10 Weaknesses Of Great Horror Films

This is less an example of an outright flaw, and more a case of wasted potential.

There's a hell of a lot to analyse in Hellraiser - it's far deeper than meets the eye - but there's no shame in simply admiring its many incredible, stomach-churning practical effects. It's easy to see how Hellraiser was able to capture the public imagination as it did, not least because there is much to admire visually. The Cenobite design looks amazing, and Frank, in his various regenerative forms, looks suitably repulsive.

However, one memorable visual display at the end of the film, as impressive as the effect looks, serves little purpose and makes for quite an underwhelming finale. The guardian of the Lament Configuration, who throughout has appeared to Kirsty as a mysterious, disheveled vagrant, retrieves the box from a bonfire and emerges a strange, skeletal dragon-like creature. Roll credits.

It's a interesting concept and a great looking visual, but could a stronger ending not have been thought up? Or, at the very least, a good transformation scene from man to creature? The effects team were more than capable, as demonstrated by Frank's incredible bodily assembly under the floorboards.

The mysterious guardian had real potential which was never realised - more could have been done with him, without spoiling his mystery.