Hellraiser: Judgment

...originally based on works by Clive Barker, from Dimension Films and writer-director Gary J. Tunnicliffe. Cops Sean (Damon Carney) and David (Randy Wayne) search for a serial killer known as the Preceptor, but their investigation takes them to the very gates of Hell.

When it comes to these long-running horror franchises, the rights-holding studios have to make at least one new film every few years or risk losing the rights. This results in some truly awful films, cheaply made and rushed through production just to beat a deadline and meet a legal requirement. This is just such a movie, as have been the last several in this once-groundbreaking series. The first two films rank among the best horror films of all time, but starting with the third (when Dimension Films starting producing them) they've gotten progressively worse.

This newest film may be a tiny bit better than the atrocious previous entry (2011's Hellraiser: Revelations), but it's still terrible, with vague characterizations, bored performances, and a distinct cheapness to the production that undercuts some of the attempts at world-building. This story attempts to expand a bit on the bureaucracy of Hell as hinted at in the second film, namely with new character The Auditor, played by the director. He actually gets more screentime than series hallmark Pinhead, although he's not as impressive, and looks like the hell-cops from Highway to Hell (1991). In summary, all but the most die-hard fans should avoid this often dull and pretentious latest movie in the series.

Hellraiser: Judgment saved the franchise, it establishes new character and expand the lore. The Auditor is very interesting and I found Gary Tunnicliffe interpretation sublime. The Hell world was always left behind since the second movie, but in this chapter we finally discover more about the mechanics of this dark world. We get to see more Pinhead and we learn to know him al little bit better. This chapter establishes good bases for possible sequels, creators should definitely follow this narrative path. I was very surprised to finally see a decent movie of the series. Unfortunately after Inferno, this saga suffered a lot.

Photography is good, I really appreciated the color grading that sets perfectly the tone of the plot, both special and practical effects are on point. There are a lot of graphic scenes, but I feel that first movies were more violent and gruesome. However there are some pretty amazing killings. The pace of the movie is perfect, but the plot is very predictable and you can clearly see that there are a lot of ideas recycled from Hellraiser: Inferno. Maybe next time try not to pick a detective as main character.

After Revelations, my expectations were really low. I am just happy that the director managed to create something good and that could have save the franchise from the retirement. I really hope that Dimension Films will take seriously in consideration to create an extended narrative universe. Please, make it happen.

I am a HUGE fan of the Hellraiser mythos. The aesthetics, the lore, the characters. After watching the original as a teenager the lead character 'Pinhead' needled his way into my consciousness as the primary 'horror character' of my dreams/nightmares. He left such an impression that it wasn't long before i chased down his original appearance in Clive Barker's (master of the macabre) novella 'The Hellbound Heart' and became absolutely smitten for life.

Armed with such impressive enthusiasm i devoured every Hellraiser movie as soon as it became available. My infatuation notwithstanding i couldn't help but notice the gradual decline in quality as each subsequent effort was released. Apart from 'Hellraiser 4 - Bloodline' there was a clear degradation in the caliber of film being presented. It was getting beyond embarrassing.

Understandably my expectations for the 10th film were about as high as my expectations of answering the door to a scantily clad Drew Barrymore offering me a cigar made from rolled up $100 notes, as she ushered me onto her private jet for a life of pool-side tickle-fighting.

My impression from having JUST finished watching the movie is,... relief. The people who made this film DIDN'T just churn out the product and slap the 'Hellraiser' name on it like the last 5 movies. There was some actual THOUGHT put into the script and i was grateful to not be able to predict the plot at every turn.

This is in no way the BEST film in the world, or even the best film in the series, but easily in MY top 3 of the series. If you're in to Hellraiser like I am, then im sure you'll enjoy it. If you're NOT into Hellraiser,.. then i hereby forbid you to watch it. lol

Thanks to whoever made this movie, i really enjoyed the ending and i'd love it if you made more.

I will not spoil any of the movie here. I have to say that i liked it for what it is. It is clearly a better movie than the previous attempts since the fifth entry but it keeps the same style a theme as those movies. That means we have a killer that needs to be found.

The only real complaign i have for this movie is the presentation and revelation of the killer. The killer had great potential to be a very nice dive into the darker parts of the human phsyche but it is not so. It started good trying to colour him but they did not follow through. Perhaps some better writing next time will be all it is needed in order to present a much better killer.

Overall the acting was adequete with the exception of the auditor who was great beyond the call of duty. Kudos to that. Also the new Pinhead actor is good. Not nearly as good as the Pinhead of old of course but he is good enough that in time he can actually grow on it and improve.

Do not listen to the nay sayers, this movie is worth a watch for the fans of the series. It leaves things to be desired of course due to budget but give it a go regardless. Who knows, maybe you will enjoy it.

Please for the love of the fans, release the rights to a real writer, director and producers who loves the horror movies....this is just ridiculous....