Movie Review: "Evil Dead Rise"

The "Evil Dead" franchise has pulled off something amazing: it hasn't had a bad movie yet. This success is largely thanks to series creator Sam Raimi, who’s very selective about who directs these films. That’s why there have only been five "Evil Dead" movies in over 40 years. The simple, effective premise also helps make these films work.

Plot and Style

The latest installment, "Evil Dead Rise," is directed by Lee Cronin, who also made the creepy "The Hole in the Ground." Cronin’s style is darker and grittier, similar to the 2013 remake director Fede Alvarez, but he shares Raimi’s wild imagination.

Marketing for the movie highlights a gruesome scene involving a cheese grater, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. "Evil Dead Rise" is filled with creative and brutal scenes: eye trauma, hand trauma, vomit, bugs, broken glass, bones, decapitation, dismemberment, stab wounds, shotgun blasts, and sharp objects going through heads. And let's not forget the blood—thousands of gallons of it, reminiscent of the iconic elevator scene from "The Shining."

Setting and Characters

The setting shifts from the traditional cabin in the woods to a run-down apartment building in downtown Los Angeles. Single mom Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) becomes possessed early on, and the horror intensifies as she starts tormenting her own children. Her youngest, Kassie (Nell Fisher), and her teenage siblings, Danny (Morgan Davies) and Bridget (Gabrielle Echols), face terrifying ordeals. The violence towards kids, combined with the extreme gore, makes this a truly grueling "Evil Dead" movie.

Story Setup

The film takes some time to deviate from the classic "cabin in the woods" formula, which requires extra setup and exposition. This is mainly an issue in the first act, where we meet Ellie’s rocker sister Beth (Lily Sullivan) and an earthquake opens a hole in the parking garage. Danny finds an old safety deposit box with mysterious records that unleash the horror. These initial details might feel complicated, but once the movie picks up, it’s non-stop action.

Audience Experience

"Evil Dead Rise" is a loud, thrilling movie perfect for a packed theater. At its premiere at SXSW, the audience was cheering, screaming, and having a blast. Cronin uses jump scares and "look behind you!" moments to keep the audience on edge. One standout scene in the middle of the movie is sure to make viewers yell at the screen in theaters everywhere.

Flaws and Strengths

Not everything works perfectly. A subplot about pregnancy feels out of place, and the random cold open requires an explanation at the end. However, for a cast of mostly unknown actors and a relatively new director, the film achieves a lot. The physical performances, complex special effects, and gory makeup are impressive. Once it gets past the setup, "Evil Dead Rise" delivers exactly what fans want: a thrilling, blood-soaked ride.

Conclusion

"Evil Dead Rise" was reviewed from its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival and is now playing in theaters. If you love the "Evil Dead" series, this movie is a must-watch. It’s scary, fun, and filled with creative horror that will keep you entertained from start to finish.