Is Hellbound: Hellraiser II Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Hellbound: Hellraiser II is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies.
It features a runtime of 97 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Hellbound: Hellraiser II Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1988, Hellbound: Hellraiser II emerges as a significant entry in the Horror, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Now confined to a mental hospital, young Kirsty insists her supposedly dead father is actually stuck in Hell following his wife’s betrayal. Unlike standard genre fare, Hellbound: Hellraiser II attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Hellbound: Hellraiser II features a noteworthy lineup led by Ashley Laurence . Supported by the likes of Clare Higgins and Kenneth Cranham , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Hellbound: Hellraiser II Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Hellbound: Hellraiser II is a Horror, Thriller film that crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. Now confined to a mental hospital, young Kirsty insists her supposedly dead father is actually stuck in Hell following his wife’s betrayal. Few believe the young woman’s lurid stories aside from the thrill-seeking Dr. Channard. Kirsty is undeterred and, with the help of a fellow patient, heads to Hell for a rescue. The film uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Hellbound: Hellraiser II Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Hellbound: Hellraiser II concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Hellbound: Hellraiser II reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Hellbound: Hellraiser II?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Hellbound: Hellraiser II Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $3.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $12.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Hellbound: Hellraiser II Budget
The estimated production budget for Hellbound: Hellraiser II is $3.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Hellbound: Hellraiser II
- Ashley Laurence – Kirsty Cotton
- Clare Higgins – Julia Cotton
- Kenneth Cranham – Dr. Philip Channard / Channard Cenobite
- Imogen Boorman – Tiffany
- William Hope – Kyle MacRae
Top Highlights
Ashley LaurenceKirsty Cotton
Clare HigginsJulia Cotton
Kenneth CranhamDr. Philip Channard / Channard Cenobite
Imogen BoormanTiffany
William HopeKyle MacRae
Sean ChapmanFrank Cotton
Doug BradleyPinhead
Barbie WildeFemale Cenobite
Simon Bamford‘Butterball’ Cenobite
Nicholas VinceChatterer Cenobite
Where to Watch Hellbound: Hellraiser II Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
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Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Hellbound: Hellraiser II is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains frightening scenes, intense suspense, mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.4/10, and global collection metrics, Hellbound: Hellraiser II stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1988 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hellbound: Hellraiser II movie hit or flop?
Hellbound: Hellraiser II has received mixed reviews with a 6.4/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Hellbound: Hellraiser II worth watching?
Hellbound: Hellraiser II is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Horror, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Hellbound: Hellraiser II online?
Hellbound: Hellraiser II is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for Hellbound: Hellraiser II
Pretty out there (in a good way) sequel that doesn't make a whole lot of sense but still was an entertaining supernatural horror flick, the kind of horror I'm generally not a fan of. Kind of surprising Ashley Laurence didn't go on to bigger things (her last movie was 2008). **3.5/5**
"Hellbound: Hellraiser II" is watchable enough even though it very quickly slides down the steep slope into becoming a messy shambles. It is really nothing more than a tour through the diseased imagination of Clive Barker - it is hard to believe somebody out there actually thought this was a good basis for a film instead of seeking out some description of psychiatric treatment for the poor soul - and its major handicap is that the special effects just aren't up to the challenge of supporting his thoroughly twisted and uniquely original vision. There is also a desperately heavy reliance on copious amounts of blood and gore just for the hell of it and when you add in the fact that sadly a good portion of it is also totally forgettable what you're left with is nothing more than a modest gore fest of desperately limited impact.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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