Unveiling Clive Barker's Forgotten 80s Creature Feature: A Must-Read Before Hellraiser

Clive Barker is often regarded as a top contender among horror authors whose works have been adapted into movies, potentially earning him the silver medal in this category. Unlike Stephen King, Barker is heavily involved in the production process, although the final outcomes of his projects exhibit a similar range in quality. For several decades, Barker has achieved iconic status through renowned films such as Hellraiser in the 80s and Candyman in the 90s. However, not all of his endeavors achieve the same level of fame. Among his projects, Rawhead Rex stands out as one of the most entertaining films, albeit unintentionally. In today's high demands for "so bad it's good" entertainment, shows like Mystery Science Theater 3000, Rifftrax, or Red Letter Media's Half in the Bag and Best of the Worst have become popular platforms that expose hidden gems that both shock and amaze audiences. Despite Clive Barker's best efforts, Rawhead Rex is an excellent choice for anyone seeking their next bad movie night.

What is Rawhead Rex about?

The titular Rawhead, also known as Bloody Bones since 1548, is a legendary boogeyman figure appearing in bedtime stories, aimed at instilling good behavior in children. Emerging from an unremarkable field in Ireland following a lightning strike on a stone column, Rawhead Rex's awakening prompts researcher Howard Hallenbeck to relocate his family to the vicinity in pursuit of knowledge about religious artifacts. During his investigations, he encounters O'Brien, a local individual involved with the church, as well as Reverend Coot. A tragic turn of events unfolds when O'Brien's sanity deteriorates after coming into contact with a mystical altar. Despite the best efforts of the authorities to locate the savage beast responsible, it is Howard who stumbles upon clues hinting at the existence of an ancient weapon capable of vanquishing Rawhead. As the monster continues its horrifying spree, threatening the entire community's well-being, it becomes apparent that Howard may be humanity's last hope in overcoming this age-old malevolence.

What did Clive Barker say about Rawhead Rex?

Clive Barker is known for his blunt nature. He not only wrote the source material, a short story featured in part three of his Books of Blood series, but also penned the film's script. Barker openly shares his thoughts on the film, offering a mix of praise and criticism. Rex marked Barker's second screenplay, and while he believes the final product stayed fairly true to his script, it failed to create a lasting impression. Barker expresses disappointment in director George Pavlou's unwillingness to take risks, especially considering their previous collaboration on Barker's debut feature-length script, Underworld. The original short story follows a chilling monster that preys on children during a sweltering English summer, but for the film adaptation, the setting was moved to Ireland in February, and the violence against children was omitted. Barker argues that the movie should have embraced a no-holds-barred approach, with a more intense and visceral experience. Alongside his criticism of the film, Barker acknowledges that Rawhead Rex does have its defenders. Despite being widely considered a flop, this bizarre monster movie manages to captivate viewers due to its strangeness and alienation. Fans of the "so bad it's good" subgenre have discovered plenty to appreciate in Rawhead Rex.

How does Rawhead Rex end?

Rawhead marks O'Brien as his own by drenching him in urine, causing him to lose his sanity. In a deranged state, O'Brien attempts to sacrifice Coot to the monstrous creature. Meanwhile, Rawhead wreaks havoc in the church while Coot uncovers ancient records. Despite the police's efforts to intervene, a massive explosion claims their lives as Rawhead obliterates Coot. Howard emerges and confronts O'Brien, who is under Rawhead's control, as the brainwashed verger sets fire to books. Howard overpowers O'Brien, destroys a concealed altar, and discovers a weapon capable of defeating Rawhead. Armed with a mystical stone, he attempts to strike the creature, but it proves ineffective. Rawhead brutally kills O'Brien, and then turns his attention to Howard, causing him to lose his grip on the stone.

In a desperate act, Howard's wife, Elaine, picks up the stone and it emits a powerful beam of light. Rawhead visibly suffers from the attack, allowing Howard to escape. The stone can only be wielded by a woman and it transforms into the figure of a female, emitting several electric beams that penetrate Rawhead's body. Defenseless, Rawhead is struck down by Howard with a shovel. The creature tumbles into a nearby hole, and Elaine throws the stone after him. Giant stones descend, crushing Rawhead beneath their weight. With Rawhead seemingly defeated, Howard and Elaine share a moment of grief. However, in a startling final shot, Rawhead emerges from his grave, causing a jump scare.

Rawhead Rex stands out as both unique and formulaic. While considered risk-averse by Clive Barker, there are still moments of absurdity that set it apart from the rest. The lackluster production of Rawhead Rex does have a silver lining. Clive Barker was motivated to write and adapt more of his own scripts. Just a year after Rawhead Rex, Barker embarked on a big-screen version of his novella, The Hellbound Heart. Displeased with the initial adaptations, Barker took matters into his own hands and directed the third installment himself. Hellraiser, as a result, became his most iconic and acclaimed film. Barker had to endure a few messy attempts before finding the adaptation that would catapult him to household name status. Rawhead Rex remains a captivating addition to the esteemed horror creator's body of work.