Am I the only one that dosen’t consider Hellraiser to be a slasher film? Because let's be real, it isn't.
First of all, the creator, Clive Barker, didn't at all set out to make a slasher film. Second of all, body count points aren't the point of the story. The "final girl" isn't the type we usually see in the slasher franchise, and Pinhead is more of a force-of-nature type character that has an essential role in the afterlife. He's a Cenobite, a servant to Hell, and must inflict pain on those who dare open a Puzzle Box.
The Cenobites are called forth by properly manipulating a puzzle box, which is the main source of the terror in this film. They promise to gratify your deepest desires, but you can only imagine how enjoyable that is, given that the people who want to use the box in the first place are mostly thrill-seekers and carnal reprobates. They will gladly "tear your soul apart" and are vicious, menacing, along with unrelenting if the monsters have somewhat twisted motivations. It's basically a monster film.
I think the real reason behind why people classify it to be a slasher series is because of how the second film and onwards were handled. Including the fact that it was in an era where slasher films were regarded to be the most successful in terms of horror.
Pinhead sat at the vast organ of corpses and pipes, cracking his fingers before beginning to play. The pipes bellowed an awful sound as they echoed through out the chambers, accompanied by Leviathan’s grinding from not too far away. It was a horrid, deathening blow- but the Hell Priest was used to such pain.
“Tell me what I need to know to keep my successor safe.”
He demanded in his cold, steely voice that embodied authority. The mutilated corpses stared down at him, whispering among each other as their voices echoed off the walls. Finally, a feminine voice spoke out amongst the others.
“The truth will set her free, but lies can only keep your flesh here for so long until she discovers the truth. The source of her upcoming death needs to be snuffed out before it ignites itself ablaze into chaos.”
The voices started to whisper once more, mixed with Pinhead’s deathening silence as his true fears came to a startling reality. There was sudden abrupt silence as heels clicked against stone, and a pair of slender arms were suddenly wrapped around his waist as Bella rested her head against his chest. Swallowed his fears, his anger, and pain- Pinhead returned the gesture as he wrapped his arm around her.
“What brings you here? There are duties to be fulfilled and studies to complete.”
His once loud booming voice was now a soft monotone question. But he still held her close, as if afraid he’d lose her right then and there if his grip ever loosened. Of course, Bella was oblivious to this.
“I just….I missed you.”
Pinhead fell silent. He had been so caught up in the mess that he forgot about her….
Gently, he tilted her head up as brush a few tears away. Her crown of needles glimmered in candle lights as it illuminated her tear stained face. He was a pillar of safety for her, her rock….he kept everything she knew together, yet something didn’t feel right.
‘Tell her the truth and it will all unravel.’
‘Set her free, Hell Priest.’
The voices murmured to each other once more as they became a collective chant that could only be heard by his ears. He gathered the young cenobite into his arms, and sat her on his lap as he gently rocked her. Such tenderness was rare, even for them.
“Goodnight, my angel Time to close your eyes,
And save these questions for another day.”
His voice was deep but also soft as he gently sang to her, echoing once more through out the chasims as he held her to his chest.
“I think I know what you’ve been asking
me I think you know what I’ve been trying to say….”
He pressed his lips against her forehead.
“I promised I would never leave you.”
She closed her eyes, as Pinhead remembered when she was just a small, beaten little thing that clung to him.
“And you should always know Wherever you may go No matter where you are I never will be far away.”
Bell found herself falling into the warm darkness he created.
