It’s a birthday tradition here at the madhouse! To celebrate turning 41, Brian is taking a trip to the abyss with one of his all-time favorites: the 1988 gothic nightmare, Hellbound: Hellraiser II. We’re dissecting everything from the surreal labyrinth of hell to why it stands as the gold standard for horror sequels.
Guest
We are joined by acclaimed cinema writer and editor at Collider, Robert Brian Taylor. Robert is a card-carrying member of the Pittsburgh Film Critics Association and a true student of the genre. You can follow his work and find his latest profiles at rbtwrites.com or catch his latest takes on Bluesky and Instagram.
What We Cover
- A birthday descent into Hellbound
- Why the Hellraiser franchise keeps losing its way
- The sterile pleasures of the Hulu reboot
- The sequel that blows open Clive Barker’s world
- Julia claims her place as Hellbound’s true queen
Brian and Robert get into the weeds on why the Hellraiser series struggled so hard to recapture the grimy, pervy, and utterly brilliant aesthetic of the first two films. We tackle the “Dimension Films problem,” the bizarre sterility of the 2022 Hulu reboot, and why Hellbound remains the only sequel that actually respects the source material’s original vision.
SPOILER WARNING: We hold nothing back. We are discussing the ending, the rise of the Hell Pillar, and the fate of Julia Cotton in full detail.
Verdict: Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer who’s only seen the Cenobites on a t-shirt, Hellbound: Hellraiser II is a masterclass in gothic horror world-building that demands a rewatch. 🎈
Pull up a chair, watch your step around the chains, and hit play to listen now! ⛓️💀
Next time: We’re switching gears to something a little more meta as we tackle 2002’s Adaptation.