Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) Movie Review

Hellbound: Hellraiser II explores the characters’ motivations further, but doesn’t quite manage to deliver the same level of scares as the first film.

Director: Tony Randel

Writer: Peter Atkins, Clive Barker (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Clare Higgins (Ready Player One)
  • Ashley Laurence
  • Kenneth Cranham (Valkyrie)
  • Imogen Boorman
  • Sean Chapman (The Fourth Protocol)

Following the terrifying events of the first Hellraiser film, Kirsty is admitted to a hospital. There, the doctor in charge, who is fascinated by the occult, brings Julia back to life and accidentally opens the door to the Cenobites and their horrifying realm.

Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Hellbound: Hellraiser II picks up with Kirsty (Laurence) trying to cope after the terrifying events of the first movie. Meanwhile, Doctor Channard (Cranham) researches the case and inadvertently revives Julia (Higgins). Together, they work to fully restore Julia, unknowingly unleashing a new wave of evil upon the world.

Okay, so Kirsty’s finding herself in a seriously scary situation, trying to protect herself from this relentless evil. But Julia? She’s learned from her mistakes and is way more prepared for Kirsty this time around. Honestly, that means things are about to get brutal. This showdown with the Cenobites isn’t just dangerous, it’s going to be a whole lot deadlier than anything we’ve seen before.

Verdict on Hellbound: Hellraiser II

Recap

The film continues the story after the first one, showing Kirsty trying to recover. However, her doctor, fascinated by the supernatural, brings Julia back to life. This sets Julia on a new, dangerous mission for the Cenobites, bringing their terror back to Earth.

Best Parts

The visual effects remain incredibly impressive, powerfully illustrating the terrifying events of the story. The film also explores what draws people to the Cenobites, and that aspect is compelling to watch.

Worst Parts

The movie has a visually appealing surface, but it doesn’t deliver the expected level of suspense. It also tends to skim over important plot details and seems reluctant to move past characters whose stories feel complete.

Final ThoughtsHellbound: Hellraiser II is a bloody sequel with more lure, but fewer scares.

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2026-02-11 15:38