“We didn’t want to demonise fetish or BDSM”: People aren’t dying in horror game Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival because of what they do in the bedroom
Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is a horror game that takes a deliberate, non-judgmental approach to its BDSM and fetish themes. The game centers on protagonist Aidan and his partner Sunny, who explore their sexuality together through consensual BDSM play. Their narrative unfolds when they discover a mysterious puzzle box that, when solved, summons the Cenobites—demonic beings associated with torture and extreme sensation.
Crucially, the game’s horror elements are not framed as punishment for the characters’ sexual desires or practices. Instead, the developers treat consensual pleasure and pain as morally neutral aspects of the narrative, distinguishing them from the genuine supernatural threat introduced by the box itself. This philosophy is reflected in the development team’s stated approach: “We show female pain, male pain, female pleasure, male pleasure,” indicating an inclusive representation of sexuality across gender lines without moral judgment.
The plot follows Aidan as he negotiates with the Cenobites to rescue Sunny and restore her after a gruesome fate. By grounding its horror in supernatural consequence rather than moral punishment for sexual expression, the game explores mature themes of desire, redemption, and survival with nuance. This approach represents a more sophisticated treatment of adult themes than is typical in mainstream horror games.