The time has come to close the book on our anniversary month. Although we had plenty of fun discussing films like Scream 2, Hostel: Part II, All Cheerleaders Die and The Boy Next Door, Trace and I are ready to move on to our birthday month picks.
I’m up first and I’m incredibly excited to finally discuss the ambitious, but troubled Hellraiser: Bloodline (aka the one in space). Split across three timelines and marred by studio interference (cough The Weinsteins cough), Hellraiser 4 is both a prequel and a sequel. The film details the events that led to the creation of the Lemarchand Configuration and the battle for humanity in 18th century France, present-day 1996 New York and space in 2127.
The Alan Smithee-directed (actually Kevin Yagher) film boasts fascinating a new female villain, Angelique (Valentine Vargas) who spars with the always verbose Pinhead (Doug Bradley), a variety of bad wigs – one sported by none other than Adam Scott! – and some super shoddy space sets. But it’s the film’s complicated production history and an audacious longer cut that’s truly fascinating.
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Episode 59 – Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)
Anniversary month is dead! Long live Birthday month!
To get the ball rolling, Joe has selected a terrible (read: great) film from his beloved Hellraiser franchise. Of course, he opted for the fourth film – the one in space! – directed by none other than fake DGA moniker Alan Smithee (actually FX master Kevin Yagher).
Folks, we have yet another super complicated production timeline, including a rumoured 112 min cut, multiple directors and reshoots that completely alter the film’s meaning. And yet…there’s still so much fascinating stuff mixed in with the hot garbage, including a compelling battle of the sexes, a bizarre (immediately discarded) trans mention and an actress that Trace is CONVINCED is secretly Noomi Rapace.
Strap in for Pinhead quips, the return of Meryl (Kim Myers) and Joe’s impassioned defense of the film and, by extension, the Hellraiser franchise. It’s a birthday miracle!
Cross out Hellraiser: Bloodline!
Coming up on Wednesday: We’re kicking off our Women in Horror Month coverage with the confounding and confusing killer “lesbian” roommate erotic thriller, Single White Female.
– Joe & Trace
P.S. Be sure to check out all of our online articles right here and prepare yourself for a new one in the next few weeks on 1971’s Doctor Jekyll and Sister Hyde.
P.P.S. As an added bonus, if you subscribe to our Patreon you can listen a 40-minute minisode detailing the winners of the 2020 Hereditaries (Horror awards), as well as a full-length episode on Oz Perkins’ Gretel & Hansel.
