Allegory is replaced by the just plain gory in the first sequel to Clive Barker's ground-breaking macabre masochistic myth about the dark angels of hell and their Faustian bargains. Kenneth Cranham is the demented doctor anxious to meet the Cenobite messengers, while asylum inmate Ashley Laurence (still recovering from Hellraiser events) is forced to fight the invoked demons for her father's soul. Routinely directed by Tony Randel, some disturbing eeriness is conjured up between the blood-soaked illogicalities and outlandish inconsistencies. The original sombre shocker was a thought-provoking study in carnal terrors - this is more a three-ring circus of pretentious horror.

Confined to a mental hospital, young Kirsty Cotton insists her supposedly dead father is stuck in hell, controlled by sadomasochistic demons after being betrayed by his evil, occult-obsessed wife, Julia. Few believe Kirsty, except the thrill-seeking Dr. Channard, who is intrigued by the young woman's lurid stories. So when Kirsty and fellow patient Tiffany head to hell for a rescue, Channard and Julia are close behind.