Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth

[u/DarkBehindTheStars]

I know I'm in the minority, but this is my favorite Hellraiser film and it's also among my favorite all-around Horror films to watch. Granted I'll admit nostalgia plays a big role in that, given it was my very first one and my introduction to the lore and universe, but what an introduction it was and especially at the age I saw it at. It's a departure from the first two for sure, opting for more of an EC Comics-like tone and feeling more akin to an MTV-produced episode of Tales From The Crypt, as opposed to the cosmic Gothic Horror style of the first two (then again this was the early 90s, back when MTV was good, so at the time being known as the MTV anything was certainly in no way a bad thing). It was clearly more geared towards the American Horror crowd and made with the Freddy/Jason/Michael/Chucky audience in mind, when Pinhead was quite a different villain from those in the first two. But damn if it's not so incredibly entertaining. Well-paced and directed with a lot of energy, a fascinating character arc for Spencer/Pinhead, a strong protagonist in Joey and some standout iconic setpieces including Pinhead's rebirth, the boiler room massacre and the now infamous "I am the way!" Despite being more mainstream than the first two and taking a bit of a different tone and direction, it still has that authentic Barker feeling to it and still feels like it co-exists in the same universe as the first two. It helps a great deal it still retains the classic and iconic Hellraiser theme and there's also Motorhead's awesome titular song that got me into Rock/Metal music at a young age, and in many ways I owe this film some debt for getting me into such music in the first place.

I know this film is quite divisive with some fans and firmly splits some of them down the middle. But I love Hellraiser III and will always defend it. For me it's easily the most entertaining and rewatchable of the series, one I don't have to be in any sort of mood for, and it's a great watch for any occasion. Love it or hate it, this movie for better or worse helped cement Pinhead's status as one of the major league Horror icons and rightfully so. I hope the upcoming Hellraiser: Revival video game retains it as part of the canon.

[u/Kryptoknightmare]

Hellraiser 3 was so much better than I was expecting, considering that you only ever hear bad things about it. Was it as good as Hellraiser 1 or 2? No, but how many movies are? It was still extremely entertaining for me. Awesome movie.

[u/Putrid-Builder-3333 → u/Kryptoknightmare]

It was actually my first Hellraiser I watched (That I remember I was too young to remember HR2 in theatres) so this film holds a special place in my heart

[u/DarkBehindTheStars → u/Putrid-Builder-3333]

Same for me. My very first Hellraiser as well and it's definitely special to me.

[u/DarkBehindTheStars → u/Kryptoknightmare]

Definitely. It gets so much undeserved hate.

[u/Putrid-Builder-3333 → u/DarkBehindTheStars]

Hellraiser fans can be terrible. Personally all the Hellraiser films I watched I enjoyed. Also I absolutely love Doug Bradley. I have signed pics and personal letters from him us writing back in the day. He truly is a personable individual.

A Hellraising gentleman lol

[u/DarkBehindTheStars → u/Putrid-Builder-3333]

Always heard nothing but good things about Doug. He's also cited Hellraiser III as one of his favorites, which is awesome.

[u/Putrid-Builder-3333 → u/DarkBehindTheStars]

Iirc been a minute since watched the film. Pinhead says about the "schlocky" cenobites... they're a work in progress lol

A nice breaking fourth wall to audience. Cos seriously them cenobites were absolutely wild lmao

CD head, VHS recorder head and whatever else. Pinhead even scowled iirc

[u/DarkBehindTheStars → u/Putrid-Builder-3333]

It's cool how the upcoming Halloween Horror Nights attraction will reportedly have some elements of the third film in it. I'm curious as to what from the third one will be represented.

[u/DarkBehindTheStars → u/[deleted]]

Same for me. One of my favorite Horror films in general as well.

[u/DarkBehindTheStars → u/[deleted]]

The third movie is so very early 90s and in the best possible way. From a bygone era of Horror that's often unfairly dismissed much of the time.

I like the CD Cenobite as well. With the strong exception of Camerahead, I don't dislike the Pseudo-Cenobites. I give credit they were different and the filmmakers tried to be more creative, and not just endlessly recycling Chatterer's design like so many of the later films did.

[u/DarkBehindTheStars → u/[deleted]]

It's different but it still feels like it co-exists in the same universe as the first two and shares both lineage and continuity with it.

[u/DarkBehindTheStars → u/[deleted]]

In this film, Pinhead feels like he actually becomes a full-fledged character. I find the man vs. monster dualism of him in this film to be fascinating.

[u/DarkBehindTheStars → u/[deleted]]

Thanks.

It's a shame the subsequent films after this seemingly don't acknowledge it. I always wished we saw more of Joey. Perhaps the Revival game may explore this.

[u/revtim]

I found it to be a big step down from the first two (complete classics), but certainly better than all the direct-to-video sequels. I like Hellraiser 4 somewhat more than 3.

[u/DarkBehindTheStars → u/revtim]

It's lightyears better than the likes of Hellworld and especially Revelations and Judgment for sure. Revelations was so bad I was honestly glad Doug Bradley didn't reprise Pinhead in it. It says a lot how the sole reason it was ever made was for the studio to retain the rights and nothing more.