Hellraiser Review: 6 Ups & 4 Downs

3. Odessa A'zion's Solid Lead Performance

Hellraiser 2022 Riley
Hulu

Bruckner absolutely needed to cast a compelling actress in the role of protagonist Riley, especially considering how she's in almost every scene of the movie, and that he certainly did with Odessa A'zion.

A'zion - daughter of celebrated actress Pamela Adlon - gives a gripping performance as Riley, a young woman struggling to overcome substance abuse issues while also attempting to rescue her disappeared brother from the Cenobites.

Without A'zion's compelling performance it'd be a lot tougher to sympathise with Riley, whose decision-making throughout the story is skittish at best, if not downright frustrating.

Yet A'zion never lets us forget what she's suffering through, and in turn makes her a compelling protagonist, even if Riley's certainly no Kirsty Cotton - but who is?

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.