Top 10 Brutal Pinhead Kills in Hellraiser
#10: Parker
“Hellraiser: Bloodline” (1996) The last entry to be released theatrically, “Hellraiser: Bloodline” is an odd one, taking place in the 18th, 20th and 22nd centuries. But if there’s one thing Pinhead proves, it’s that evil knows no time… or space. In the future storyline, the Cenobites are summoned aboard a space station designed after the infamous puzzle box. Parker, one of the guards aboard the ship, is fooled into releasing the demons further thinking he’s saving a small girl. He blasts open the door to find the scattered remains of a robot, only to be greeted by Pinhead who’s more than eager to scatter his remains as well.
#9: Kate Bradley
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“Hellraiser: Revelations” (2011) “Hellraiser: Revelations” was the first installment not to feature Doug Bradley in the role of Pinhead. While his presence will always be missed, the franchise at least ensured fans that brutal Pinhead kills weren’t going anywhere. At its heart, “Revelations” is a family movie, and by “family movie” we mean two parents’ infidelity causing two families to be tormented by a slew of interdimensional demons. Why, what did you think we meant? Anyway, there’s more face-swapping and plot machinations than we can detail here, but it all comes to a head when Pinhead and the gang arrive to punish the guilty parties, starting with cheating mother Kate. Sheesh, turns out more than her secret was exposed.
#8: Derrick
“Hellraiser: Hellworld” (2005) This one technically isn’t old Pinhead’s doing, but since it’s made to look like it, we figured we might as well keep it. The plot of this meta installment in the franchise follows five active players of a “Hellraiser” video game. When they’re lured to the house of their fallen friend’s father, they’re dosed with a potent psychedelic, which leads to their brutally realistic demises. In Derrick’s experience, a lost inhaler sends him into the basement to retrieve it. However Pinhead soon reminds him he won’t need an inhaler without a head. Hooked chains will always be Pinhead’s signature weapon, but seeing him use a cleaver here is a breath of fresh air. Too soon?
#7: John Merchant
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“Hellraiser: Bloodline” (1996) Remember the whole centuries-spanning storylines we mentioned earlier? Well, they all more or less center on three men all descending from one bloodline, hence the title. While they’re all played by the same actor, the present day segment’s John Merchant feels like the closest thing we have to a main protagonist, so color our surprise when he gets taken out in a grisly manner. With John’s potential to destroy Hell, Pinhead teams up with another demon, Angelique, to stamp out the threat for good. There’s some double-crossing here and there, but Pinhead gets the job done anyway, eviscerating and detaching John’s neck. Still, John’s wife and son survive, ensuring the bloodline will continue on.
#6: Sandy
“Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth” (1992) The third “Hellraiser” is where Pinhead really comes into his own; it all starts with an unsuspecting sacrifice named Sandy. The beginning of the film sees Pinhead trapped within the Pillar of Souls, needing blood to escape. The pillar’s owner, J. P. Monroe - whom we’ll be getting back to soon - brings home Sandy from the club. After their tryst, J. P. has Sandy feeling used. Her anger causes her to unknowingly back up into the pillar, where Pinhead decides to use her body for a decidedly different purpose. Aside from the 90s CGI of Sandy soul being sucked into the pillar, this death manages to be shocking for just how savage and carnal it all is.
#5: Joseph Thorne
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“Hellraiser: Inferno” (2000) Another main character, Joseph Thorne is a detective who begins looking into a murder surrounding the mysterious puzzle box. Only, Thorne doesn’t have the strongest constitution, and he begins to unravel as the box’s contents start to seep into his waking life, or so it seems. Throughout the film, Thorne has multiple sessions with his psychiatrist to deal with his horrifying visions. Only it’s eventually revealed that the bulk of the movie’s been a fantasy, and that Pinhead and the psychiatrist are now one in the same. The movie ends with Pinhead giving Thorne quite the facelift, promising to subject him to endless torture in Hell.
#4: J. P. Monroe
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“Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth” (1992) Yep, you can’t have a horror movie character like J. P. Monroe and not expect him to get his comeuppance. After Sandy’s demise, J. P. agrees to bring Pinhead more flesh in exchange for things only a demon can promise. Proving all’s fair in love and war, J. P. next tries to sacrifice his ex-girlfriend Terri, only it doesn’t go quite as smoothly, as Pinhead instead strikes up a deal with her in exchange for J. P. Pinhead absolutely eviscerates the club owner, sending two pistons through his head and absorbing all the blood he needs to be free. Still, it wouldn’t be the last we’d see of J. P., as he’s then turned into a Cenobite himself, appropriately named Pistonhead.
#3: Mark & Michael
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“Hellraiser: Bloodline” (1996) Twins Mark and Michael are two characters who also find themselves turned into Cenobites. It’s arguable whether or not they actually “die,” but it’s plenty painful and they’re definitely not living in the usual sense anymore, so we’re including it. Security guards for John Merchant’s exhibit, Mark and Michael come across Pinhead and Angelique, only they don’t give them the warmest welcome. Seeing as Mark and Michael never want to be apart, Pinhead obliges by performing some experimental surgery. He melds their faces together in a gross display of violence and creativity. And honestly, the resulting Siamese Twins Cenobites are a couple of the most disturbing the franchise has to offer.
#2: Clubgoers
“Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth” (1992) Technically, Pinhead is one of the most prolific killers in horror movie history. While he otherwise only averages about three kills per outing, he racks up nearly 250 in this scene alone. After J. P. and Terri facilitate Pinhead’s release, he does what any newly free man would do by hitting the club. Only his idea of fun is way, way different. In an awesome display of power, Pinhead dispatches individuals left and right, and in the kind of creative ways you wouldn’t think up even in your worst nightmares. Not one to waste good flesh, though, Pinhead makes sure to recycle some of his victims as Cenobites, from the barbed wired bartender to the CD guy. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Chain of Fools, “Hellraiser: Deader” (2005) This Really Is the Most Economical Way to Hack & Slash Jophiel, “Hellraiser: Judgment” (2018) Even Angels Aren’t Exempt From Pinhead’s Wrath Trevor Gooden, “Hellraiser: Hellseeker” (2002) Worst Acupuncture Ever Police Officer, “Hellraiser: Hellworld” (2005) Sure, Cops Die in Movies, but What Did the Walkie-Talkie Do to Deserve This? David & Alison Carter, “Hellraiser: Judgment” (2018) Till Death Do They Get Taken Apart
#1: Frank Cotton
“Hellraiser” (1987) Maybe Pinhead’s right. Maybe he’s just a misunderstood angel trying to bring an alternative type of pleasure to an unappreciative world. If that’s true, then the undeniably most despicable villain of the franchise has to be Frank Cotton. The uncle of the main protagonist, Frank schemes to have several people killed, including his own brother, just so he can regenerate and assume the latter’s identity. He’s the epitome of lust and greed, so it proves endlessly satisfying when his niece Kirsty leads him right into the clutches of the Cenobites. In proper Pinhead fashion, he fastens a slew of hooks to Frank’s face and body and makes sure nothing recognizable of him remains. Rest in pieces.
