10 MORE Horror Movies Where The Monster Isn't The Villain
4. Hellraiser
At first, this entry may sound flat-out wrong, since Pinhead is one of the most evil beings in all of horror. However, the self-proclaimed Hell Priest earns his place here, as despite being the overarching antagonist of the Hellraiser franchise, Pinhead isn't technically a villain in the original film.
In that first instalment, hedonistic sadist Frank activates a demonic puzzle box called the Lament Configuration, banishing Frank to Hell. Hoping to revive him, Frank's lover Julia lures men to her home and slaughters them, using their blood to rejuvenate Frank's body. Though Frank believes he evaded eternal damnation, Pinhead and his Cenobite cohorts intend to return his soul to the underworld.
In the later movies, Pinhead was rewritten as the ultimate adversary, desperate to unleash Hell on Earth. But here, the grid-faced fiend just wants to collect what's owed to him. Pinhead scared the flip out of our hero, Kirsty, but the only person he punishes in the story is Frank.
Considering Frank is an unscrupulous maniac who tries to murder his own niece, Pinhead kind of did everybody a favour by sending him back to Hell.