Hellraiser 6: Hellseeker (2002)

This sixth entry to the series can basically be summed up in the following. If you liked “Inferno”, with it’s emphasis on a very surreal vibe and not having much to do with the previous films, you’ll more than likely get a kick out of this one. The format is exactly the same as the previous film; lots of trippy stuff going on, flashbacks galore, and Pinhead popping up on occasion just to prove this is really a “Hellraiser” flick.

Kirsty (yes, that Kirsty) and her husband Trevor get into a car accident which leaves cute Kirsty dead, and Trevor alive but suffering from some very bad headaches causing some very bad hallucinations. We later find out that Kirsty is now presumed missing since there is no body, and the cops are looking at Trevor as the main suspect. If you’ve seen the previous film you’ll know right away why Trevor is having all these weird hallucinations. This one had even more of a hallucinatory vibe than “Inferno” which typically worked for the film but also got to be a tad annoying at times. The cool thing is that you never really know what the hell is happening, and the film throws lots of neat little plot twists at you, especially at the end when you think you have it all figured out.

The violence in the film is of the usual “Hellraiser” variety, though not overly gory. I really enjoyed the opening brain surgery scene, and the “Pinhead nail through Trevor’s throat” bit…very cool. It was also great to see sexy Ashley Laurence back as Ms. Kirsty Cotton, even though she’s pretty much just a supporting character. I’m sure many fans of the series enjoyed seeing her and Pinhead together again after all these years…I know I was. As for the Prince of Pain himself, the character works well again thanks to the limited screen time he is given. Lot’s of fans bitched about Pinhead’s reduced screen time in the last film, but I feel it’s really the only way the character can work anymore. Also keep your peepers peeled for the Chatterer Cenobite who pops up for about two seconds. Again, as with “Inferno”, the mystery of the box and the Cenobites are relegated to the sidelines, of which half the fans of the series enjoy and the other half hate. While it would be cool to see more of the box and stuff, I’m not sure that the series could work anymore in that regard. In my opinion parts five and six had tons more style and better storylines than three and four. I always get a kick out of weird, hallucinatory films and this one is definitely that. Should be interesting to see if they continue this approach with the next installment. For those who bitched about not enough true “Hellraiser” stuff going on, rent the DVD and watch the extra scenes. I’m not sure why these scenes were cut, but they really help to explain a lot in terms of story if you were at all confused. (dir: Rick Bota)