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| Hellraiser 2022 - Source: Hulu |
"A young woman struggling with addiction comes into possession of an ancient puzzle box, unaware that its purpose is to summon the Cenobites." - IMDB
Possible Spoilers Hereafter
Hellraiser is a 2022 film directed by David Bruckner. As with all other Hellraiser films, it finds its origin in Clive Barker's horror novella, The Hellbound Heart (1986). Hellraiser (hereafter, "HR") is not connected to any other movies in the HR franchise, (though it is described as being the eleventh installment). It is instead a reboot that uses some of Barker's original characters (The "Cenobites") while adding a completely new cast and storyline.
I've watched most of the HR movies multiple times, and I've seen HR 2022 several times. Honestly, I think it's a good movie. It's nothing like the 1987 film but it's not supposed to be. It's not even like Clive Barker's original novella, but, again, it's not supposed to be. HR 2022 stands on its own in the horror genre. Some don't like it, and some do. I do.
LeMarchand, Lament Configuration, and Other Details
A common plot device in the HR movies is the LeMarchand box, a puzzle box created by Philip LeMarchand. LeMarchand is described, at various points, as either a mass murderer or a (mostly) kind gentleman toymaker.
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| Lament Configuration - Author's Collection |
"A LeMarchand's box is a mystical/mechanical device that acts as a door — or a key to a door — to another dimension or plane of existence." - Wikipedia
In the original HR movies, whoever solved the puzzle box summoned and was at the mercy of the Cenobites, entities who have been described as unable to recognize the difference between pleasure and torture. In the words of one Cenobite, they are "angels to some and demons to others."
In the new movie, solving a portion of the puzzle results in a small blade springing from within the box. It pierces the hand or other body part where it will draw blood. After this, the Cenobites come to claim the one whose blood was spilled. The box is used, at one point, to pierce the Chatterer Cenobite, after which he is pulled apart by The Priest's chains.
Philip LeMarchand, who created the puzzle box, also gave it one of its names: The LeMarchand Configuration. It also came to be called the Lament Configuration.
In HR (2022) the puzzle box has several "stages" and each stage's configuration progresses to a final point when the puzzle is completed. It is then possible for the possessor of the box to choose a "gift" from the Cenobites (or the Cenobite deity called Leviathan). Each gift has a specific name:
• The Lament (Life) Configuration
• Lore (Knowledge)
• Laudarant (Love)
• Liminal (Sensation)
• Lazarus (Resurrection)
• Leviathan (Power)
Characters (Cenobites) In Hellraiser 2022
Jamie Clayton, The Priest. Known throughout fandom as "Pinhead," Clayton is the leader of the Cenobites. She is the first female Priest in the series.
Jason Liles, The Chatterer. A fan favorite from the previous movies, he is one of only two characters that have previously appeared in the HR movies, the other being Pinhead.
Selena Lo, The Gasp.
Gorica Regodic, The Mother.
Yinka Olorunnife, The Weeper.
Zachary Hing, The Asphyx.
Vukasin Jovanovic, The Masque.
Characters (Main Cast, Humans) In Hellraiser 2022
Odessa A'zion as Riley, the main character. I was surprised to see such a young person in the show. I hadn't heard of her. I discovered that she had once dated Jaden Smith. She does a good job in the movie.
Adam Faison as Colin. The boyfriend of Matt, Riley's brother. Faison is openly gay. The film is very open to utilizing LGBQT+ characters.
Drew Starkey as Trevor, Riley's boyfriend.
Aoife Hinds as Nora, Matt and Colin's roommate.
Brandon Flynn as Matt. He is Riley's brother and Colin's boyfriend. The actor is another who is openly gay.
Goran Visnjic as Voight. A billionaire in pursuit of pleasure, he becomes the victim of the Cenobites and will do anything to restore himself to good health.
Hiam Abbass as Menaker, Voight's lawyer and representative. She is a Palestinian actress who falls victim to the Cenobites.
Credits For The Hellraiser Poster:
Hulu Poster Source:
http://www.impawards.com/2022/hellraiser.html
Wikipedia:
