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Terry Farrell, Doug Bradley, Paula Marshall, Kevin Bernhardt, Ashley Laurence ... see more see more... , Peter Boynton , Ken Carpenter , Aimee Leigh , Lawrence Mortorff , Brent Bolthouse , George Lee , Peter Atkins , Anthony Hickox , Bob Bragg , John Bush , Rob Treveiler , David Young

A sleazy nightclub owner purchases a strange, disturbing sculpture, which he soon discovers contains a mysterious, ornate puzzle box. This box is a legendary object that promises the secrets of ultima... read more read more...te pain and pleasure, but is in fact a gateway to hell. Soon the box's new owner has unleashed the evil Pinhead, a member of a race of supernatural beings known as Cenobites. Pinhead proceeds to murder numerous clubgoers in an attempt to gain power and fully free himself into the earthly realm. He faces unexpected opposition, however, from a television reporter investigating the mysterious club murders. When she discovers the truth behind the enigmatic puzzle box, she realizes that only she can stop the carnage. However, she must not only defeat Pinhead, but his fellow Cenobites, including the barbed-wire-wrapped Barbie and the horrific CD-Head. (Yes, CD-Head does indeed kill people by shooting CDs from his head.) Though this third entry in the Hellraiser series pays lip service to the intricate mythology of the first two films, especially through a series of flashbacks to Pinhead's human past, the film soon reverts to a fairly standard slasher formula. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Flixster Users

50% liked it

41,241 ratings

Critics

18% liked it

11 critics

R, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Anthony Hickox

Release Date: September 11, 1992

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DVD Release Date: June 25, 2001

Stats: 1,087 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,087)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    March 18, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Third entry in the Hellraiser series is a pretty decent film. With a pretty interesting idea for a film. Though not as strong as the first two, Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth is still a good enough entry in the series compared the last couple of entries. Pinhead still delivers pain ... read more& pleasure and terrifies his victims. Though at times lacking in direction, and somewhat unfocused; director Anthony Hickox does a decent job at delivering a third entry. Despite its flaws, the third Hellraiser might appeal to die-hard fans of the films. The film still has enough good elements to make it a watchable horror film, and unlike others in the series; this third film is a film worth watching. The filmmakers had enough ideas to make a good third entry, and the result is a decent to good film that if you loved the first two, then you might enjoy this film. Of course this is a step down from Hellbound: Hellraiser II, but it still delivers good, chilling elements. Though it has some interesting elements, the film feels tiresome compared to Hellbound, luckily the next sequel, Bloodline would be a much successful affair. But like I previously stated, this third entry is a decent one, but at times you see that the ideas falter on-screen, and the story ends up being so-so. Still entertaining despite its flaws, just don't expect a solid sequel such as Hellbound. Watch it by expecting something decent, and you'll most likely not be disappointed. A decent story and good terrifying elements that you'd expect from a Hellraiser film keep this from being a dud.
  • ajv2688
    October 17, 2011
    ajv2688
    I was really disappointed in this movie. The previous two in the series set up rules and boundaries, and then this movie goes and breaks all the rules. The function of the cube is even lost. I got really confused too, and I understood the other two perfectly. The ending made... read more the whole thing seem pointless as well. Overall, I didn't care for this one.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    April 17, 2011
    cancercapricorn2002
    The films 'Hellraiser' and 'Hellbound: Hellraiser II,' weren't like anything ever seen before. They were doors into new worlds. The end of II was an open ending, so it seemed only natural that more sequels come, and 4 years later we got one. But something had changed, and not nec... read moreessarily for the better. It was decided that Pinhead, otherwise known as the Lead Cenobite, would be the villain and given more to do this time around. On top of that a big studio, in this case Paramount, would be the new distributor and we all know what can happen sometimes when a big studio gets involved. If I'm making it sound like I hate 'Hellraiser III,' I don't, but like other fans I feel this is where the series began to lose it.

    I will as far as pace the movie moves right along. Good performances, the standout being Paula Marshall. The urban setting is a nice change of scenery. An OK score that mixes some classic 'Hellraiser' themes with some new stuff. Some really good special and visual effects. The war scenes are well done. Some excellent set pieces, my personal fave being the one in the club. Some pretty neat new Cenobites.
    I have a number of issues with the film that would take forever to go over but to just name a few of them, we have no real surprises or much we haven't already seen. Though Doug Bradley does a good job as both Pinhead and Captain Elliot Spencer, the fact that Pinhead is made the villain and given more screen time does make him a bit less scary and mysterious. The final confrontation is kind of disappointing.
    Though not at all a bad film, this second sequel to Clive Barker's ground breaking film is a step down from it's predecessors. As I said there's not much here fans haven't already seen and both Pinhead and the film are pretty much on the same level as other movie monsters of the time, which was never the idea. But still it's fun, has some style, and is far more interesting than some of the other sequels which became very hit and miss as the series went along.
  • ythelastman89
    November 18, 2009
    ythelastman89
    Not quite as good as the previous two, but it still has the torture elements that make it fun. Pinhead got more screen time, which was nice. However, the other cenobites were excluded in this, who are just as amazing as him. It does have a good story and it was a nice little stan... read mored-alone piece, I just felt there was something missing.
  • SirPant
    September 29, 2009
    SirPant
    I enjoyed the comedy cenobites, particularly CD mouth and Camera head but all in all, this is a crap film with no story and worse acting. The effects/gore couldn't make up for it unfortunately although they are good in places.
  • matertenebraum
    May 1, 2009
    matertenebraum
    Ah, 'Hell on Earth'? another gem, solely for having Doug on screen more than most. But it was enjoyable for other reasons, too. I never even noticed that Pete Atkins snuck in there as the bartender who becomes Barbie the Cenobite! And of course the back-story on Elliott was a tre... read moreat.

    Everyone really did a fantastic job in this one, too, with playing their characters to the hilt. Even the little ditzy blonde that J.P. lures to bed only to end up a McCenobite snack. Yeah, she was a talking stereotype, but she was 100% into it. She is also a study in how clueless women often act, sad to say. They believe what they want to, ignoring the facts of life and getting hurt ? or in this case munched down without sauce. Another little bit of psychology tossed in, and I love it every time they do it. In that scene, there is a quote that I rarely hear cited in any 'favorite quotes' thread, but it's a great one: "Their wealth was so tempting, their affection so conditional, what could you do?" Dr. Pinhead is in. Face it, he'd make a great therapist, even if the couch might have nails sticking out of it. Of course my personal favorite quote is also in this scene: "Flesh. Power. Dominion." But I'm not going to explain why. =) It was great to read that Doug had gotten to play with the make-up for the second crew's director, applying the wound effects on the guy that Camerahead stabs his lens through. Doug tells us in his book that he was just standing around on set when the crew turned out to be short-handed and he stepped up to help. Now whenever I watch that scene I think, "There's Doug's handiwork!" The main thing that bugged me about this film was Joey falling for Pinhead's trick of showing up as her father. Not a problem with the movie, it's just one of those 'scream at the screen' moments. How can she be so stupid? But hey, that's our clueless women believing what they want to phenomenon kicking in again! (Not to pick on women - men do it, too). ;) And I know he doesn't believe it, but the bit where Doug says the word 'unstoppable'? It's not messed up. I watched it again a few times (as directed) and never heard a thing wrong with it. That's at least two against one?. *wink*
  • bbcfloridabound
    February 14, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    This is the 3rd Film in the Hellraiser Series, and the rarest of the bunch, just try and find it, and see the price for a new copy. Got mine in a pawn shop. It just gets better and better with each film in the hellraiser series, thought I was slightly disappointed in the demons i... read moren Hellraiser 2, notice I said slightly. Hellraiser 3 makes up for it 3 times over. The demons are just out of this world (haha). The special effects are incredible, and I can only wish I never run into anything like these guys in my dreams. They are horrifying. And who ever dreams up these demons is gifted with a fantastic mind. While watching this you should at least shutter once. A Must for the collection. On to Hell Raiser 4.
  • Stinger839
    July 7, 2008
    Stinger839
    This is my favorite of the Hellraisers so far (I'm through 4:Bloodline) because I am most pleased with this script and story. But it seems I had to forsake a bit of gore and effects quality in return for the improved editing and script. The cinematography is less cheeky, has some... read more great moments of simple camera and lighting montage achievements, nothing else in fx needed but for Pinhead's costume and makeup. Actually the more I think on it, I take back what I said about the effects. There are a few shots repeated from the second movie, which those are shit, but the bar massacre, trench of dead soldiers, and Pinhead scuplture in this one are all awesome feats of the production crew/art department. I LOVE the army of Cenobites, though I can see how one might get sentimental about The Chatterer's absence.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    July 8, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    A cool Hellraiser movie centering around the rotating pillar of hooks and chains, with attached body parts which have been torn off victims. This pillar solidifies into a seeming work of art, which a night club owner purchases. Soon Hell will emerge, as the pillar demands blood. ... read more

    A TV reporter investigates strange goings-on at the night club and the weird patient admitted to the hospital with hooks and chains imbedded in his flesh. The reporter takes in a gothic street girl.

    There's an eerie flashback to Pinhead's wicked wartime beginnings.

    After an awesome scene where a girl's skin is ripped off, the evil is unleashed, in a huge nightclub slaughter scene - it's amazingly done. Then the cenobyte demons take the slaughter to the streets, where the reporter has a showdown with Pinhead.

    This is all the Hell on Earth we're gonna get. The ending promises a giant Hellraiser cube made into an office tower, which sorta comes true in part 4 of the series. I felt they were getting further away from the original pleasure-pain temptation premise the original established; and going into muddled dark fantasy ramblings where Elm Street movies tend to go.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 22, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    the end was rediculous

View All Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth Reviews

Critic Reviews

Tim Brayton
August 23, 2011
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

A leaden, but not especially wretched example of early-'90s body horror...As the third Hellraiser, though, Hell on Earth is beyond worthless. Full Review

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

It really doesn't get any better from here... Full Review

Rob Vaux
March 18, 2007
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium

Try to defend it. I dare you.

Jeffrey M. Anderson
November 3, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

A step above the standard slasher flick and comes with some unusual ideas (along with some silly ones). Full Review

Scott Weinberg
October 5, 2006
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com

Arguably the weakest of the trilogy, but still packing just enough brains and red meat to keep the Pinfans sated. Full Review

Kevin A. Ranson
September 8, 2003
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com

Pinhead, indeed.

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Richard Harrington
January 1, 2000
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

September 11, 1992
Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

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  • which movie did this come from? 1st person: "father,father help me" 2nd: "why what is it my child?" 1st: "you've got to help me theres a demon chasing me" 2nd: "calm down my child heres no such things as demons" 1st: "THEN WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!"  Answer »
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