Editorials
Here’s How to Fix ‘Hellraiser’…And You’re Not Going to Like It
The Hellraiser films are a tragic franchise. While Friday the 13th made sure the kills kept climbing and A Nightmare on Elm Street returned to its roots (a lá Wes Craven’s New Nightmare), the Hellraiser series descended into direct-to-video sequel oblivion, each one becoming progressively worse. Hell, with the news that Halloween is no longer at Dimension, that means we’ll even get to see possible new approaches to Michael Myers.
But when it comes to our friendly neighborhood Cenobites, we’ve been languishing in pits of despair so great that not even Pinhead would subject his victims to such suffering. And there’s a problem there. These movies have a rich mythology behind them thanks to esteemed author/creator Clive Barker and we deserve films that honor the amount of work that went into creating that world.
Now, I have an idea on how we can bring the franchise back from the dead, back into a state of grace where imaginations can flow as freely as a freshly severed artery. But as with any such radical idea, there must be a sacrifice and I have a feeling that many of you aren’t going to like my suggestion. Jesus wept, remember?
In order to create a new series of Hellraiser films, ones that will challenge audiences as well as filmmakers; the series needs to let go of Pinhead. No, I’m not joking here. Pinhead is the biggest crutch that the series continues to rely on and he’s also entirely unnecessary in terms of continuing the story.
Let’s think about this, okay? The Lemarchand Box was created in the late 18th century, as shown in Hellraiser: Bloodline. Upon its first use, it summoned Angelique, who’s a rather unpleasant character in and of herself. However, her techniques are quite different from Pinhead’s. Instead of embracing pain and suffering as her tenets, she prefers the methods of temptation. It’s obviously effective and she still isn’t afraid to get to the heart of the matter, quite literally.
So, we’ve had the box as a gateway to Hell for over 200 years. It’s only in 1921 that Captain Elliot Spenser opens the box and becomes the latest human-turned-Cenobite. That means that there’s still 150-ish years of possible Cenobites that have caused suffering and carnage. And that’s not even taking into account that Hell has been around for a very, very long time, which means there are other demonic entities that are all about feasting on souls.
To further this point, Doug Bradley himself told Fangoria in the May 1989 issue, “I don’t see him as the first Cenobite. Of the four we know about, he is the leader, but the Cenobites have been around for centuries. To me, Pinhead is the chief Cenobite of the 20th Century…”
In fact, never have we been told that Pinhead is the ultimate Cenobite. In Hellbound: Hellraiser 2, Dr. Channard as a Cenobite not only defeated Pinhead but the other three lieutenants as well, Chatterer, Butterball, and Female Cenobite (I wish Barbie Wilde had an actual Cenobite name but this is apparently canon).
What this tells me is that there are other Cenobites that are just as powerful, if not more so, than Pinhead. And that fascinates me. That intrigues me. That makes me want to know more about them. So why not use them as the foundations for future Hellraiser films? Just look at the teaser for Hellraiser: Origins and tell me you’re not pumped about that world being fleshed out (pun absolutely intended).
Look, Pinhead has never been the central character in these films. Sure, he’s an interesting one but other Cenobites could be, if given the same screen time and attention as he receives. Plus, when they replaced Doug Bradley, the horror community rioted. It was nearly the same as when the Nightmare on Elm Street remake came along and they said Robert Englund wasn’t going to reprise Freddy. So why even bother? Get away from Pinhead altogether and show us what other sights Hell has to offer!
What are your thoughts? Am I onto something here or should I open the Lament Configuration and rid myself of this world? Tell me in the comments!
Editorials
‘The Vampire Lestat’ Concert Event Launches New Season With The Ultimate Expression Of Fandom
There are thousands of passionate fans decked out in gothic chic and champing at the bit like feral creatures. They’re screaming for Lestat, a legendary vampire-turned-rock star, as if the entire crowd has been glamored into submission.
The entire experience is magic, but not because some supernatural thrall has been activated. What’s going on is even more special. It’s the power of the effusive fandom that’s been authentically assembled by AMC’s sublime Immortal Universe, namely Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, now, The Vampire Lestat.
The Vampire Lestat is far from the first Anne Rice adaptation, and it’s not as if there’s been a lack of erotic vampire material for audiences to sink their teeth into. On June 2nd, during a one-night-only spectacle, New York City’s prestigious Beacon Theatre shook from Sam Reid’s bravado performance and an audience full of adoring fans who had already memorized Lestat’s songs.
It’s clear that The Vampire Lestat just hits differently than its predecessors. It’s become more than just a TV series at this point, and this opulent display of ego, swagger, and pure sex is the perfect way to premiere the new season and give back to the fans who helped make Interview with the Vampire/The Vampire Lestat such a breakout success. It’s exactly the sort of hyperbolized hedonism that would make Lestat cackle.
For all intents and purposes, AMC has successfully created the illusion that this concert/premiere is just one of the many destinations on Lestat and his band’s 54-stop tour that is simultaneously playing out on this season of television. It’s such a sophisticated and thorough level of interactive fan engagement that the audience doesn’t just understand, but also manages to accentuate through its involvement.
It’s a level of seamless synergy that’s not unlike the give-and-take relationship of vampire and victim.
Before the concert started, “LeStans” were sitting in the Beacon and flipping through a fake Rolling Stone issue with Lestat emblazoned on the cover, complete with interviews with the undead frontman inside. Other fans were admiring the vinyl pressing of Lestat’s EP as they walked past a section of undead band merch. Fandom and fantasy blur together, and it all becomes this elaborate, immersive experience. Fan celebration, erotic gothic fantasy, and a lavish rock concert transform into one beautiful thing.
To this point, AMC Global Media’s Chief Content Officer and President of AMC Studios, Dan McDermott, introduced the event by reiterating to fans, “You are the heartbeat of the series.” That’s abundantly clear on nights like this as that heartbeat collectively pulses to this performance. In terms of how AMC engages with The Vampire Lestat’s fans, it’s as bold a reinvention as the season itself.
This intuitive gamble speaks to AMC’s creativity in this department and a fandom that is eager to seize such opportunities. It’s the same innovation that led to zombie walks for The Walking Dead and real-life Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant pop-ups from Breaking Bad. It’s a great way to pump up the audience for The Vampire Lestat and then maintain that enthusiasm for the whole season.
For most series, a rock ‘n’ roll concert just doesn’t make any sense as a promotional tool. The Vampire Lestat finds itself in a very unique position where it can deliver an excellent concert at an iconic theater, but also use it to showcase The Vampire Lestat’s music by Daniel Hart (who was shredding on stage alongside Reid and the rest of their band) and, more than anything, Sam Reid’s endless charisma.
The way in which Reid feeds off of the crowd’s energy, modulating his performance and giving different sections of the Beacon life, is a perfect distillation of the series’ thoughtful relationship with its audience and how it’s become such a breakout success for AMC. AMC Studios President Dan McDermott emphasized that the fans are the reason that the show is still here and why an event like this is even possible. It’s rare to see a series in which every single cog in the machine is so perfectly attuned to its fans. Reid’s fans already cheer whenever they see him, so why not translate that to a concert setting?
It’s clear in this season of television that Reid was born to be a rock star, but it’s surreal to see him effortlessly command the stage — and the audience — at every step of the concert. He recites Shakespeare monologues and bitches out Armand between songs, all while the audience screams in support. For the duration of this concert, Reid is Lestat, and he’s given thousands of fans a memory that’s as immortal as any vampire.
Now bring on the encore and get this show on the road!
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