In Hellraiser, people are subjected to the extremes of pain and pleasure. Solving a mysterious puzzle box summons the Cenobites, a race of demons. They were once humans but have long since lost the ability to discern between these two opposite experiences. As such, they are always on the lookout for humans who have yet to be fully corrupted to bring back to their dimension and be tortured for eternity.
Their leader Pinhead, whose name is derived from the numerous nails that are embedded in his head, is a unique feature in the horror movie villain canon. His sadistic nature is made all the more unnerving by his eloquence. Pinhead will cut you to ribbons while waxing poetic about his passion for sadomasochism.
Recently, it was announced that there would be yet another installment in the Hellraiser franchise. Though it will share the same name as the original movie, its director David Bruckner has assured potential audiences that the film will not be a remake. However, it's entirely impossible that this upcoming picture will be able to capture the unique spirit of enthralling, gory content that made the original movie so compelling.
The Last Few Hellraisers Haven't Raised Hell Among the Fan Base 
2022's Hellraiser will represent the eleventh installment in the franchise. Very few films have ever had this many sequels. Despite the plethora of new stories that have been told, there has been talk of a reboot for some time, though it was stuck in development hell (if one can excuse the pun) until Hulu acquired the rights to a remake in 2021. A fresh look at the story is all but essential at this point, as there are many reasons to believe that the series' best days are behind it.
The unique torture devices and plot lines featured throughout the franchise have given it a special place in the hearts of die-hard horror film fans. However, some of the more recent movies haven't been the recipient of all that much critical acclaim. In 2018, for example, Hellraiser: Judgment was released, and critics lambasted the film for perceived misogyny, as well as an all-around unsatisfying storyline. Despite these poor reviews, many folks believe that the 2018 film was one of the better installments of the series, some of which, likely the grammatically questionable Hellworld: Deader, were released straight to video.
Though the cinema has been under extreme duress as an institution in recent years, passionate moviegoers are always on the lookout for a familiar (in this case, nail-studded) face. If Hellraiser 2022 can inspire even decent returns at the box office, it could be a major boon for the franchise.
A Female Antagonist (and Protagonist) Could Reinvigorate the Hellraiser Formula 
In the upcoming film, Pinhead will have a whole new look. The Cenobite ruler will be portrayed by Jamie Clayton, which will mark the first instance of a woman taking on the role in the history of the franchise. This makes sense, given the fact that the film, though it is technically a reboot, will not be an exact remake. The decision to go with a female antagonist could bring about many changes to the story, as the sexual dynamics of the Cenobite's graphic torture methods have long made audiences uncomfortable.
Given the fact that the recently released Hellraiser: Judgment was critiqued for being sexist, it makes sense that the filmmakers would decide to change the series' oftentimes problematic gender roles. When Pinhead tortures her victims, though it will obviously still be brutal and unpleasant, it will not seem quite so centered around sickening, toxically masculine fantasies.
The primary protagonist of Hellraiser 2022 will also be a woman, which will be a welcome addition to a generally male-centric series and a callback to the original film. Additionally, early information about the film has suggested that the protagonist will be struggling with addiction. This could add an interesting dynamic to the plot, as addiction serves well as a metaphor for the perils of linking pain and pleasure, a pervasive theme in the franchise.
One thing is certain about the upcoming Hellraiser 2022; it will be gory, violent, bloody, and sure to stretch the limits of its R-rating. It's unclear where the franchise may be in its life cycle. It could, like those who unwittingly solve the magic puzzle box, be doomed to die a painful death, or it could possibly, like the Cenobites themselves, simply be in a sort of purgatory, ready at a moment's notice to make its dramatic entry back into the world. Will the film represent yet another flop for the franchise, or will the new format, rife with new characters and a unique storyline, raise it from the dead?
Hellraiser 2022 is set to be released exclusively for Hulu viewers on October 7th.