Description

Matt and Laci dive deep into Hellraiser (1987). Matt, a long-time fan of the movie, and Laci, a first-time viewer, discuss the film's production history and the life and philosophy of its creator, Clive Barker. They explore Barker's background, including his early work in theater, his time as a male escort, and his unique perspective on integrating explicit sexuality and body horror into his work. 

Two prior adaptations of his work led Barker to want to take tight control of a third adaptation, which meant he would need to direct it himself. And what an incredible feat the film is for a first-time filmmaker. 1WR tells that story, including how Barker recruited his longtime friend Doug Bradley to play the iconic role of Pinhead. 

Then, a long breakdown of the movie itself. How does it play for a first-time viewer? How well do its practical effects hold up? Do its themes make sense? Has any movie character ever hated their spouse as much as Julia hates Larry? And is Hellraiser as scary as we assumed it would be when we saw the VHS box in the video store as children? Is anything?

Finally, Pinhead himself joins us to give some sex advice.

Next week (April 24, 2026): SEX MONTH concludes with Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls (1995)!

Time stamps:

• 00:10:00 — History segment: The life and times of Clive Barker; production of Hellraiser; Doug Bradley; the Hellraiser franchise and its legacy
• 00:49:15 — Movie discussion
• 02:03:23 — Sex advice questions
• 02:11:13 — Final thoughts & star ratings

Hellraiser was written and directed by Clive Barker. Starring Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Oliver Smith, Sean Chapman, and Doug Bradley as the "Lead Cenobite" (Pinhead). 

Sources:

• The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy by Paul Kane (2015) - https://amzn.to/480DZdp
• "How we made Hellraiser" by Phil Hoad | The Guardian (2017) - https://bit.ly/3Q3g86L 
• "Queer Sexuality in Clive Barker's 'Hellraiser' (1987)" by Bash Ortega | Horror Press (2024) - https://bit.ly/3QEyIlE
• "Eroticising The World" | Cut, Vol 2, No 10 (1987) - (republished on Clive Barker's website) https://bit.ly/4vmDN1Y 
• "All The Gory Details" by M. Kent Black (1989) - (republished on Clive Barker's website) https://bit.ly/4vmDN1Y 
• "'Hellraiser' Author Clive Barker on Almost Dying, Hustling, and Killing Pinhead" by Sean T. Collins | Grantland (2015) - https://bit.ly/4eug2Po 
• Clive Barker on Loveline (1996) - (republished on Barker's website) https://bit.ly/4vmDN1Y 

Transcript: https://1weekrentalpod.com/2026/04/hellraiser-1987/#transcript 

Artwork by Laci Roth.  

Check out Laci's coloring videos on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-kKLhWb2g0bKA-RrvvLh0Q/ 

Matt has a monthly spin-off podcast covering the James Bond films! Check out PodJob: A James Bond Podcast on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/4jRL2K1), Spotify (https://bit.ly/4a8jM6E), and YouTube (https://youtube.com/@podjob007).

Music by Rural Route Nine. Listen to their album The Joy of Averages on Spotify (https://bit.ly/48WBtUa), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/3Q6kOVC), or YouTube (https://bit.ly/3MbU6tC).

Songs by Rural Route Nine in this episode:

• "Winston-Salem" - https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM
• "Snake Drama" - https://youtu.be/xrzz8_2Mqkg
• "24 Hours Is Like Three Weeks!" - https://youtu.be/xhmAga_DGv0 
• "The Bible Towers of Bluebonnet" - https://youtu.be/k7wlxTGGEIQ 

Follow the show! 

• Twitter: @1weekrental | @MattStokes9 | @LRothConcepts
• Facebook: @1weekrental
• Instagram: @1weekrental
• TikTok: @1weekrental | @mattstokes9
• Letterboxd: @loadbearinglaci | @mattstokes9
• Bluesky: @1weekrental.bsky.social

1-Week Rental used to be Load Bearing Beams.