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{{Infobox film
| name           = Hellraiser: Judgment 
| image          = Hellraiser Judgment home video art.jpg
| alt            = A side-view of Pinhead's face, centered and superimposed on a blurred background patterned after the Lament Configuration
| caption        = Home media release artwork
| director       = [[Gary J. Tunnicliffe]]
| producer       = Michael Leahy
| writer         = Gary J. Tunnicliffe
| based_on       = {{based on|Characters created|[[Clive Barker]]}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|<!-- Per official billing. -->
* Damon Carney
* [[Randy Wayne]]
* Alexandra Harris
* [[Heather Langenkamp]]
* Paul T. Taylor
}}
| music          = [[Deron Johnson (musician)|Deron Johnson]]
| cinematography = Samuel Calvin
| editing        = Mike Leahy{{break}}Michael Griffin{{refn|name=Note1|group=Note|Credited in the official billing of the home media release.}}
| studio         = [[Dimension Films]]
| distributor    = [[Lionsgate Home Entertainment]]
| released       = {{Film date|2018|2|13}}
| runtime        = 81 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $350,000{{refn|name=Note2|group=Note|As stated by writer/director Gary J. Tunnicliffe. No source from Dimension Films is listed confirming an estimated budget.}}
| gross          = $426,290
}}

'''''Hellraiser: Judgment'''''<!-- This film has NOT titled "Hellraiser X" or "Hellraiser 10". Please do not add without a source. --> is a 2018 American [[horror film]] written and directed by [[Gary J. Tunnicliffe]], based on the characters created by [[Clive Barker]]. The tenth installment in the [[Hellraiser (franchise)|''Hellraiser'' film series]], the film stars Damon Carney, [[Randy Wayne]], Alexandra Harris, [[Heather Langenkamp]], and Paul T. Taylor, and centers on three [[Detective|police detective]]s who, investigating a series of murders, are confronted by the denizens of hell. The film expands the fictional universe by introducing a new faction of hell: the Stygian Inquisition. While the [[Cenobite (Hellraiser)|Cenobites]] offer sadomasochistic pleasures to humans that enter their dominion, the Inquisition processes the souls of sinners. Tunnicliffe plays the Inquisition's [[auditor]], a prominent role in the film.

Unable to direct his screenplay for ''[[Hellraiser: Revelations]]'' (2011) due to a scheduling conflict, Tunnicliffe initially removed all references to the series from his ''Judgment'' concept and tried to have it funded as an [[independent film]] in 2013. He intended on making a "true" ''Hellraiser'' film because of his disappointment with the later films. Several years later, [[Dimension Films]] was required to make another ''Hellraiser'' film to retain the rights, giving Tunnicliffe a chance to propose his vision. The concept was initially rejected but accepted after he negotiated changes with the studio executives. It was filmed in [[Oklahoma]] with ''[[Children of the Corn: Runaway]]'', both films produced by Michael Leahy. It is the second ''Hellraiser'' film without [[Doug Bradley]] as [[Pinhead (Hellraiser)|Pinhead]]; newcomer Taylor was cast after impressing Tunnicliffe in an audition. He and Tunnicliffe decided to develop a new look and interpretation, rather than imitating Bradley's performance.

''Judgment'' was scheduled for release in 2017 with minimal [[marketing]] to avoid negative publicity, but was temporarily shelved. According to Taylor, its release was not a priority for Dimension until the [[Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations|sexual abuse allegations]] involving parent company co-founder [[Harvey Weinstein]] (when the film was put back into [[post production]]). It was distributed by [[Lionsgate Films]] in [[video on demand]] and [[home video|home media]] on February 13, 2018. Although critics compared the film favorably to its predecessors, its low budget and [[police procedural]] aspects were criticized.

==Plot==
In [[Hell]], [[Pinhead (Hellraiser)|Pinhead]] from the [[Cenobite (Hellraiser)|Cenobite]] sect, and the Auditor of the Stygian Inquisition are discussing how to adapt their methods of harvesting souls in the face of advancing human technology that is making the Configurations—gateways to Hell—obsolete. Meanwhile on Earth, three [[Police detective|detectives]]—brothers Sean and David Carter, and Christine Egerton—investigate a serial killer known as the Preceptor, whose murders are based on the [[Ten Commandments]].

A connection with one of the victims leads the detectives to Karl Watkins, a local criminal who went missing near an abandoned house. Sean goes there and loses consciousness, waking up in the Stygian Inquisition's domain in Hell. As the Inquisition prepares to hand down a verdict on Sean for his sins, the angel [[Jophiel]] intervenes and tells them to release him. Sean escapes the realm with a stolen puzzle box, and the Auditor requests Pinhead's guidance on the matter. Sean and David return to search the house, finding no trace of Hell or the Inquisition. That night he is haunted by visions of the Cenobites and Hell's denizens, who promise "judgment and redemption" to anyone who opens the box.

Sean and Christine go to the coroner Hodge's office and find that a cell phone of one of the Preceptor's victims was stored in her body, recording her final location with its [[Global Positioning System|GPS]]. They find the Preceptor's hideout, where Sean incapacitates Christine and reveals himself as the killer. David deduces the Preceptor's identity and meets with Hodges to find the building. Upon arrival, Sean disarms David and reveals that he is holding his wife Alison hostage, outraged that she had an affair. He forces David and Alison to open the box at gunpoint, summoning the Cenobites and opening a gateway to their realm.

Aware that someone from Hell would come to collect his soul after his initial escape, Sean attempts to offer Alison and David to Pinhead. Pinhead tells him they will be dealt with for opening the box, but because a separate faction of Hell wanted his soul, no deal will be made. The Auditor appears, telling Sean the Inquisition has found him guilty of his sins. Jophiel intervenes again and protests to Pinhead and the Auditor that Sean is part of [[Heaven]]'s plan to instill fear into sinners. Pinhead arranges for Christine to kill Sean, and spitefully dispatches Jophiel. As punishment, [[God]] banishes Pinhead to earth, tormented by the want of suffering. In a [[post-credits scene]], a group of [[Mormon]] [[Mormon missionaries|missionaries]] in Germany approach a house and are answered by The Auditor.

==Cast and characters==
{{See also|List of Hellraiser cast members|List of Hellraiser characters}}
<!-- IMDB isn't a reliable source for information; for help with citations, please see [[Wikipedia:Identifying Reliable Sources]]. -->
* Damon Carney as Detective Sean Carter / The Preceptor:<ref name="Cast" />{{break}} A police detective and [[Iraq War]] veteran who investigates a string of murders and discovers an other-worldly threat. Unbeknownst to his colleagues, he murders people who violate the Ten Commandments.<ref name="Cast" />
* [[Randy Wayne]] as Detective David Carter:<ref name="Cast" />{{break}}Sean's partner during the investigation.<ref name="Cast" /> Wayne initially questioned some of Tunnicliffe's decisions; according to the director, defending a character to the actor was not a problem for him: "I think Randy wants to trust the Director and you have to earn that by showing respect for the process. Once that trust was established, Randy relaxed and found David".<ref name="Filming">{{cite web|last=Tunnicliffe|first=Gary|url=http://www.twohoursinthedark.net/hellraiserjudgment.html|title=Hellraiser:Judgment|website=TwoHoursInTheDark|access-date=November 2, 2016|archive-date=September 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925075759/http://www.twohoursinthedark.net/hellraiserjudgment.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Alexandra Harris as Detective Christine Egerton:<ref name="Cast" />{{break}} A detective who assists Sean and David in the murder investigation.<ref name="Cast" /> Although Christine did not appear in the original story, the studio suggested her as a [[Foil (narrative)|foil]] to Sean and David.<ref name="Filming" />
* [[Heather Langenkamp]] as the Landlady:<ref name="Cast">{{cite web|last=Miska|first=Brad|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3381492/heres-the-new-pinhead-in-hellraiser-judgment/|title=Here's the New Pinhead In 'Hellraiser: Judgment'!|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|date=February 28, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016|archive-date=November 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113205115/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3381492/heres-the-new-pinhead-in-hellraiser-judgment/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{break}} Langenkamp, known for her role as [[Nancy Thompson (A Nightmare on Elm Street)|Nancy Thompson]] in ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street]]'' (1984),<ref>{{cite web|last=B.|first=Brian|url=http://movieweb.com/nightmare-elm-st-fan-film-heather-langenkamp-nancy/|title=Heather Langenkamp Is Nancy Again in Elm St. Fan Film|website=MovieWeb|date=September 12, 2016|access-date=March 3, 2017|archive-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307083434/http://movieweb.com/nightmare-elm-st-fan-film-heather-langenkamp-nancy/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Vanderbilt|first=Mike|url=https://avclub.com/article/new-hellraiser-movie-filming-heather-langenkamp-wi-232499|title=A new Hellraiser movie is filming with Heather Langenkamp|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=February 18, 2016|access-date=March 19, 2017|archive-date=March 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313190149/http://www.avclub.com/article/new-hellraiser-movie-filming-heather-langenkamp-wi-232499|url-status=live}}</ref> plays an obscene, cigarette-smoking landlady in ''Judgment''.<ref name="CastingCall" /> Casting director Chris Freihofer, who was acquainted with Langenkamp, showed her the screenplay before suggesting her to Tunnicliffe.<ref name="Filming" /> He was pleased that Langenkamp agreed to take part in the film, since she is regularly offered horror-film roles.<ref name="FangoriaInterview">{{cite web|last=Hanley|first=Ken|url=http://www.fangoria.com/new/exclusive-comments-bts-image-director-gary-tunnicliffe-talks-hellraiser-sequel/ |title=Exclusive Comments, BTS Image: Director Gary Tunnicliffe talks 'Hellraiser' Sequel! |website=Fangoria.com |date=February 18, 2016 |access-date=November 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207110105/http://www.fangoria.com/new/exclusive-comments-bts-image-director-gary-tunnicliffe-talks-hellraiser-sequel/|archive-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref>
* Paul T. Taylor as [[Pinhead (Hellraiser)|Pinhead]]:<ref name="PinheadAuditor">{{cite web|last=Miska|first=Brad|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3400564/look-pinhead-auditor-hellraiser-judgment-exclusive/|title=Look, It's Pinhead and The Auditor From 'Hellraiser: Judgment'! (Exclusive)|website=Bloody Disgusting|date=July 26, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016|archive-date=October 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018111409/http://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3400564/look-pinhead-auditor-hellraiser-judgment-exclusive|url-status=live}}</ref>{{break}} The leader of the [[Cenobite (Hellraiser)|Cenobites]], a religious faction of mutilated humans in [[Hell]] who belong to the Order of the Gash and offer those who solve the [[Lament Configuration]] sadomasochistic pleasures. His face is marked with cuts arranged in a [[grid (graphic design)|grid]], with nails inserted into the intersections of creased flesh. Taylor made his debut as the priest of Hell, who was played by [[Doug Bradley]] in the first eight films and Stephen Smith Collins in ''[[Hellraiser: Revelations]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Eggertsen |first=Chris |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/interviews/22107/victor-garcia-spills-the-beans-on-hellraiser-revelations/ |title=Victor Garcia Spills The Beans On 'Hellraiser: Revelations' |website=Bloody Disgusting |date=October 20, 2010 |access-date=March 11, 2017 |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309044733/http://bloody-disgusting.com/interviews/22107/victor-garcia-spills-the-beans-on-hellraiser-revelations/ |url-status=live}}</ref> According to Taylor, in Pinhead's ''Judgment'' [[character arc]] events directly affect him (unlike the more recent sequels, with "him just showing up and doing his job").<ref name="1428Int2">{{cite web|last1=Posey|first1=Aaron|title=Interview: Hellraiser: Judgment star Paul T. Taylor drops by 1428 Elm (Page 2)|url=https://1428elm.com/2017/12/29/hellraiser-judgement-star-paul-t-taylor-drops-by-1428-elm-for-a-chat/2/|website=1428 Elm|date=December 29, 2017|publisher=Fansided|access-date=January 1, 2018|archive-date=May 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517123934/https://1428elm.com/2017/12/29/hellraiser-judgement-star-paul-t-taylor-drops-by-1428-elm-for-a-chat/2/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tunnicliffe was inspired by ''[[Hellbound: Hellraiser II]]'' (1988) in crafting Pinhead's fate in ''Judgment''{{'s}} climax: "I got to a point where I was writing the end of the film, and I thought, 'Well, he came from being immortal. We saw him birthed in ''Hellbound'',' which I really loved, and I thought, 'If you're the king, then the very worst thing that can happen to you is you get stripped and thrown out with the paupers'". The filmmaker said that if he had had the budget, Pinhead would have been shown getting stripped of his pins and his clothing shredded.<ref name="NoOther">{{cite web|last1=Cavanaugh|first1=Patrick|title='Hellraiser: Judgment' Director Details Why His Film Does Something No Other 'Hellraiser' Has|url=https://comicbook.com/horror/2018/02/15/hellraiser-judgment-ending-explained-gary-tunnicliffe-interview/|website=ComicBook.com|date=February 14, 2018|access-date=February 14, 2018|archive-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215030854/http://comicbook.com/horror/2018/02/15/hellraiser-judgment-ending-explained-gary-tunnicliffe-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> He suggested an ending in which a naked, now-human Pinhead is found on a rainy night bleeding in a gutter by a policeman, with the grid still in his face.<ref name="H1N1">{{cite interview|last=Tunnicliffe|first=Gary J.|interviewer=Mr. H Reviews|title='Hellraiser' Behind The Scenes Interview PART ONE|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEj9a13FMJ0|publisher=Mr. H Reviews via YouTube|date=February 25, 2018|access-date=February 26, 2018|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113144206/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEj9a13FMJ0&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Gary J. Tunnicliffe]]<ref name="Dread Review">{{cite web|last1=Barton|first1=Steve|title=[Review] Sluggish 'Hellraiser: Judgment' Still Has Grotesque Charm|url=https://dreadcentral.com/reviews/266119/hellraiser-judgment-review-pinhead-returns-truly-solid-sequel/|website=Dread Central|date=February 5, 2018|access-date=February 5, 2018|archive-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206021448/http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/266119/hellraiser-judgment-review-pinhead-returns-truly-solid-sequel/|url-status=live}}</ref> as the Auditor:<ref name="PinheadAuditor" />{{break}} A [[clerk]] in Hell who notes a person's sin before sending the person to the Assessor for judgment. The Auditor's typewriter paper is made of flesh and inked in blood; he often carries a [[music box]] that plays "[[Für Elise]]"<!-- Confirmed in the film's end credits; not original research. --> as a comforting remnant of his human past. According to Tunnicliffe, the character is [[Germans|German]]. Not a Cenobite, he is part of the Stygian Inquisition separate from the Order of the Gash (one of Hell's many orders). There are many [[auditor]]s in the Inquisition; Tunnicliffe's character shares the faction with the Assessor, the Jury, the Butcher and the Surgeon. Other members (the Bone Collectors, the Seamstress, the Sentinels, the Order of Exudation, and the Effluviam) were planned for introduction but removed for budgetary reasons. The character was influenced by Sam Lowry from ''[[Brazil (1985 film)|Brazil]]'' (1985) and [[Itzhak Stern]] from ''[[Schindler's List]]'' (1993). The Stygian Inquisition lures their victims (candidates) to houses on earth that connect to Hell, evaluating their sins and desires to decide their fate. Occasionally, its victims are deemed more suited to the Cenobites.<ref name="H1N1" /><ref name="Auditor">{{cite web|last=Tunnicliffe|first=Gary|url=http://www.twohoursinthedark.net/the-auditor.html|title=The Auditor and the Stygian Inquisition|website=TwoHoursInTheDark|access-date=February 17, 2018|archive-date=February 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219202715/http://www.twohoursinthedark.net/the-auditor.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Filming" /><ref name="CastingCall">{{cite web |last=Barton |first=Steve |url=https://dreadcentral.com/news/152859/hellraiser-judgement-casting-breakdown-new-eye-candy/ |title=Hellraiser: Judgment Casting Breakdown; New Eye Candy |website=[[Dread Central]] |date=February 22, 2016 |access-date=March 19, 2017 |archive-date=July 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708020616/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/152859/hellraiser-judgement-casting-breakdown-new-eye-candy/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Time and budget contributed to Tunnicliffe playing the character, allowing him to come in before shooting to apply the make-up; prosthetics could be applied in advance, and a body double could be used as needed. He accepted acting advice from a number of sources (including Damon Carney), and Mike Leahy and script supervisor Pepper helped direct his on-screen scenes. Tunnicliffe said: "I've been acting for many years, I love the franchise and I wanted to play the character. I thought in the very worst-case scenario if I suck, then I can [[Dubbing|dub]] myself later!"<ref>{{cite web|last1=Boiselle|first1=Mike|title=Interview: Director Gary J. Tunnicliffe Discusses Hellraiser: Judgment|url=https://dreadcentral.com/news/266595/interview-director-gary-j-tunnicliffe-discusses-hellraiser-judgment/|website=Dread Central|date=February 12, 2018|access-date=February 14, 2018|archive-date=July 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720104221/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/266595/interview-director-gary-j-tunnicliffe-discusses-hellraiser-judgment/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[John Gulager]] as the Assessor:<ref name="Cast" />{{break}} A gluttonous member of the Stygian Inquisition who processes pages given to him by the Auditor and passes the results to the Jury.<ref name="Cast" /> Although Tunnicliffe had never seen filmmaker John Gulager act, he knew that Gulager is an actor and wrote the Assessor for him.<ref name="Filming" /> Gulager previously directed the horror films ''[[Feast (2005 film)|Feast]]'' (2005), ''[[Feast II: Sloppy Seconds]]'' (2008), ''[[Feast III: The Happy Finish]]'' (2009), and ''[[Piranha 3DD]]'' (2012).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Woerner|first1=Meredith|title=John Gulager Explains The Problem With Monster Peen|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/john-gulager-explains-the-problem-with-monster-peen-5060338|date=October 7, 2008|website=io9|access-date=September 10, 2019|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026012727/https://io9.gizmodo.com/john-gulager-explains-the-problem-with-monster-peen-5060338|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Doupe|first1=Tyler|date=September 3, 2012|title=Exclusive Interview: John Gulager, Director of Piranha 3DD|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/horror/news/729113-exclusive-interview-john-gulager-director-of-piranha-3dd|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610190414/https://www.comingsoon.net/horror/news/729113-exclusive-interview-john-gulager-director-of-piranha-3dd|archive-date=June 10, 2021|access-date=September 10, 2019|website=Comingsoon.net|publisher=[[Mandatory (company)|Mandatory]], owned by Evolve Media}}</ref>
* Mike Jay Regan as the Chatterer:<ref name="Cast" />{{break}} A Cenobite and follower of the Order of the Gash with facial deformities and continuously-clicking teeth. Succeeding [[Nicholas Vince]] in the role, Regan played the Chatterer Torso in ''[[Hellraiser: Inferno]]'' (2000) and the Chatterer in ''[[Hellraiser: Hellseeker]]'' (2002), ''[[Hellraiser: Deader]]'', and ''[[Hellraiser: Hellworld]]'' (both 2005).<ref name="legacy">{{cite book|last=Kane|first=Paul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rSMkCQAAQBAJ|title=The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy|date=2013-06-20|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|isbn=9781476600697|author-link=Paul Kane (writer)|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610190338/https://books.google.com/books?id=rSMkCQAAQBAJ|archive-date=June 10, 2021|url-status=live}}{{rp|164, 207}}</ref>

Grace Montie plays Crystal Lanning, a dog-loving socialite whose murder sets the plot into motion.<ref name="Cast" /><ref name="CastingCall" /> [[Rheagan Wallace]] plays Alison Carter, Sean's wife.<ref name="trailer">{{cite web|last1=Mueller|first1=Matthew|title='Hellraiser: Judgment' Trailer Released|url=https://comicbook.com/horror/2018/01/09/hellraiser-judgement-trailer-released/|website=ComicBook.com|date=January 9, 2018|access-date=January 9, 2018|archive-date=January 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109195229/http://comicbook.com/horror/2018/01/09/hellraiser-judgement-trailer-released/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CastingCall" /> Diane Goldner plays a Cleaner, an aging nude woman and part of the Stygian Inquisition who forces her tongue on victims as penance. Tunnicliffe conceived the Cleaners as in their nineties (similar to the [[three Witches]] from ''[[Macbeth]]''), saying his worst nightmare would be being chained to a bed with old women licking him clean.<ref name="H2N1">{{cite interview|last=Tunnicliffe|first=Gary J.|interviewer=Mr. H Reviews|title='Hellraiser" Behind The Scenes Interview Part Two|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKG-HFPAms4|publisher=Mr. H Reviews via YouTube|date=February 27, 2018|access-date=February 28, 2018|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111085232/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKG-HFPAms4&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Cast" /><ref name="CastingCall" /> Andi Powers plays one of the Jury, three nude women in their twenties with skinless faces who hand down verdicts from the Inquisition.<ref name="Cast" /><ref name="CastingCall" /> Other acting credits include Jeff Fenter as sinner Karl Watkins and Helena Grace Donald as the angel [[Jophiel]].<ref name="Cast" /> ''Judgment'' is the first ''Hellraiser'' film to include [[Heaven]] in its mythology. According to Tunnicliffe, he took influence from ''[[The Scarlet Gospels]]'', stating "I am in no way religious, but if you are writing a story that acknowledges the existence of Hell, then you have to acknowledge the existence of Heaven. I'm a big fan of things like [[John Constantine|Constantine]] and ''[[The Prophecy|Prophecy]]'', so it was fun bringing those characters into it".<ref name="Dork">{{cite interview|last=Tunnicliffe|first=Gary J.|interviewer=The Dorkening|title=Wicked Horror Show Presents Gary J. Tunnicliffe Director of Hellraiser: Judgment|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KNwcj4exLY|publisher=The Dorkening via YouTube|access-date=February 26, 2018|archive-date=November 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110130217/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KNwcj4exLY&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Production==
===Development===
{{blockquote|Only took a mere 30 years to get from being a {{sic|19 yr old}} [[prosthetic makeup|make up fx]] wannabe living in rural [[Staffordshire]] to finally getting to write and direct a ''Hellraiser'' movie (whilst creating make up effects for a whole bunch of them along the way).<ref name="Filming" />|author=[[Gary J. Tunnicliffe]]}}

Decades before the development of ''Hellraiser: Judgment'', [[Dimension Films]] obtained the rights to the ''[[Hellraiser (franchise)|Hellraiser]]'' and ''[[Children of the Corn (film series)|Children of the Corn]]'' film series; Dimension's first films were ''[[Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth]]'' and ''[[Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice]]'', shot back-to-back in [[North Carolina]] in 1991. Since then, the company has been required to produce films in both series to retain the rights.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Paul|first1=Zachary|title=Doug Bradley Speaks (Again) About Hellraiser: Judgment|url=https://halloweenlove.com/doug-bradley-speaks-again-about-hellraiser-judgment/|website=halloweenlove.com|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=February 9, 2018|archive-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318044516/https://halloweenlove.com/doug-bradley-speaks-again-about-hellraiser-judgment/|url-status=live}}</ref> Around the release of ''[[Hellraiser: Bloodline]]'' in 1996, Gary Tunnicliffe (who was involved with the special effects of ''Hellraiser III'' and ''Bloodline'') pitched a ''Hellraiser'' story, ''Holy War'', to Dimension executive [[Bob Weinstein]]; an opening scene, about a priest seeking a path to Heaven through suffering, was [[storyboard]]ed.<ref>{{cite interview|last=Tunnicliffe|first=Gary J.|interviewer=Midnight's Edge|title=Talking Hellraiser Part I: Behind the Scenes of all the Original Movies|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIN5WO5UQrI|publisher=Midnight's Edge via YouTube|date=February 14, 2018|access-date=February 18, 2018|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514163031/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIN5WO5UQrI|url-status=live}}</ref> Tunnicliffe continued to provide special effects for the series' sequels through ''[[Hellraiser: Hellworld]]'' (2005), which all were released to [[direct-to-video]] after ''Bloodline'', but was unhappy with the quality of the films. Nearing a later deadline to retain ''Hellraiser'' and ''Children of the Corn'', Dimension Films offered him an opportunity to write and direct a ''Hellraiser'' sequel. Tunnicliffe wrote the screenplay for 2011's ''Hellraiser: Revelations'', but could not direct it due to a scheduling conflict with ''[[Scream 4]]''.<ref>{{cite interview|last=Tunnicliffe|first=Gary J.|interviewer=Midnight's Edge|title=Why Hellraiser Revelations turned out the way it did|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRnGwFCVCuE|publisher=Midnight's Edge via YouTube|date=February 16, 2018|access-date=February 17, 2018|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301141300/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRnGwFCVCuE|url-status=live}}</ref>

Instead of being an original screenplay converted into a ''Hellraiser'' film, Tunnicliffe's idea for ''Judgment'' was intended as part of the series from its conception.<ref name="BloodyInterview">{{cite web|last=Miska|first=Brad|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/interviews/3383388/hellraiser-judgment-interview-gary-tunnicliffe-talks-genesis-new-pinhead-sequels-rushed-development/|title='Hellraiser: Judgment' Interview: Gary Tunnicliffe Talks Genesis, New Pinhead, and Sequels Being Rushed Into Development!|website=Bloody Disgusting|date=May 16, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016|archive-date=October 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012014544/http://bloody-disgusting.com/interviews/3383388/hellraiser-judgment-interview-gary-tunnicliffe-talks-genesis-new-pinhead-sequels-rushed-development/|url-status=live}}</ref> He removed its ''Hellraiser'' elements after trying to meet with Dimension, who were uninterested in making another ''Hellraiser'' film immediately after ''Revelations''. Tunnicliffe showed ''Judgment'' to Mike Jay Regan, who enjoyed its premise and suggested the removal of [[Pinhead (Hellraiser)|Pinhead]] for a standalone project.<ref name="Tunnicliffe3">{{cite interview|last=Tunnicliffe|first=Gary J.|interviewer=Midnight's Edge|title=Talking Hellraiser Part III: Hellraiser Judgement: Development and Recasting a Horror Icon|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64qG86S68ko|publisher=Midnight's Edge via YouTube|date=February 23, 2018|access-date=February 23, 2018|archive-date=May 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518235203/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64qG86S68ko|url-status=live}}</ref> He then attempted to make it as an [[independent film]], but failed to find financial backers, leading to an unsuccessful [[Kickstarter]] campaign in 2013.<!-- Source for the year. --><ref>{{cite web|last=Princess|first=The Angry|url=http://morbidlybeautiful.com/tunnicliffe-hellraiser-judgment/|title=Exclusive Interview With Filmmaker Gary J. Tunnicliffe|website=Morbidly Beautiful|date=September 19, 2016|access-date=February 7, 2018|archive-date=April 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403221648/http://morbidlybeautiful.com/tunnicliffe-hellraiser-judgment/|url-status=live}}</ref> Five years after being unable to direct ''Revelations'', Dimension (facing another rights-retention deadline) offered Tunnicliffe the job of writing and directing another ''Hellraiser'' film.<ref name="Tunnicliffe3" /> Tunnicliffe pitched ''Hellraiser: Judgment'' to Dimension three times (being rejected each time), and wrote a script treatment for a more traditional ''Hellraiser'' film, ''Enter Darkness'', to demonstrate that he could come up with other ideas. The treatment's plot involved [[psychiatric hospital]] interns studying patients with shared experiences of the Lament Configuration, while the head doctor collates them to meet the Cenobites himself.<ref name="Tunnicliffe3" /> The studio approved it, but Tunnicliffe insisted on making ''Judgment''.<ref name="60Minute">{{cite web|url=http://60minuteswith.co.uk/interviews/interview-gary-j-tunnicliffe/|title=Interview with Gary J Tunnicliffe|website=60 Minutes With|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112150431/http://60minuteswith.co.uk/podcast/Episode64.mp3|archive-date=November 12, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Dimension told him to write the script for ''Judgment'' with the proviso that if they disliked it, he would direct ''Enter Darkness'' without being paid. After reading it, they allowed Tunnicliffe to direct ''Judgment'' as part of the series after negotiating rewrites, notes, and suggested changes.<ref name="60Minute" /><ref name="BloodyInterview" /> Saying that ''Judgment'' "will have moments unlike any other [film] you have ever seen", he was inspired by the works of [[Hieronymus Bosch]], [[Francis Bacon (artist)|Francis Bacon]], [[David Cronenberg]], [[David Lynch]], [[David Fincher]], and ''Hellraiser'' creator [[Clive Barker]].<ref name="Filming" />

===={{anchor|Original story premise}}Original story====
Tunnicliffe's original [[film treatment|treatment]] began with a Christian missionary approaching a rundown house to spread the [[Gospel]] and being captured by the Auditor at the door. The film's next fifteen to twenty minutes would focus on the missionary's audit as he is processed (judged) by the Auditor, the Assessor, the Jury, the Surgeon, the Butcher, the Seamstress, and the Bone Collectors. Two days later, a police officer is captured by the Auditor when he searches for the missing missionary. Tunnicliffe wanted the scenes in Hell to be more nightmarish than they were in the finished film. The Assessor chokes on the pages of the policeman's sins during the audit, leading the distraught Auditor to seek assistance from Pinhead. Pinhead gathers the Chatterer and the Female Cenobite to find out what went wrong. [[Flashback (narrative)|Flashbacks]] show several police investigations, misleading the audience into thinking the police officer is innocent. An angel confronts Pinhead, demanding the police officer's release. The officer leaves the house, returning to raid it with armed colleagues, but find it to be empty. Pinhead and the Auditor review the officer's sins, discover that he is not innocent, and confront the angel. The next day, the officer awakens to the Cenobites invading his home. The audience learns about his sins, and the next fifteen minutes of the film would involve the Cenobites capturing and tormenting him.<ref name="Tunnicliffe3" />

===Casting===
''Judgment'' was cast by a team led by casting director Chris Freihofer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freihofercasting.com/|title=Freihofer Casting – Our Work|website=Freihofer Casting|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=September 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924024652/https://www.freihofercasting.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Filming" /> Gary Tunnicliffe wanted [[Doug Bradley]] to reprise his role as [[Pinhead (Hellraiser)|Pinhead]], the lead Cenobite;<ref name="FangoriaInterview" /> Bradley refused, criticizing Dimension Films for the quality of the ''Hellraiser'' sequels. Tunnicliffe pleaded with him, but Bradley again declined when he learned that he would have to sign a [[non-disclosure agreement]] to obtain the screenplay.<ref name="60Minute" /> In an interview with [[Bloody Disgusting|Bloody-Disgusting]], Bradley said he had not read the script and declined to comment on the film's quality, but he expressed chagrin that it was another rights-retention project.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hicks|first=Jess|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/interviews/3384647/interview-chasing-hell-doug-bradley/|title=[Interview] Chasing Hell With Doug Bradley!|website=Bloody Disgusting|date=March 30, 2016|access-date=November 2, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108072116/http://bloody-disgusting.com/interviews/3384647/interview-chasing-hell-doug-bradley|url-status=live}}</ref> Paul T. Taylor was cast as Pinhead, and Tunnicliffe played the Auditor. Mike Jay Regan reprised his role as the [[Chatterer]], and [[Heather Langenkamp]] would play a character in the film.<ref name="Cast" />

Taylor became involved when he received an email inviting him to [[screen test]] as the Auditor;<ref>{{cite web|last1=Danhauser|first1=Ryan|title=147 : Hellraiser Judgement's Paul T. Taylor|url=http://www.clivebarkercast.com/2017/07/09/147-hellraiser-judgements-paul-t-taylor/|website=Clive Barker Podcast|date=July 9, 2017|access-date=July 9, 2017|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902003912/http://www.clivebarkercast.com/2017/07/09/147-hellraiser-judgements-paul-t-taylor|url-status=live}}</ref> after the test, he was asked to audition as Pinhead.<ref name="Meet">{{cite web|last=Paul|first=Zachary|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3432200/interview-man-pinhead-paul-t-taylor-hellraiser-judgement/|title=[Interview] Paul T. Taylor on 'Hellraiser: Judgment'|website=Bloody Disgusting|date=April 17, 2017|access-date=April 18, 2017|archive-date=April 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417185109/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3432200/interview-man-pinhead-paul-t-taylor-hellraiser-judgement/|url-status=live}}</ref> The latter audition took place in [[Los Angeles]], where Taylor thought he "nailed" his performance. Tunnicliffe allowed him to interpret the character, and he was given months to prepare before filming began. The preparation included [[smoking]] (unusual for Taylor), to give his voice a gravelly quality. He took late-night walks in high-crime neighborhoods near his home, which he described as "facing the fear".<ref name="1428Int">{{cite web|last1=Posey|first1=Aaron|title=Interview: Hellraiser: Judgment star Paul T. Taylor drops by 1428 Elm|url=https://1428elm.com/2017/12/29/hellraiser-judgement-star-paul-t-taylor-drops-by-1428-elm-for-a-chat/|website=1428 Elm|date=December 29, 2017|publisher=Fansided|access-date=January 1, 2018|archive-date=May 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516224900/https://1428elm.com/2017/12/29/hellraiser-judgement-star-paul-t-taylor-drops-by-1428-elm-for-a-chat/|url-status=live}}</ref> He said of his performance: "I have a vulnerability in my acting no matter what I do. It's just there{{spaces}}... It's about the stillness. [Pinhead]'s already so terrifying that when he makes a move, it means something. He's very economical and when he speaks, he's so eloquent". Believing "Pinhead has to be British", the American actor used a British accent when in-character. For research, he visited a comic-book store to read ''Hellraiser'' comic books in which Pinhead appeared.<ref name="TaylorDallas">{{cite web|last=Gallagher|first=Danny|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/dallas-actor-paul-t-taylor-sinks-his-hooks-into-the-role-of-horror-film-villain-pinhead-9258775|title=Dallas Actor Paul T. Taylor Sinks His Hooks Into the Role of Horror Film Villain Pinhead|website=Dallas Observer|date=March 10, 2017|access-date=March 10, 2017|archive-date=March 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310143256/http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/dallas-actor-paul-t-taylor-sinks-his-hooks-into-the-role-of-horror-film-villain-pinhead-9258775|url-status=live}}</ref> Tunnicliffe detailed his reasons for selecting Taylor, saying he was prepared and open to listening, but also wanting to give his own interpretation: "I wanted a slightly different Pinhead for this new tale, there's a stillness, a dry resolve to this new version, coldness, sarcasm. I wanted a Pinhead with a regal sense of arrogance and boredom and Paul delivered".<ref name="Filming" />

===Filming and editing===
{{multiple image
 | align     = left
 | direction = vertical
 | width     = 
 | image1    = Hellraiser_Judgment_blue.jpg
 | alt1      = Pinhead, in blue
 | image2    = Hellraiser_Judgment_yellow.jpg
 | alt2      = The Auditor, in yellow
 | footer    = The filmmakers used color to distinguish the domains of hell inhabited by the Cenobites (''top'') and the Stygian Inquisition. The images show Pinhead and the Auditor, respectively.
}}

Filming took place over a three-week period in [[Oklahoma]], on a relatively small budget of $350,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clivebarker.info/hellraiser10.html|title=Hellraiser: Judgment|website=CliveBarker.Info|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=September 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924030400/http://www.clivebarker.info/hellraiser10.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Tunnicliffe and [[cinematographer]] Samuel Calvin prepared substantially beforehand to maximize shooting time, using a daily average of 30 to 35 complex camera and lighting set-ups. According to Tunnicliffe, all departments were enthusiastic about their work and a work day never exceeded thirteen hours. Filming locations included a derelict building, a bar, a luxury apartment building and penthouse suite, a church interior, a children's playground, alleys, and stages and sets built by the film's art department.<ref name="Filming" /> Some actors had to be persuaded to arrive at certain shoots, partially because of the film's budget. Tunnicliffe said about filming: "I'm a great believer in really using the time on set. You only get up to twelve to thirteen hours a day, maximum, and I don't like going over time and over budget. I like to have a strong plan going in and the way I do that is that I act out the entire script with my D.P. [director of photography], we act out everybody's roles in every scene. We pick our angles based on that". Local residents contributed to the shoot by suggesting specific locations, and a car dealership loaned a van for the film.<ref name="60Minute" /> Taylor shot his scenes in an [[Oklahoma City]] studio, where a set for the "offices of hell" was built.<ref name="TaylorDallas" /> The film was shot at the same time and place as ''[[Children of the Corn: Runaway]]'', also produced by Mike Leahy; ''Judgment'' actor [[John Gulager]] directed ''Runaway''. According to Leahy, "blood has been flowing here in Oklahoma City. These are two horror films that are going to be seen by a core audience".<ref name="WhatHappened">{{cite web|last1=Sprague|first1=Mike|url=https://dreadcentral.com/news/260725/whatever-happened-john-gulagers-children-corn-runaway/|title=Whatever Happened to John Gulager's Children of the Corn: Runaway?|website=Dread Central|date=November 23, 2017|access-date=February 9, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222225830/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/260725/whatever-happened-john-gulagers-children-corn-runaway/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Hamman|first1=Cody|url=https://joblo.com/horror-movies/news/children-of-the-corn-runaway-confirmed-details-revealed-813|title='Children of the Corn: Runaway Confirmed, Details Revealed|website=[[JoBlo.com|Joblo]]|date=March 21, 2016|access-date=February 9, 2018|archive-date=October 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001122724/http://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/children-of-the-corn-runaway-confirmed-details-revealed-813|url-status=live}}</ref> Another three weeks were devoted to editing, and the film's limited budget restricted the number of lengthy edits. This was followed by the implementation of [[Color grading|color timing]], sound, and music. The [[film score|score]] was composed by [[Deron Johnson (musician)|Deron Johnson]], who was influenced by [[Trent Reznor]] and the score of ''[[Seven (1995 film)|Seven]]''. Although Tunnicliffe's original cut had cues from [[Christopher Young]]'s [[Hellraiser#Soundtrack|orchestral soundtrack]] from ''Hellraiser'' and ''Hellbound'', a more modern approach was adopted for budgetary reasons. The domains of hell inhabited by the Cenobites and the Stygian Inquisition were distinguished by color, with a blue [[Color scheme|palette]] used for the Cenobites' domain and a "piss" yellow applied to the Inquisition's.<ref name="Barkercast" />

Some of the film's sexual content and violence was deemed too extreme by the studio, and was removed. Tunnicliffe said: "I don't think people could stomach my original version. The studio certainly couldn't. I could have easily made the film ten to fifteen minutes longer with a more intense cut, but it would probably be TOO much. In the end, wiser heads prevailed".<ref name="Barkercast">{{cite web|last1=Ridenour|first1=Rob|url=http://www.clivebarkercast.com/2018/01/30/the-clive-barker-podcast-interviews-gary-j-tunnicliffe/|title=The Clive Barker Podcast Interviews Gary J. Tunnicliffe|website=Clive Barker Cast|date=January 30, 2018|access-date=February 4, 2018|archive-date=February 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207174923/http://www.clivebarkercast.com/2018/01/30/the-clive-barker-podcast-interviews-gary-j-tunnicliffe/|url-status=live}}</ref> Among ''Judgment''{{'s}} deleted content were a longer scene of Karl Watkins (Jeff Fenter) being skinned to death by the Inquisition's surgeon (Jilly Blundell),<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Tunnicliffe, Gary (Director)|date=February 13, 2017|title=Hellraiser: Judgment – Deleted Scenes (Blu-Ray)|medium=Motion picture|publisher=Lionsgate Films}}</ref> and scenes involving the Cleaners. The original version of the sex scene between Sean (Damon Carney) and Alison Carter ([[Rheagan Wallace]]) was more intense, with the camera cutting back and forth between Sean's view of Alison and visions of the Cenobites. Several false endings were conceived for the scene, including Sean's [[hallucination]] of Alison [[fellatio|fellating]] him when he looks up after his [[orgasm]] to see David Carter ([[Randy Wayne]]) smiling back at him. The nightmare scene in which Sean enters an alley and sees flashes of hell was originally longer and more graphic; at one point, he stumbles across Alison as part of a [[threesome]] behind a dumpster with two strange men in pig masks. Tunnicliffe wanted to use surreal imagery to convey that "Sean's world was being torn apart, undone by his experiences at the house within the hellish dimension".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Squires|first1=John|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3483444/exclusive-hellraiser-judgment-scene-studio-axed-extreme/|title=[Exclusive] The 'Hellraiser Judgment' Scene the Studio Axed for Being Too Extreme|website=Bloody Disgusting|date=February 16, 2018|access-date=February 17, 2018|archive-date=February 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216201943/http://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3483444/exclusive-hellraiser-judgment-scene-studio-axed-extreme/|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''Judgment''{{'s}} original concept pitch, the Jury eats the Assessor (Gulager)'s regurgitated pages (not sifting through them) before handing down its verdict on the Stygian Inquisition's captives.<ref name="Tunnicliffe3" />

===Special effects===
[[File:Pinheadremake.jpg|thumb|alt=Pinhead's unused design from the cancelled Hellraiser reboot, complete with chaotic cuts|Pinhead's chaotic facial cuts from Gary J. Tunnicliffe's design for the cancelled ''Hellraiser'' reboot were repurposed for the Auditor.]]

The makeup-effects team was led by Mike Regan and Mike Measimer.<ref name="Filming" /> Taylor's portrayal of Pinhead was intended to be leaner and more serious than previous incarnations, lacking the earlier films' glib one-liners. This was incorporated into the makeup and costume design, with longer [[silver]] pins, deeper blade-slice cuts, solid black eyes and a more-visceral, sleeker wardrobe. The character's original attire was replaced with a ragged robe and butcher's skirt made of [[chain mail]]. His many tools and weapons were replaced by a streamlined skinning utensil.<ref name="Filming" /><ref name="BloodyInterview" /><ref name="Barkercast" /> Some grid-like cuts were rearranged from his previous design, with one square removed from each side of his jaw and one added to the back of his head.<ref name="Barkercast" /> The flesh exposed on his chest was made a [[rhombus]] in honor of [[List of Hellraiser characters#Leviathan|Leviathan]], the god worshiped by the Cenobites;<ref name="Filming" /> a homage to the [[Eye of Agamotto]] symbolism from [[Doctor Strange (comic book)|''Doctor Strange'' lore]] was integrated into the costume.<ref name="H3N1">{{cite interview|last=Tunnicliffe|first=Gary J.|interviewer=Mr. H Reviews|title='Hellraiser' Behind The Scenes Interview Part Three|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HEX-YCQ4gE|publisher=Mr. H Reviews via YouTube|date=March 2, 2018|access-date=March 2, 2018|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113091114/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HEX-YCQ4gE&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The Lament Configuration was also altered, built with bleached wood and [[copper]] etching.<ref name="Barkercast" /> The self-inflicted lacerations on the Auditor's face were intended to be less patterned and more chaotic than that of the more-ordered Cenobites. The facial cuts' positions were borrowed from an [[Pinhead (Hellraiser)#Pinhead redesign|unsolicited redesign]] for Pinhead created by Tunnicliffe for [[Pascal Laugier]]'s cancelled ''[[Hellraiser]]'' remake. A blood-stained shirt and threadbare two-piece suit cover the cuts on the Auditor's body. Religious symbols, implicitly torn from the necks of the guilty, are on the bracelet of his right wrist.<ref name="Auditor" /><ref name="H3N1" /> His black spectacles convey the impression of soulless eyes.<ref name="Tunnicliffe3" />

Tunnicliffe had to balance directing the film and overseeing the effects work. About the quality of the blood effects, he said: "I don't think it's so much the quantity of blood but more the nature of the effects, the content and the context. I think some of our blood gags are actually quite beautiful; when you see blood raining down on a naked girl with a skinned face at 300 frames per second you can't help but be mesmerized by the fluid dynamics".<ref name="BloodyInterview" /> Taylor compared the simulated gore to that of the [[Saw (franchise)|''Saw'' series]]: "I think people are going to be fascinated with it and the things that are, what I would say, on the border of [[Torture porn|horror porn]], there's some elements of that in it and that will please many ''Hellraiser'' fans and fans of just what contemporary horror can be these days where it's just a gross-out".<ref name="TaylorTrunk">{{cite web|author=trunkprc|url=http://openthetrunk.com/pinhead/|title=Chilling Out – Paul T. Taylor|website=Open The Trunk|date=March 24, 2017|access-date=March 25, 2017|archive-date=April 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402191918/http://openthetrunk.com/pinhead/|url-status=live}}</ref> He later clarified: "I think [the gore in the film] is done because of the style and aesthetics in a beautiful way. This is not masturbation, and let's just throw blood at the screen".<ref name="Meet" />

Tunnicliffe sent pictures to the wardrobe department of what he wanted the characters to wear, and the department measured the actors. Costumes designed and built for the Cenobites were handled by Tunnicliffe's department.<ref name="60Minute" /> He chose to have certain characters nude because he thought it would look visually more interesting than designing cheap costumes.<ref name="Budget">{{cite interview|last=Tunnicliffe|first=Gary J.|interviewer=Midnight's Edge|title=Hellraiser Judgment Explained: Production, Budget and Influences|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsDWslLnF5I|publisher=Midnight's Edge via [[YouTube]]|date=March 4, 2018|access-date=March 4, 2018|archive-date=August 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816202629/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsDWslLnF5I&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Genuine direct third party interview with the writer/director. --> The costume department used a [[Casting|cast]] of Taylor's head to design a pin mask for him to wear as Pinhead, which covered his entire head except for his ears. Although he found the costume and makeup extremely uncomfortable, he integrated the discomfort into his performance as the sadomasochist.<ref name="TaylorDallas" /> When he saw his reflection in the mirror in the Pinhead makeup, he said he instantly fell into the character's mindset. Taylor thought the makeup menacing enough that he had a minimalist approach to his performance, feeling that attempting to be conventionally frightening would be [[overacting]].<ref name="TaylorTrunk" /><ref name="H1N2">{{cite interview|last=Tunnicliffe|first=Gary J.|interviewer=Mr. H Reviews|title=Pinhead – Interviewing Hellraiser Judgment's Paul T Taylor|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkHsCBqCFsU|publisher=Mr. H Reviews via YouTube|date=February 19, 2018|access-date=February 26, 2018|archive-date=November 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110155727/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkHsCBqCFsU&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release and marketing==
''Hellraiser: Judgment'' was initially scheduled for a 2017 release. In his interview with ''[[Dread Central]]'', Tunnicliffe stated that marketing would be kept to a minimum, aside from the promotional images and casting news that had been released: "It seems to me that any images or fodder given out in good faith are kinda twisted around{{snd}}usually to the negative{{snd}}so the best response really is the film itself".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Decker|first1=Sean|title=Editorial: Why Ingrate Fanboys Need to Let Go of Territorialism (and Why Hellraiser: Judgment Might Be Awesome)|url=https://dreadcentral.com/news/180233/editorial-ingrate-fanboys-need-let-go-territorialism-hellraiser-judgment-might-awesome/|website=Dread Central|date=July 29, 2016|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=October 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025221352/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/180233/editorial-ingrate-fanboys-need-let-go-territorialism-hellraiser-judgment-might-awesome/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Harvey Weinstein]] is said to be too embarrassed in promoting ''Judgment'', thus credited to delaying the film's release.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Brady|first=Tara|title=Hellraiser: Judgment film review. Hell is another Hellraiser movie|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/hellraiser-judgment-film-review-hell-is-another-hellraiser-movie-1.4485258|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-18|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|publisher=Irish Times Trust|language=en|archive-date=February 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219073451/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/hellraiser-judgment-film-review-hell-is-another-hellraiser-movie-1.4485258}}</ref>

Taylor gave a possible explanation in October for the delay, saying the film may not have finished post-production: "I have a reliable source who just informed me that ''Hellraiser: Judgment'' has been on a shelf for a while, unfinished. But now that Harvey Weinstein is out of the picture, ''Hellraiser: Judgment'' has been taken off that shelf and is back in post-production".<!-- Facebook not verified, but there are sources listed on the Talk Page that back up the account's legitimacy.--><ref>{{cite web|last1=Taylor|first1=Paul|title=Paul T. Taylor on Facebook: "Seriously, I have a reliable source who just informed me that HELLRAISER: JUDGEMENT has been on a shelf for a while, unfinished. But now that Harvey Weinstein is out of the picture, HR:J has been taken off that shelf and is back in post-production, thanks to Bob Weinstein's love of horror films and his new-found freedom. He runs Dimension Films, the owner of the HELLRAISER franchise. I suspected something like this might happen and I'm so glad I was right".|url=https://www.facebook.com/pinheadpaul/posts/833189600186864|publisher=Paul T. Taylor via Facebook|date=October 16, 2017|access-date=November 27, 2017|archive-date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128044234/https://www.facebook.com/pinheadpaul/posts/833189600186864|url-status=live}}</ref> Taylor expanded on his reasoning in a later interview, stating the film might not have been released if not for the [[Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations|sexual abuse allegations against Weinstein]], which financially compromised the studio.<ref name="1428Int" />

The film's trailer and release date were released on January 9, 2018. After nearly two years of silence from Dimension Films, [[Lionsgate Films]] picked up the distribution rights for ''Hellraiser: Judgment'' and ''Children of the Corn: Runaway''; the former was released on digital and [[home video|home media]] platforms on February 13.<ref name="ReleaseDate1">{{cite web|last=Kennedy|first=Michael|url=https://screenrant.com/pinhead-hellraiser-judgment-trailer/|title=Pinhead is Back in Hellraiser: Judgment Trailer|website=Screen Rant|date=January 9, 2018|access-date=January 9, 2018|archive-date=January 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109202652/https://screenrant.com/pinhead-hellraiser-judgment-trailer/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="trailer" /><ref name="WhatHappened" /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Burwick|first1=Kevin|title=Children of the Corn: Runaway Trailer Arrives and It's Creepy|url=https://movieweb.com/children-of-the-corn-10-trailer-runaway-movie/|website=Movie Web|date=January 24, 2018|access-date=February 9, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222225830/https://movieweb.com/children-of-the-corn-10-trailer-runaway-movie/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the United States and Canada, the film made a total of US$426,290 in home media sales: US$83,599 on [[DVD]] and US$343,029 on [[Blu-ray]].<ref name="box office">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Hellraiser-Judgment#tab=summary|title=Hellraiser: Judgment (2018)|website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]|access-date=February 20, 2019|archive-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318044452/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Hellraiser-Judgment#tab=summary|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Hellraiser-Judgment-Blu-ray/195630/ | title=Hellraiser: Judgment Blu-ray (Hellraiser X)}}</ref>

==Critical response==
<!-- [[WP:LOCALCONSENSUS]] Not to include Rotten Tomatoes score, as less than 20 reviews were listed. See Talk page. -->

The film was favorably compared to the franchise's earlier sequels,<ref name="ColliderReview">{{cite news|last1=Foutch|first1=Haleigh|title='Hellraiser: Judgment' Review: A Fitting Balance of Pleasure and Pain|url=https://collider.com/hellraiser-judgment-review/#images|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=February 13, 2018|access-date=February 13, 2018|archive-date=February 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213190654/http://collider.com/hellraiser-judgment-review/#images|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|last1=Thompson|first1=Luke|title=Review: 'Hellraiser: Judgment' Plays Like The Low-Budget 'Spawn' Reboot We've Been Promised|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lukethompson/2018/02/08/review-hellraiser-judgment-spawn-reboot/ |website=[[Forbes]]|date=February 8, 2018|access-date=February 9, 2018|archive-date=February 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209032621/https://www.forbes.com/sites/lukethompson/2018/02/08/review-hellraiser-judgment-spawn-reboot/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IGNReview">{{cite web|last1=Bibbiani|first1=William|date=February 14, 2018|title='Hellraiser: Judgment' Review|url=https://ign.com/articles/2018/02/14/hellraiser-judgment-review|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215011339/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/02/14/hellraiser-judgment-review|archive-date=February 15, 2018|access-date=February 14, 2018|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> with Brad Miska of [[Bloody Disgusting]] calling it "the most authentic ''Hellraiser'' since ''Bloodline.''"<ref name="BloodyReview">{{cite web|last1=Miska|first1=Brad|date=February 1, 2018|title=[Review] Sluggish 'Hellraiser: Judgment' Still Has Grotesque Charm|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3480486/review-hellraiser-judgment/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202001804/http://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3480486/review-hellraiser-judgment/|archive-date=February 2, 2018|access-date=February 1, 2018|website=Bloody Disgusting}}</ref> ''[[Collider (website)|Collider]]''<nowiki/>'s Haleigh Foutch praised its attempt to expand the Hellraiser universe, but found the execution sloppy due to a low budget and "pedestrian" human drama.<ref name="ColliderReview" /> ''[[Forbes]]'' critic Luke Y. Thompson wrote that it integrated the Earth and Hell scenes more effectively than previous sequels and praised the additional mythology as "the best attempt since the early, more [Clive] Barker-infused theatrical films to deliver a coherent cosmology." However, he criticized the [[suggested retail price]] of the release, recommending it only for ''Hellraiser'' fans.<ref name=":1" /> Although Miska found ''Judgment'' "sluggish", he noted the narrative served its purpose as a lead-in to the finale: "Everything comes full circle in the final moments, adding an entirely new dimension to the Hellraiser franchise," yet the film is "solely for ''Hellraiser'' apologists."<ref name="BloodyReview" />

Some critics deemed it the worst of the franchise, with ''[[The Irish Times]]''<nowiki/>' Tara Brady becoming pessimistic over the franchise's future, and Scott Weinberg of ''[[Thrillist]]'' giving up on it entirely, also noting that its reputation has decayed anyway, leaving ''Judgment'' with few potential buyers.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Leslie|first=Felperin|date=2021-02-25|title=Hellraiser: Judgment review – diminishing, misogynist returns for classic franchise|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/feb/25/hellraiser-judgment-review|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227172011/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/feb/25/hellraiser-judgment-review|archive-date=2021-02-27|access-date=2021-08-05|website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Critical reviews mainly decried bland acting <ref name=":2" /> and storyline. ''[[Birth.Movies.Death]]'s'' Scott Wampler was also disappointed by the lack of screentime for Pinhead, though he anticipated a future Tunnicliffe film "with a decent budget, or less meddling from the rights holders."<ref name=":3">{{cite web|last1=Wampler|first1=Scott|date=February 12, 2018|title=Review: 'Hellraiser: Judgment' Makes Hell A Place On Earth|url=http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2018/02/12/review-hellraiser-judgment-makes-hell-a-place-on-earth|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216161559/http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2018/02/12/review-hellraiser-judgment-makes-hell-a-place-on-earth|archive-date=February 16, 2018|access-date=February 13, 2018|website=Birth.Movies.Death}}</ref> Andrew Gaudion of ''FilmHounds'' additionally called it a boring copy of the 1995 thriller ''[[Seven (1995 film)|Seven]]'' and "half baked when it comes to constructing its central gimmick." He, and ''We Got This Covered's'' Matt Donato, found the [[police procedural]] elements generic and cliched, with the latter opining that the gore and Hell elements are inadequate; he called the film "one of the least realized, most throwaway" of the series.<ref name="WGTC">{{cite web|last1=Donato|first1=Matt|title=Hellraiser: Judgment Review|url=http://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/hellraiser-judgment-review/#gallery-6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211060438/http://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/hellraiser-judgment-review/#gallery-6|archive-date=February 11, 2018|access-date=February 11, 2018|website=We Got This Covered|date=February 10, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gaudion|first=Andrew|date=2021-02-10|title=You Will Suffer – Hellraiser: Judgment (Film Review)|url=https://filmhounds.co.uk/2021/02/you-will-suffer-hellraiser-judgment-film-review/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210110056/https://filmhounds.co.uk/2021/02/you-will-suffer-hellraiser-judgment-film-review/|archive-date=2021-02-10|access-date=2021-08-06|website=FilmHounds}}</ref>

The film's special effects and [[Surrealism|surreal]] imagery received mixed reviews: Foutch and Gaudion enjoyed them,<ref name="ColliderReview" /> while ''[[The Guardian]]''<nowiki/>'s Felperin calling the effects fake looking, though praised the production design;<ref name=":2" /> the imagery was criticized by Weinberg.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Weinberg|first=Scott|date=2018-02-17|title='Hellraiser: Judgment' Is the Ninth Sequel in a Franchise That Needs to Die|url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/hellraiser-judgment-review|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630194656/https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/hellraiser-judgment-review|archive-date=2021-06-30|access-date=2021-08-05|website=[[Thrillist]]}}</ref> Although ''[[IGN]]'''s William Bibbiani called the pacing "brisk," he deemed the story a faded carbon copy of other, better serial killer thrillers, and felt the new additions to the ''Hellraiser'' mythology rob the Cenobites of their deviant allure and otherworldly menace.<ref name="IGNReview" /> Wampler criticized the acting, story, and lack of screentime for Pinhead, calling the film a "mixed bag with the stuff I enjoyed ultimately outweighed by the stuff I did not."<ref name=":3" /> Steve Barton of ''Dread Central'' disagreed, stating that the acting and story are surprisingly good: "Pinhead is omnipresent, and Taylor delivers a worthy performance and is every bit as majestic as you'd hope he'd be."<ref name="Dread Review" />

==Future==
''Judgment'' expands on lore introduced in the earliest films, with Taylor calling it a jumping-off point for a sequel that tells a "true" ''Hellraiser'' script with an ambiguous ending. He said the characters in the film could be used in future installments and expressed an interest in returning as Pinhead,<ref name="TaylorTrunk" /> but stated he would also be content with a bigger-budgeted [[reboot (fiction)|reboot]] starring Doug Bradley.<ref name="H1N2" /> Tunnicliffe had no particular idea for a sequel, [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]], or follow-up of any kind when developing the film, but has since suggested a scenario where the Auditor helps Pinhead reclaim his status to overthrow an incompetent successor; a "battle of the Hell priests".<ref name="NoOther" />

In May 2019, [[Spyglass Media Group]] began to develop a reboot of the series, with [[David S. Goyer]] serving as a writer and producer alongside [[Gary Barber]], who described the project as an "evolved" reimagining of the original film.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|title='Hellraiser' Revival in the Works With 'Dark Knight' Writer David S. Goyer|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/clive-barker-hellraiser-spyglass-david-goyer-1203205895/|website=[[Variety (Magazine)|Variety]]|date=May 6, 2019|access-date=September 7, 2019|archive-date=September 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913221519/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/clive-barker-hellraiser-spyglass-david-goyer-1203205895/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2020, writing team [[Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski]] came on to write, with [[David Bruckner]] attached to direct.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=April 10, 2020 |title=Spyglass' 'Hellraiser' Reboot Finds Its Writing/Directing Team (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/hellraiser-reboot-finds-writer-director-1289662 |access-date=August 21, 2021 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> The film, ''[[Hellraiser (2022 film)|Hellraiser]]'', released in October 2022 on [[Hulu]], with [[Jamie Clayton]] taking over the role of Pinhead.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=October 7, 2021 |title='Hellraiser' Reboot Unveils Full Cast, Including Jamie Clayton as Pinhead |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/hellraiser-reboot-clive-barker-female-pinhead-1235083239/ |access-date=October 7, 2021 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>

In April 2020, [[HBO]] finalized a deal with [[David Gordon Green]] to direct a ''[[Hellraiser (TV series)|Hellraiser]]'' television series, penned by [[Mark Verheiden]] and [[Michael Dougherty]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike|title=HBO Makes 'Hellraiser' Series Development Deal; 'Halloween's David Gordon Green To Direct Early Eps|url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/hellraiser-david-gordon-green-directing-hbo-series-halloween-pilot-1202918558/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=April 27, 2020|access-date=October 21, 2020|archive-date=April 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428012105/https://deadline.com/2020/04/hellraiser-david-gordon-green-directing-hbo-series-halloween-pilot-1202918558/|url-status=live}}</ref> The rights to the Stygian Inquisition remain with Tunnicliffe, who has expressed an interest in doing a novel or short story involving the Auditor or the Order of the Effluvium.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jenkins|first1=Jason|title=Gary J. Tunnicliffe Details the 'Hellraiser: Judgment' Sequel That Would've Introduced a New Hell Priest [Phantom Limbs]|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3627526/gary-j-tunnicliffe-details-hellraiser-judgment-sequel-wouldve-introduced-new-hell-priest-phantom-limbs/|website=Bloody Disgusting|date=August 13, 2020|access-date=October 21, 2020|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126235343/https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3627526/gary-j-tunnicliffe-details-hellraiser-judgment-sequel-wouldve-introduced-new-hell-priest-phantom-limbs/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bradley is open to returning to the Pinhead role, but only with the "right place, right time, right motives, right script{{spaces}}... Since I turned down both movies, I knew other actors would get to play the part. I don't know about 'taking over': enjoying temporary ownership, maybe". He was interested in starring in a film version of the ''Hellraiser'' novel ''[[The Scarlet Gospels]]'', but is unaware of any plans for such a film.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sprague|first1=Mike|title=Doug Bradley Says He Would Absolutely Return As Pinhead|url=https://joblo.com/horror-movies/news/doug-bradley-says-he-would-absolutely-return-as-pinhead-719|website=JoBlo|date=June 7, 2017|access-date=February 4, 2018|archive-date=January 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130023546/http://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/doug-bradley-says-he-would-absolutely-return-as-pinhead-719|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

* {{IMDb title|5476182}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|id=hellraiser_judgment}}
* {{Metacritic film}}

{{Hellraiser}}
{{Gary J. Tunnicliffe}}

[[Category:2018 horror films]]
[[Category:2018 films]]
[[Category:American direct-to-video films]]
[[Category:American supernatural horror films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Dimension Films films]]
[[Category:Direct-to-video horror films]]
[[Category:Direct-to-video sequel films]]
[[Category:Direct-to-video interquel films]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Clive Barker]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gary J. Tunnicliffe]]
[[Category:Hellraiser films]]
[[Category:2018 direct-to-video films]]
[[Category:2018 English-language films]]
[[Category:2018 American films]]
[[Category:2018 British films]]
[[Category:English-language horror films]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Hellraiser: Judgment|access_date=2026-03-03}}