Somewhere in North Africa, Frank Cotton, portrayed by Sean Chapman, acquires a mysterious antique puzzle box from a dealer who inquires, "What's your pleasure, Sir?" Once back in his English home, Frank attempts to solve the puzzle, triggering a horrifying sequence where chains shoot out from the box, ripping into his flesh. This gruesome act summons the Cenobites, demonic entities from another realm, led by the terrifying Pinhead (played by Doug Bradley). They inspect the remnants of Frank's body, reassembling his disfigured face and returning the puzzle box to its original state, leaving the room untouched as if the horror never occurred.
Soon after, Frank's brother, Larry Cotton, portrayed by Andrew Robinson, relocates to the same abandoned house he shared with Frank during childhood, accompanied by his second wife, Julia Cotton, played by Clare Higgins. Unbeknownst to Larry, Julia harbors a dark secret—an extramarital affair with Frank. The state of the house is deplorable, with spoiled food littering the kitchen, leading them to believe Frank is merely away on another escapade. Larry's teenage daughter, Kirsty Cotton, played by Ashley Laurence, opts to live independently rather than with her stepmother.
A disturbing incident occurs when Larry injures himself on a nail while moving a mattress, causing him to feel faint at the sight of his own blood. Drawing curiosity, he proceeds to the attic where Julia waits in the very room where Frank met his demise. As Larry's blood drips onto the floor, it seeps into the hidden remains of Frank, nourishing him back to life. Awakened and in agonizing pain, the resurrected Frank emits a horrifying shriek.
Julia soon discovers Frank—now a grotesque and partially reformed creature—alone in the attic. Disturbed by his hideous appearance, she initially hesitates, but Frank's plea, reminding her of her promises during their affair, ultimately compels her to assist him. Julia indulges Frank's dark desires, luring unsuspecting men to the attic where he can drain their blood to further restore himself. With each victim, Frank grows stronger, expressing to Julia how he has broken his pact with the Cenobites and plans to escape with her before they can find him.
Meanwhile, Kirsty becomes increasingly wary of Julia's actions and witnesses her bringing an unfamiliar man home. Driven by curiosity, she stealthily investigates, but in the attic, she inadvertently stumbles upon Julia incapacitating the man for Frank to feast upon. Just as Frank is about to seize Kirsty, she snatches up the puzzle box—a potential weapon—and, understanding its importance to Frank, throws it out the window during her escape.
After an unsettling experience, Kirsty wakes up in the hospital, dismissing the events as a nightmare—until a doctor presents her with the puzzle box. As she toys with it, she accidentally solves it, revealing a portal to a sinister dimension teeming with horrors, and narrowly escapes a monstrous chase. The Cenobites soon find her, leading with their authoritarian figure, Pinhead, who informs her that she has unwittingly summoned them and must now face their world of pleasure and pain. She frantically barters for her freedom, promising to lead them to Frank.
Rushing back to her father's home, Kirsty is informed by Larry that they have taken care of Frank, although his demeanor raises suspicions. As she investigates further, she stumbles upon a horrific sight in the attic—a skinned corpse. Realizing the danger, she rushes to warn Larry. Yet, the truth dawns on her: Frank has murdered her father and now wears his skin like a grotesque disguise to deceive her. Confronted by Frank, who inadvertently fatally injures Julia in a fit of rage, a deadly standoff ensues, ending with Frank's chilling revelation that "your father was dead inside anyway."
At this point, the Cenobites make their final appearance, intent on reclaiming Frank, but he attempts to retaliate against Kirsty for exposing him. However, chains spring forth, restraining him, and in a final, anguished moment, he cries out, "Jesus wept," before being torn apart by the Cenobite's chains. Kirsty flees as the Cenobites, not to be left behind, chase her down, prompting her to retrieve the puzzle box from Julia's corpse and reverse it to send them away.
As Kirsty prepares to flee with her boyfriend Steve, they are attacked again when the box morphs, unveiling the same creature from the hospital. Yet, she manages to banish it once more. In the aftermath, Kirsty attempts to extinguish the cursed puzzle box in a fire; however, a mysterious vagrant emerges from the ashes and takes hold of it. As he is consumed by the flames, he transforms into a skeletal winged demon that vanishes into the night. The chilling tale concludes with the box in the hands of the merchant who originally sold it to Frank, posing the same ominous question, "What's your pleasure, Sir?"
