of the cenobites.

It’s been 10 years since I last saw a Hellraiser movie. They stopped releasing them here in the UK after part 5 so I was excited when Lionsgate finally released parts 6, 7 and 8 on DVD earlier this year.

This film was completed nearly 10 years ago and was released in the US 7 years ago, so it was dated in terms of technology (I had one of those Nokia phones in 2003) but I actually quite liked it.

The main cast which includes Lance Henriksen, Katheryn Winnick and Henry Cavill were all likeable and capable, the film looked good (no surprise really as director Rick Bota is a DP by trade)and had a lot of nice touches (Pinhead merch, quotes from the original film used as soundbytes on the game etc.).

Sadly, this was to be the last time that Doug Bradley would play Pinhead (he was asked back for the recently released ninth film but turned it down) and he’s not exactly well utilised, although this kind of makes sense by films end.

OVERALL SUMMARY
In all, for a 7th sequel this was kind of refreshing or at least it would have been if they’d have released it when it was first completed.