On April 27, “Evil Dead Rise“, the new offshoot of the cult series, will be released in cinemas. Find out why it’s an absolute must for horror fans here.
The iconic “Evil Dead” series is finally getting its long-awaited sequel. Since the (very successful) remake in 2013, the popular franchise has been quiet. Fans are excited to see what director and screenwriter Lee Cronin would do with Sam Raimi’s legendary horror material.
Skeptics can breathe a sigh of relief: not without reason, the latest entry in the cult series was already euphorically celebrated at its premiere at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in March. And indeed: The result is worth seeing; you can expect bloody horror entertainment at its best. “Evil Dead Rise” is like a wild roller coaster ride, which has finally once again made my heart race and breathless and is thus the best horror film of the year.
The trailer gives you a taste of the unholy goings-on of the “Mother of Evil”:
In preparation for going to the movies, it’s worth revisiting the 1981 original. Or the remake, if its effects are too silly for you, despite decades of indexing: The 2013 remake is top-notch, but it wasn’t immune to a funny movie mistake.
The cast convinces all along the line
In “Evil Dead Rise”, we again get to deal with the ominous Book of the Dead or Naturom Demonto, which turns people into the dreaded “Deadites”, and this time is hidden in a rundown apartment in L.A.. This is where single parent Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) lives with her children Bridget (Gabrielle Echols), Danny (Morgan Davies), and Kassie (Nell Fisher). When Ellie’s estranged sister Beth (Lily Sullivan) visits, Bridget and Danny discover the Necronomicon, and disaster takes its course.
With the cast and character portrayal, “Evil Dead Rise” already does a lot right: The family members and their relationships are nuanced, drawn, and credibly played. So we feel for them when the evening in the apartment building, which was planned as a wonderful family reunion, becomes a nightmare. Alyssa Sutherland goes all out with her demonic performance and makes your blood run cold, but the rest of the cast doesn’t have to hide.
“Mommy’s with the Maggots Now”: That’s why Mama Ellie is so creepy in “Evil Dead Rise”
The character of the mother often plays a central role in the horror genre. Still, usually, she shows up differently: either she is the loving protector of a diabolical child she can’t permanently save (like Rosemary Woodhouse in “Rosemary’s Baby,” Chris MacNeil in “The Exorcist” or Katherine Thorn in “The Omen”) or she is a manipulative psychopath from the start who makes her child’s life hell and thus often contributes to his terrible deeds herself (e.g. Pamela Voorhees in “Friday the 13th”, Norma Bates in “Psycho” or “Bates Motel” or Margaret White in “Carrie”).
The fact that a loving mother becomes a possessed woman herself, on the other hand, happens less often. That alone gives “Evil Dead Rise” a pretty original twist and a very special fright: We know that behind the grimace of evil, there is actually a very loving woman who would never hurt her children under normal circumstances – and then her actions as a “Deadite” seem all the worse.
In the beginning, the “real” Ellie flashes through occasionally, making the scenes even more dramatic. Later, the demon uses precisely that to his advantage by trying to manipulate the children as supposedly still “dear mom”. And the scenes that pervert typical caring activities of parents, such as preparing a meal, spread an extraordinary horror through this association of motherly love with ultimate evil.
“Evil Dead Rise” breathes new life into the undead genre
The change of scenery is welcome compared to the predecessors because the theme “teen gang in a remote cabin in the woods” should have been exhausted by now. With its ramshackle vintage flair, the dilapidated apartment building in the metropolis offers a lot of atmosphere for building suspense.
And this is also used correctly: After the still rather quietly beginning exposition, the whole thing gradually rises to an overwhelming crescendo, during which I clung to my cinema seat like I haven’t in a long time, shaken by adrenaline. The effects are indescribable and highly original but never seem arbitrary because they remain embedded in a continuous arc of tension. Ultimately, “Evil Dead Rise” culminates in a completely bonkers finale that isn’t for the faint of heart – perfect horror.
You can find even more ultra-brutal horror scenes in our picture gallery. But beware: Some are probably too much for even die-hard horror fans to bear.
Huge horror fun despite small weaknesses
Sure, we can’t avoid a few plot holes and typical annoying horror movie clichés. Above all, as often, the question remains: why can’t the characters leave extremely dubious books scribbled with sinister characters and gruesome illustrations alone? On the other hand, I’m only too happy to pay if this is the price for the highly high scary and fun factor that “Evil Dead Rise” offers.
Also, More Evil Dead horror is coming, according to Bruce Campbell, Says Sam Raimi Is Working On An Evil Dead ‘Bible,’ With New Movies Every Two To Three Years.
