Hellraiser: Deader (2005) Review

 

A reporter in London discovers an underground group which can bring back the dead.

Hellraiser: Deader moves into resurrection and the possibility of returning from death, giving the series another interesting concept to play with. Kari Wuhrer leads as journalist Amy Klein, with Paul Rhys as Winter and Simon Kunz as Charles, while Doug Bradley returns as Pinhead.

Wuhrer is easily the film's strongest asset, giving Amy enough determination and vulnerability to carry what is an increasingly muddled story. Rick Bota returns to direct, and although the film has some effective moments, the narrative feels stretched and the connection to Hellraiser sometimes seems bolted on rather than naturally developed.

Vivi Dragan Vasile's cinematography gives the film a hazy, grimy European atmosphere, while Henning Lohner's score supplies an appropriately sinister backdrop. There are some good practical effects and enough blood to keep things moving, but Pinhead remains largely a supporting presence rather than the driving force.

There are dark pleasures here, but Deader is another example of how poorly the series was being served. The premise could have worked as its own supernatural horror film, while the Hellraiser elements feel increasingly like an obligation rather than the heart of the story.