What Are Pinhead's Powers In The Hellraiser Franchise?

Several actors have portrayed Pinhead in "Hellraiser" movies at the time of this writing. Doug Bradley is arguably the most notable performer to play the Hell Priest, having starred in the original film and a slew of sequels afterward. Jamie Clayton, on the other hand, is the future as she was tasked with reinventing the character in Hulu's upcoming "Hellraiser" reboot. She's also the first woman to ever bring the sadomasochistic demon to life on the screen, which is a refreshing change of pace.

While every Pinhead performer has brought their own quirks to the role, the core components of the character have remained the same. For a start, the demon is always pale, terrifying, and has pins sticking out of its head. 

With this particular hellspawn, though, you're always guaranteed to find a fiendish entity who has the same set of powers and abides by the same rules, regardless of who's behind the suit at the time. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of Pinhead's powers and abilities.

Pinhead is a powerful demon who shouldn't be summoned unless you have a death wish. However, the creature has strict rules to follow and can't just unleash its abilities on anyone. Along with the Cenobites, Pinhead can only be summoned via a Lemarchand's Box, though the mystical puzzle boxes can also be used against the demons as reversing them will send them back to Hell.

Of course, sending Pinhead back to the pit is easier said than done. The demon has the ability to conjure chains and hooks out of thin air, and they're used to trap and torture the Cenobites' victims before they're torn to shreds. Oftentimes, people are pierced by the chains before they've even caught a glimpse of Pinhead, so evading the Hell Priest isn't always an option. Pinhead is also a master of disguise who can take the appearance of other people. The creature's other abilities include immortality, teleportation, and the ability to turn people into Cenobites. 

In Clive Barker's "The Scarlet Gospels," the demon kills magicians, gains their knowledge, and is able to travel to Earth on his own accord. This version of Pinhead hasn't been portrayed in the "Hellraiser movies," though the monster does embark on an unrestrained rampage in "Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth."