Set in the world of the Cenobites, "Hellbound: Hellraiser II" is a horror film that follows the events that occurred after the first "Hellraiser" movie. Directed by Tony Randel, the movie was released in 1988 and stars Clare Higgins and Ashley Laurence in the lead roles. The movie picks up right where the first one left off. Kirsty Cotton (Ashley Laurence) is being taken to a mental asylum after surviving the horrific events that took place in her family's home. As she tries to convince the authorities about the existence of the demonic creatures called Cenobites, she finds herself in the care of a shady doctor named Channard (Kenneth Cranham).
As it turns out, Channard is obsessed with the Hellraiser puzzle box and has been searching for it his whole life. When Kirsty tells him about her experiences with the Cenobites, he sees it as an opportunity to explore the world of pleasure and pain that the puzzle box contains. Kirsty, who is still traumatized from her encounters, tries to convince Channard to destroy the box but he refuses.
In the meantime, Channard is also treating another patient named Tiffany (Imogen Boorman) who is a troubled teenager with a talent for puzzles. When Channard discovers that Tiffany has solved the puzzle box, he sees it as an opportunity to enter the world of the Cenobites. The doctor uses a device called the "soul machine" to resurrect Julia (Clare Higgins), Kirsty's evil stepmother, who had been killed in the first movie.
As Julia is brought back to life, she begins to help Channard in his quest to enter the world of the Cenobites. But Kirsty is not one to sit idly by and watch the world fall apart. She teams up with a young man named Kyle (William Hope) who is also a patient at the asylum, and together they discover a way to enter the Hell dimension and put an end to the madness.
What follows is a terrifying journey into the depths of Hell as Kirsty and Kyle fight to save their souls and the souls of the people they care about. Along the way, they meet new Cenobites, including one named Butterball, who is a grotesque creature with a rotund body and chains that protrude from his flesh.
The special effects in the movie are incredible, and the creatures are grotesque and terrifying. The movie is not for the faint of heart, and there are many moments where the audience will be left cringing in their seats. However, the movie is not all gore and horror; it also has its moments of beauty and compassion.
Overall, "Hellbound: Hellraiser II" is a well-crafted horror movie that expands on the lore of its predecessor. The acting is solid, and the story is engaging. The movie is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy horror, it is a must-see. The ending is satisfying, and it sets up the potential for more movies in the series.
