I’ve all the time discovered it superb that Clive Barker’s The Hellbound Coronary heart spawned such a profitable franchise. On paper, it looks like a psychosexual story about demonic BDSM would solely join with a distinct segment viewers, however the continued reputation of Hellraiser media proves in any other case.
That’s why it’s no shock that Pinhead and the remainder of the Order of the Gash ultimately discovered a lifetime of their very own exterior of Barker’s unique work – and I’m not simply speaking concerning the franchise’s prolonged universe of comic-books, anthology novels and toys. Through the years, the Cenobites have made a collection of non-canon appearances in a slew of different media, with a few of them even popping up in works exterior of the horror style! With that in thoughts, we’ve determined to compile an inventory highlighting six Cenobite cameos from non-Hellraiser media.
For the needs of this record, we’ll be defining “Cenobite” as any demonic character modeled after Barker’s mutilated Hell Clergymen. That being mentioned, don’t overlook to remark beneath with your individual favourite Cenobite cameos if you happen to suppose we missed a very memorable one.
With that out of the best way, onto the record…
6. Toaster-Face – Enterprise Bros (2003)
From The Factor with Two Heads to The Craft, the seasonal particular A Very Enterprise Halloween options direct references to every kind of various horror media. Nonetheless, one of the crucial memorable moments on this supernatural-themed episode happens after we see a skinless Outrider partaking in excessive BDSM by reenacting a second from Hellraiser alongside his ex-wife Tatyana.
Being flayed alive whereas hanging from chains is ugly sufficient, however the scene additionally introduces us to the fearsome Toaster-Face, a self-explanatory Cenobite obsessive about so-called “Pleasure Toast.” Whereas his look is extremely temporary, Toaster-Face has since change into a favourite amongst followers because of the non-sequitur nature of this hyper-specific gag.
5. Ghastly – Ghost Grasp (2003)
Ghost Grasp will not be remembered as a hidden gem of the sixth console era, however this mid-budget 2003 title a minimum of will get factors for going all-in on its weird premise. Placing gamers within the footwear of a literal “Ghost Grasp” answerable for managing hauntings, this real-time technique/puzzle sport allows you to take management of spirits as you try and scare unsuspecting mortals.
In fact, essentially the most memorable of those spirits needs to be the Hellraiser-inspired “Ghastly,” a leather-clad demon clearly modeled after one of the crucial underrated Cenobites, the lovable Butterball. The builders truly preferred this freakish homage a lot that they initially supposed for Ghastly to be the sport’s fundamental mascot, although the Hellraiser connection finally led to them selecting the extra generic-looking “Boo” as an alternative.
4. Pinface – The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2001)
It’s no shock {that a} present a couple of Grim Reaper reluctantly becoming a member of a few youngsters on their supernatural adventures would function loads of horror film references, however the season seven episode The Present that Dare Not Communicate Its Title takes issues to the following stage by dedicating its total runtime to an kid-friendly satire of Hellraiser.
When a particularly bored Billy solves a cursed Rubix-like puzzle dice after being left dwelling alone by Grim, the villainous “Pinface” (thus-named due to the bowling pins that adorn his head) emerges from the Netherworld alongside his demonic entourage with a purpose to arrange a home occasion from hell.
As if that wasn’t sufficient of a deal with for style followers, Pinface additionally occurred to be voiced by John Kassir, who you might acknowledge as the long-lasting voice actor behind the unique Crypt Keeper!
3. The Vathek – The Excessive Ghostbusters (1997)
Whereas not as fashionable as its extra movie-accurate counterpart, The Excessive Ghostbusters nonetheless had loads of expertise happening behind the scenes, with one significantly entertaining episode being the primary season’s Deadline. On this spooky thriller, the GB staff investigates a bunch of creatures impressed by the work of a horror author named J.N. Kline (a play on Goosebumps’ R.L. Stine).
Whereas these creatures are the results of supernatural experiments reasonably than demonic puzzle bins, the monstrous Vathek are clearly meant to be Cenobite analogues, with their mutilated flesh and unusual clothes making for some surprisingly freaky imagery for a cartoon supposedly geared toward kids.
And right here’s a enjoyable truth: the identify Vathek is derived from William Beckford’s seminal gothic novel that additionally occurred to be one among H.P. Lovecraft’s greatest influences!
2. Fornicus– The Cabin within the Woods (2011)
It will be unusual if the Cenobites didn’t make an look in Drew Goddard’s cult traditional love letter to the horror style. And whereas I gained’t get into particulars with a purpose to keep away from spoiling this terrific horror-comedy to people who haven’t but had the pleasure of experiencing it for the primary time, suffice to say that one specific sequence of The Cabin within the Woods introduces us to a well-recognized mutilated face.
Wearing ragged leather-based clothes and gripping an ominous puzzle field (whereas additionally sporting round saws on his scarred head), the Hell-Priest Fornicus is an apparent reference to Barker’s BDSM-inspired monsters in addition to one of many coolest designs in a film that’s already overflowing with memorable antagonists. It’s only a disgrace that his demonic companions barely made it into the movie.
1. The Demons – Rick & Morty (2013)
From Cronenberg-inspired alternate dimensions to humorous Freddy Krueger knock-offs, Rick & Morty isn’t any stranger to incorporating horror parts into the present’s interdimensional shenanigans. In truth, the season 5 episode Amortycan Grickfitti options one of the crucial elaborate Cenobite appearances on this record by having Rick use Jerry’s grating persona to entertain a bunch of pain-loving demons – a choice that finally results in a hilarious rescue mission in hell.
The episode could provide a reasonably simplistic view on Clive Barker’s creations – because the canonical Cenobites are in a position to get pleasure from each excessive ache and pleasure – nevertheless it’s nonetheless outstanding {that a} mainstream comedy present would spend a lot time organising an prolonged homage to one of the crucial ugly horror franchises of all time.
