One of the most awarded horror writers of all time, Clive Barker has cultivated a lasting legacy in the field. His works have influenced the fiction, films, paintings, and video games of countless creators, with characters and imagery that effortlessly stand out in their competitive field.
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While Pinhead and his torturous puzzle box are easily Barker’s most famous and recognizable creations, the author’s many contributions to literature and film don’t end there. Many of the author’s short stories and novels have been adapted to the big screen. Clive Barker’s unique brand of horror fuses violence and sensuality with deep philosophical and social themes, creating fiction all its own. Here are some of the best Clive Barker movies.
7The Midnight Meat Train
Based on Barker’s short story of the same name,The Midnight Meat Trainis one of the most underrated entries in Clive Barker’s film canon. It’s the story of a photographer’s attempts totrack down a serial killer,featuring a surprising but compelling performance by Bradley Cooper. Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura and starring a strong cast, the film makes stylish work of a so-so script.
One of the most important elements of any horror project is its atmosphere, andThe Midnight Meat Trainconsistently delivers on that front. The film feels as cold and seedy as the city it depicts, and by the time the film builds to its final, dreadful revelation, fans think they’re ready for whatever the film has to throw at them. They’re wrong.
6Book Of Blood
Based on Clive Barker’s short story collectionThe Books of Blood,Book of Bloodis a kind of anthology piece, jumping back and forth between characters and locations as it tells the tale of its titular text. The Book of Blood itself is a series of inscriptions scarred into the body of the film’s main character, Simon. How did Simon come to have this book carved into him? That’s the central question the film explores.
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A grim and unrelenting piece,Book of Bloodhighlights Barker’s panache for delivering gore and misery in equal doses. Though the film has its flaws, it’s excellent premise and solid execution elevate it above most of its competitors.Book of Bloodtakes the familiar tropes of the ghost story and spins them to terrifying effect as only Barker can.
5Hellbound: Hellraiser II
A film that provesthe importance of world-building to horror,Doug Bradley’s second outing as Pinhead doesn’t have the raw majesty of the first film, but it successfully builds upon the seed of horror planted in the first film. One of the best things aboutHellbound: Hellraiser IIis the longer glimpse it gives into the Cenobites and the realm from which they hail.
Though few would claim thatHellbound: Hellraiser IIis a perfect film, it’s an excellent piece to build upon the legacy of theHellraiserfranchise. The Cenobites, their world, and their twisted philosophy are undoubtedly the franchise’s main draw, and any film that gives these elements time to shine is fulfilling its purpose. Searing imagery and some truly disquieting scenes help elevateHellboundabove other films in the series.
4Nightbreed
Nightbreedwas a critical and commercial flop when it was first released, in part because of its less-than-ideal marketing campaign. Since then, it has gone on to find cult success, bringing attention both to its own cinematic merits and those of Clive Barker’s novellaCabal.
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Aaron Boone isa mental patientled by his doctor to believe that he is a serial killer. The story only gets strange when Boone finds safe haven in Midian, a cemetery populated by the monstrous Nightbreed. The film incorporates dark fantasy as well as horror elements, which made marketing it difficult and obscured many of the film’s finer points from early audiences. Thanks to its intriguing premise, world-building, and characters, it has fortunately found new life and appreciation in the years since.
3Hellraiser (2022)
The newest entry in theHellraiserfranchise,Hellraiser(2022) is a reimagining of Clive Barker’s longest-running and most successful horror franchise. The film’s principal triumph is its ability to revisit the original film as well as Barker’s novelThe Hellbound Heartwithout simply copying them.One of the best things about theHellraiserfranchise is Barker’s lush, grotesque world-building, and 2022’sHellraiserdoes its best to expand upon and draw strength from that world.
Excellent performances from Odessa A’zion and Jamie Clayton make the film a significant step up from other franchise entries that offered little more than cheap gore and cheesy SFX. With solid cinematography, great costume design, and a refreshing take on the series' direction, 2022’sHellraiseris a welcome return to Clive Barker’s most sinister world.
2Candyman
Based on Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden,“Candymanis undoubtedly one of Barker’s greatest cinematic adaptations. Written and directed by Bernard Rose,Candymanexplores the urban legend of a hook-handed man murdering people in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green. There’s something to love at every level of this film.
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For filmgoers looking for something more serious,Candymanexplicitly addresses themes of race, income inequality, crime, and prejudice. For those who just want a great slasher,Candymanoffers the titular villain: an impeccably-dressed and incredibly imposing killer who happens to have one of the best backstories in this subgenre of horror. Tony Todd could not be more perfectly cast. His iconic voice, stare, and mannerisms made him a horror icon, and he remains one even decades after the film’s release.
1Hellraiser (1987)
Horror fans who have never heard of Clive Barker are well-acquainted with his most popular creation: Pinhead. One of horror’s most unforgettable faces wasn’t the only thing that the film brings viewers, however. The Cenobites, Lemarchand’s Box, and the Order of the Gash all make their first cinema appearance inHellraiser(1987),setting the groundwork for the movies to come.
A brilliant premise, grisly SFX, and Doug Bradley’s performance as the lead Cenobite all contribute to the film’s lasting excellence. No other film at the time ofHellraiser’sdebut approached the themes of violence or pleasure from the same angle or with the same unrelenting intensity. Though parts of the film may look and feel a bit goofy now, there’s no denying the lasting power and influence ofHellraiser.
