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Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Kenneth Cranham, Imogen Boorman, Sean Chapman ... see more see more... , William Hope , Doug Bradley , Simon Bamford , Catherine Chevalier , Edwin Craig , Bradley Lavelle , Angus MacInnes , Ron Travis , Barbie Wilde , Oliver Smith , Nicholas Vince , Oliver Parker

Horror fantasist Clive Barker, director of the original Hellraiser, maintained creative control over this worthy sequel as executive producer, but was unable to occupy the director's chair due to his ... read more read more...involvement on other projects. His creative touch is still quite evident here, as the original film's story is expanded in scope and intensity. The story picks up immediately after the events of the original, with the mentally unbalanced Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) confined to a mental hospital after her experiences in the hellish domain of the grotesque Cenobites, which included the gruesome death of her father. Her case attracts the attention of hospital director Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham), whose marked interest in her story has more than a little to do with his research into the occult. The chief focus of this extracurricular activity seems centered on his impressive collection of puzzle boxes, many of which are versions of the Lament Configuration -- the device which opens the gateway to the Cenobites' dimension. To further realize his diabolical obsession, Channard conducts grisly human sacrifices to resurrect the body of Kirsty's evil stepmother, Julia (Clare Higgins) -- who has literally been through hell and back. He also recruits mute autistic patient Tiffany (Imogen Boorman), an expert at solving puzzles, to decipher the correct version of the box. Haunted by visions of her mutilated father suffering in hell, Kirsty joins Tiffany in hopes of rescuing him from the Cenobites' dimension. Tiffany gains them access to the portal, and they make the nightmarish journey down the corridors of hell. Narrowly escaping the diabolical Pinhead (Doug Bradley), they come face to face with Julia, who has already handed Dr. Channard over to the Cenobites to be transformed into a hideous new creation. First-time director Tony Randel acquits himself nicely, and seems to have a real flair for the surreal material; the script by longtime Barker collaborator Peter Atkins elaborates on elements only hinted at in its predecessor. It should follow that the slightly larger budget would allow ample room for this expansion, but the production values actually appear somewhat slimmer. What the film lacks in refined style it makes up for in utter dementia, particularly in its depiction of graphic bloodletting -- numerous scenes were trimmed or deleted altogether in order to obtain an R rating from the MPAA. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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66% liked it

45,951 ratings

Critics

47% liked it

19 critics

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Tony Randel

Release Date: December 23, 1988

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DVD Release Date: September 19, 2000

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Stats: 1,448 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,448)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    March 18, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The follow-up to Clive Barker's Hellraiser is a terrific horror flick with a great cast, great effects and very good directing provided by Tony Randel. As far as sequels are concerned, Hellbound is one of the better sequels in a horror franchise. Usually a sequel tends to lack th... read moree power of the original film, however this is not the case for Hellbound. Though not as great as Hellraiser; this film has all the necessary elements to create the effective terror that Hellraiser fans have come to expect. This film is designed to disturb its audience and like the first film, it does it very well. Though Clive Barker didn't direct this film, you can still see his imagination run wild throughout the film. The film succeeds at delivering dark images of melancholic painful terror. This film is a worthy enough sequel to Clive Barker's original masterpiece, and it continues where the first left off. Lead actresses Clare Higgins and Ashley Laurence reprise their roles from the first film, and it brings an even greater sense of continuity to the film. Fans of the first film will most likely enjoy this film, and like the first Hellraiser, it remains a must see film for fans. This is the best sequel in the entire franchise, and as the series progressed; it's easy to see why. If you've enjoyed the first film, then give this one a view, you'll most likely going to enjoy it as much as Barker's classic of terror.
  • Deano78
    August 4, 2011
    Deano78
    I think I prefer the story line of this one over the first. The first film did drag a bit until the end. It was good to see more of the Cenobites in this one. Parts of it were repetitive though, still very gory and unusual though. If you liked the first check it out.
  • blkbomb
    June 3, 2011
    blkbomb
    The first one was just good enough to get me interested in seeing the sequel. The sequel was bad enough to make me never want to see any of the other sequels. Unlike the first movie, this one has no redeeming qualities. The first Hellraiser was cool and inspired. Hellbound see... read moremed to just be cashing in on the success of the first one.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    April 16, 2011
    cancercapricorn2002
    A year after the events of the first movie, Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) has been confined to a psychiatric ward for no one believes that creatures from hell killed her family. However a pretty patient girl named Tiffany (Inogen Boorman) who is good at solving puzzles is a favorite p... read moreatient of a doctor named Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham) who has an obsession with finding ways into another dimension. He discovers the bloody mattress where Julia (Clare Higgins) was murdered as he resurrects her to help Dr. Channard summon the forces of evil. However Pinhead (Doug Bradley) and his Cenobite minions have returned unhappy as they seek revenge with now Kirsty being the only one that can stop this evil madness once again even if she literally has to go to hell.

    A brilliant and macabre sequel to Clive Barker's 1987 cult horror fantasy masterpiece! Tony Randall does his directorial debut has done a splendid job of crafting this follow-up. Barker serves as executive producer and this sequel gives the goods just like the original with surreal stunning imagery, graphic gore, torture, S&M and good atmosphere. In fact, the film is so gory that back in 1988 it was threatened with an "X" rating but luckily the uncut unrated version got to see the light of day on video in 1989 and DVD now, the movie offers plot twists with really cool special effects and creature effects for it's time. This installment even offers the origin of Pinhead who is every horror fanboy's favorite nail-headed creature from the abyss of oblivion and Christopher Young's score is chilling as always.

    Here is a satisfying follow-up that won't disappoint.
  • ajv2688
    March 3, 2011
    ajv2688
    If you loved the first Hellraiser movie, you should definitely see this sequel, it's slow at first, but you get to see Hell, and there are a some surprises in the end you wont want to miss. I really liked this movie.
  • ythelastman89
    November 18, 2009
    ythelastman89
    The cenobites are back for revenge. This time you get sucked into their world and see the chaos. It's a nice follow up to the original, while it can't stand on its own it's still fun. You learn a little more about the box, as well as Pinhead. I liked that they brought Frank back,... read more even though it was only for a little. My only complaint is that the effects and look of the movie wasn't as good as the first, but it by no means ruined the experience.
  • 76Majikat
    November 13, 2009
    76Majikat
    A little more gory than a lot of Horror films around this time and despite forgetting completely what the prequel was about, there is enough content in the sequel to refresh your memory.

    It didn?t start out too badly and thought it looked a little promising, but soon enough we... read more entered a ?should I switch off or continue watching? moment, stayed with it, but was completely bored.
  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    This is a mess of a film. Style over content, it never seems to know what it wants to achieve. It does have some really good moments but they never feel intentional and they are always overshadowed by terrible acting, pointless scenes and stupid story lines! Good special effects/... read more gore though!
  • bbcfloridabound
    January 4, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    Everyone know about Hellraiser, this is the 2nd in the series, I thought the Special Effects in the 1st Hellraiser were just a little better, but this one had some wild effects also but then what Clive Barker Film doesn?t. Does Pinhead come back I hope so he?s my hero. How can yo... read moreu not have it in your collection, if your into horror you need this one.
  • Stinger839
    July 23, 2008
    Stinger839
    The first reel of this movie is a recap of the last movie - and it's just the same footage played again, not anything new. The rest of the movie tries to be Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. The script is not only bad, the acting and editing are awkward to fit it. The on... read morely things I liked about this movie were a few shots of the Cenobites, especially where the main four are in their chain room, and again their world/philosophy is underexplained. I like them showing a Pinhead origins time lapse shot of his lines and nails being imposed on his face. Loving the gut-face Cenobite but disappointed by the mad shrink Cenobite. I like the Escher style labyrinth, but why only a few angles of it? I don't care about any of these characters, and I think continuing the storyline from the first was a horrible idea. The effects and blood are at least WAY better in this one compared to the first, but not enough to cover the brittle boned tale it hangs upon. Don't bother with this whole movie; just look up the best clips on youtube or summat.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
March 26, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

A maggotty carnival of mayhem, mutation and dismemberment, awash in blood and recommended only for those who thrive on such junk. Full Review

Richard Harrington
January 1, 2000
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

Even if you discount the cliche's, there are enough bizarre and shocking effects here to satisfy all but the most demanding genre fans. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is simply a series of ugly and bloody episodes strung together one after another like a demo tape by a perverted special-effects man. Full Review

Tim Brayton
August 14, 2011
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

A thoroughly worthy successor to the freakishly original Hellraiser. Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.
August 16, 2010
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed

A mixed bag that I just didn't fully embrace in the end... Full Review

August 21, 2009
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The film collapses into a bloody mess of bravura set pieces that never add up to a satisfying whole. Full Review

August 21, 2009
Film4

Gory but lacking in purpose, this sequel benefits from the return of Higgins and the new addition of Cranham, yet fails to do much with the premise other than deliver a reactionary AIDS parable. Full Review

Eric Henderson
April 20, 2009
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine

It's probably a stretch to surmise that, just as the first film's subtext dealt with health fears, the sequel mines its dread from the horror of malpractice. Full Review

Bill Gibron
October 30, 2008
Bill Gibron, Filmcritic.com

as part of the ongoing Hellraiser legacy, Hellbound is an excellent sequel Full Review

Derek Adams
February 9, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

Simply performs cosmetic surgery on the original. Full Review

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Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 Trivia

  • In hellraiser 2 : hellbound, What change happens to pinhead, after a confrontation with kirsty and then the dr?  Answer »
  • In Hellbound: Hellraiser 2, what was the first thing Dr. Chanard said being turned into a Cenobite?  Answer »
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