The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy

This volume explores not only the cinematic interpretations of the Hellraiser mythos but also its intrusion into other artistic and cultural forms. Beginning with the unconventional sources of Clive Barker's inspiration, the book follows Barker from his pre?Hellraiser cinematic experience through the filming of the horror classic. It examines various themes (such as the undermining of the traditional family unit and the malleability of the flesh) found throughout the film series and the ways in which the representation of these themes changes from film to film. The religious aspects of the films are also discussed. Characters central to the franchise?and the mythos?are examined in detail. Included is a foreword by actor Doug Bradley, who portrayed the infamous Pinhead.