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| “ | He is God. | „ |
| ~ Declan about Rawhead Rex. |
Rawhead Rex is the titular main antagonist of the short story of the same name by the horror author Clive Barker, and its 1986 fantasy horror film adaptation of the same name. The original short story was published in the third volume of the Books Of Blood series.
He is an ancient and evil demi-god of immense malevolence with a carnivorous nature and insatiable thirst for blood. His notorious reputation was built upon his horrifying acts of consuming innocent children and subjecting women to his abhorrent acts of rape.
In the 1986 film, he was portrayed by Heinrich von Schellendorf.
Appearance[]
| “ | For Garrow, death was imminent, and he knew it. He looked down at his legs thrashing uselessly below him, then he looked up and stared directly into Rawhead's pitiless face. It was huge, like the harvest moon, huge and amber. But this Moon had eyes that burned in its pallid, pitted face. They were for all the world like wounds, those eyes, as thought someone had gouged them in the flesh of Rawhead's face then set two candles to flicker in the holes. Garrow was entranced by the vastness of this Moon. He looked from eye to eye and then to the wet slits that were its nose, and finally, in a childish terror, down to its mouth. God, that mouth. It was so side, so cavernous. It seemed to split the head in two as it opened. That was Thomas Garrow's last thought. That the Moon was splitting in two and falling out of the sky on top of him. | „ |
| ~ Thomas Garrow's last moments in Rawhead Rex's hands. |
In the original story, Clive Barker described the monster as a 9-foot tall walking phallus with a face like raw meat (hence his name) featuring a large mouth with very sharp teeth. The graphic novel further characterizes Rawhead Rex's appearance by making him lanky and blue.
He is quite different in the movie, looking shorter (albeit still much taller than any of the people in the film) and more ogre-like and fully dressed in armor, with the exception of his head and his exposed chest, which remains uncovered all the way down his abs. He sports a thick and messy mohawk, red glowing eyes, light brown skin and lion-like teeth and a row of human-like teeth further down his gullet.
Personality[]
| “ | He's pure evil. Pure power. Pure terror. | „ |
| ~ The tagline for the movie version of Rawhead Rex. |
Rawhead Rex's behaviour is inspired by wild men from European folklore and mythology. Like them, Rawhead is a feral and beastlike as well as somewhat furry or hairy humanoid creature that lurks in the woods.
Rawhead Rex's inner thoughts on fire.
Both in the short story (and its graphic novel adaptation) and the movie, Rawhead Rex is sadistic and brutal, killing all in his presence, even children, with great delight (though it's more apparent in the story, where the creature's smile is written in words, and the graphic novel compared to the movie where Rawhead Rex seems to kill in a more animalistic manner). In the short story and graphic novel, he only decides not to kill a woman because she is on her period (or the "blood cycle"), which sickens him, as do pregnant women (which is touched upon but left unexplained in the film). Otherwise, he has no issues killing or raping them.
In the short story and graphic novel, Rawhead adapts as he learns more about the new world. In the past he'd used fire to cremate the corpses of his victims, but after seeing the effects of gas and a car on fire, he became aware of a new lethal weapon he could use.
Some interpret Rawhead's phallic appearance as him symbolizing masculine aggression, or likely a representation of the male sex drive to its absolute worst and most horrific extreme.
Biography[]
| “ | Burying him was their first mistake. Unleashing him was their last. | „ |
| ~ Tagline for the movie. |
Rawhead Rex was an age-old, wicked, meat-eating creature with an insatiable thirst for blood, causing immense fear and havoc in the small English town of Zeal, which served as his abode. His monstrous reputation was built upon his gruesome acts of devouring innocent children and subjecting women to violations and forced pregnancies. Interestingly, Rawhead's vulnerability was limited exclusively to pregnant women or those menstruating, which were the only instances that triggered a sense of fear within him. However, the horrifying reign of Rawhead eventually came to an end when the courageous townsfolk took matters into their own hands and sealed him in a deep burial, ensuring his confinement for countless centuries to come.
Many centuries had passed since Rawhead had been locked away in his confinement. However, fate would have it that a luckless farmer unwittingly set him free, only to meet a grisly end as Rawhead callously pushed him down the very hole that had held him captive. With his newfound freedom, Rawhead's insatiable thirst for power propelled him into a rampage of brutality. His first target was a peaceful farm, where he ruthlessly slaughtered the entire family residing there. The bloodlust within him only grew stronger as he proceeded to assault a brave police officer, savagely removing his manhood with a single swipe of his menacing claw. To compound the officer's agony, Rawhead stumbled upon some gasoline, quickly grasping its potential for devastation. Without hesitation, he cruelly set the helpless law enforcer ablaze, extinguishing his life in a horrifying inferno.
Upon reaching the nearby church, Rawhead successfully corrupted the Verger who was a member of the local community, manipulating him into becoming his accomplice in committing a heinous act - the murder of the respected Vicar known as Coot. This sinister partnership only served to fuel Rawhead's insatiable thirst for bloodshed, as he embarked on a ruthless killing spree that left the townspeople in a state of terror and despair. One particularly horrifying incident unfolded when Rawhead mercilessly snatched a helpless child, right before the eyes of their anguished father, Ron. The sheer brutality of this act sent shockwaves through the community, leaving them gripped by fear and sorrow. As the chaos continued to unfold, an unexpected discovery emerged - a revelation that would potentially hold the key to Rawhead's undoing. It was revealed that Rawhead had a profound weakness, one that instilled genuine fear within him - a symbol representing a pregnant woman. This emblem of femininity and impending motherhood stood as Rawhead's direct opposite, the only force capable of striking fear into his malevolent heart.
When Ron discovers the ancient idol named Rawhead, who is filled with fear of losing to Ron, he decides to set the entire town on fire in order to kill all the innocent townsfolk. Unfortunately for Rawhead, his plan doesn't go as expected because Ron cleverly uses a symbol to halt Rawhead's power, causing him to weaken. This gives the townsfolk an opportunity to unite and attack Rawhead, relentlessly beating him. Ron seizes the chance and utilizes the idol to strike Rawhead's skull with a forceful blow, ultimately bringing about his demise.
Film[]
Rawhead Rex's jumpscare before the movie ends.
In the movie, Rawhead's appearance undergoes significant changes from its original depiction, and the explicit sexual elements are considerably reduced. These elements are subtly hinted at, such as Rawhead's vulnerability to a magical rock that can only be activated by a woman's touch. Additionally, Rawhead's behavior includes a rather unorthodox act of baptizing one of his followers by urinating on their face and body. However, it is important to note that Rawhead is not portrayed as a rapist; instead, his primary motive is to kill humans, often by puncturing their jugular artery with his sharp fangs.
In contrast to the original narrative, the character is depicted as being alive and well by the conclusion of the story.
Powers and Abilities[]
Rawhead Rex, despite being a demon, does not possess a substantial amount of magical abilities. However, he does have the power to evoke an overwhelming sense of anxiety in those who are unfortunate enough to be near him, particularly affecting women. This unsettling effect is so profound that it leaves an everlasting imprint on their memories, as Rawhead Rex has left them scarred either through acts of rape or the horrifying act of murdering their innocent children.
Rawhead Rex possesses a remarkable and noteworthy power, one that truly sets him apart from other creatures. This extraordinary ability, which is vividly depicted in the original story, the graphic novel, and the film adaptation, is his unparalleled superhuman strength. Rawhead's immense physical prowess is demonstrated vividly as he effortlessly tears through flesh and effortlessly rends individuals apart, leaving no doubt as to the extent of his formidable might. It is worth noting that when Rawhead viciously ends the life of a pony within the confines of a barn, it becomes apparent that he is accustomed to engaging with creatures much larger and possessing superior weaponry. This macabre incident, in turn, implies that Rawhead has existed since ancient times, firmly establishing his longevity and presence throughout history.
Rawhead is susceptible to injuries from normal weapons, although they may not hinder him if he is in a state of bloodlust. For instance, a bullet from a rifle can penetrate his body, yet he can endure the wound without paying it any mind. However, if he is not in a bloodthirsty state or caught off guard, a group of men armed with guns and machetes can inflict fatal wounds on him, as demonstrated in both the original story and the graphic novel. Ultimately, Rawhead meets his demise when his head is brutally crushed with an idol, resembling a small boulder.
Rawhead Rex potentially shrugs off bullets and an explosion.
In the movie, Rawhead Rex is depicted as possessing exceptional strength and endurance. This is demonstrated when he effortlessly flips over a van, showcasing his immense physical power. Additionally, his durability is highlighted as he withstands multiple bullet shots without succumbing to them. Moreover, Rawhead Rex exhibits his resilience by surviving a powerful explosion caused by a gas tank nearby, resulting in the complete destruction of a van in its vicinity.
In a departure from the original storyline, his defeat takes a unique twist as he is rendered helpless in a manner that diverges from the source material. This unforeseen turn of events unfolds when he becomes immobilized by the power of the idol, causing the ground beneath him to crumble and collapse, effectively entombing him along with the idol itself. However, the climax of the story takes an unexpected turn as it is later unveiled that he manages to break free from beneath the earth's surface, emerging victorious once again.
Weakness[]
One of Rawhead Rex's primary weaknesses lies in its limited intelligence. Although it possesses raw power, the creature lacks the ability to strategize or think critically. It relies solely on its primal instincts, making it predictable and susceptible to clever tactics. By employing cunning and outsmarting the beast, one can gain an advantage and potentially defeat it.
Additionally, Rawhead Rex's monstrous appearance and terrifying demeanor can be utilized to manipulate its emotions. By inciting fear or anger, individuals can distract the creature, momentarily disrupting its concentration and reducing its effectiveness in battle. This emotional vulnerability can be exploited to create openings for attack or to gain an advantage over the creature. Another weakness of Rawhead Rex is its susceptibility to fire.
The creature's thick and scaly hide provides a formidable defense against most conventional weapons, rendering them ineffective. However, fire proves to be its Achilles' heel. The intense heat and flames have the power to harm and weaken the monster, making it more susceptible to attacks. This vulnerability to fire allows for a more strategic approach when confronting Rawhead Rex, as it provides an opportunity to exploit its weakness and potentially defeat it. The weakness of the monstrous creature known as Rawhead Rex can be attributed to a variety of factors that make it vulnerable and easier to defeat.
Despite its seemingly invincible nature, there are certain weaknesses that can be exploited by those brave enough to face it. Furthermore, Rawhead Rex is heavily reliant on its physical attributes, particularly its brute strength. This reliance on sheer force can be turned against it. By creating traps or using its environment to their advantage, individuals facing Rawhead Rex can weaken its attacks and potentially incapacitate it. Its lack of adaptability and over-reliance on its physical prowess make it vulnerable to those who can exploit its predictability.
Trivia[]
- Heinrich von Schellendorf worked out for two months in order to get into shape to play Rawhead Rex. Moreover, it took two hours to put von Schellendorf in the Rawhead Rex costume.
- He was 6' 11" (2.11 m) at the time.
- Clive Barker hated the film, being very unhappy with some of the acting and especially with Rawhead Rex's ogre-like design, as he intended the monster to look like a giant phallus, since he'd written the screenplay and the movie was mostly faithful to the original story. This dissatisfaction inspired him to take a more central role when making Hellraiser.
- The special effects team only had four weeks to make the Rawhead Rex costume. Moreover, said costume was done as a single piece with latex skin. Despite budget restraints, the fiberglass and animatronic head gave Rawhead Rex movement and the ability to emote, and there were fiber optics and deflectors put in the creature’s eyes to give that glowing movement effect. The creature also had animatronic hands for his retractable claws.
External Links[]
- Rawhead Rex on the Pure Evil Wiki
