The Evil Dead film series is one series that I have not really paid much attention to. The series started back in 1981 and has spawned its own franchise that has included television shows and video games. Since then the series has explored a lot of different horrors as the centre of their stories are based around the Book of Dead, aka the Necronomicon, and the demonic forces known as Deadites that the book uses to possess people and other things. I cannot judge the latest film Evil Dead Rise, which kinda acts as a reboot and sequel, in an honorary capacity but I can as a standalone film and a standalone story the film possesses not only its characters but the audiences as well as it achieves something that not many other horror films can achieve - it truly makes you wince and squirm in your seat!
Evil Dead Rise starts with a cold opening, the usual horror clichés are rife with a shot of a cabin in the woods with some teenagers isolated and alone and suddenly they face a mysterious and unknown presence. After this unusual but nasty opening, which sees a few deaths even before the film title is revealed, we are taken back to the previous day to a family living in a condemned building complex in Los Angeles. The family includes the mother, Ellie who is played by Alyssa Sunderland, as well as her children Bridget, Kassie and Danny, who is visited by Ellie’s sister Beth, played by Lily Sullivan. The family are not your atypical family as the children are into DJ’ing, headless dolls and other unusual quirks. After we get to know them an earthquake rips the building apart and catalyses the film into a descent into hell as Ellie becomes possessed. The film moves swiftly and with plenty of focus on the characters, you do feel for everyone’s safety as the killings inevitably happen. It is refreshing how and why these killings come about, and how it links to the opening scene with the cabin.
Most films these days have hosted many new technological advances in visual effects, but Evil Dead Rise doesn’t care about these effects. Instead, it goes old school with a lot of prosthetics and practical effects. The blood and the body deformations all look and feel real because it is real, to some extent. The make-up and voice work is chilling and monstrous to the point that you start to feel scared for the safety of the family and the other residents on the screen. Alyssa Sunderland is a fantastic actress and was expertly chosen to play of Ellie as she provides a lot of the horror elements of the film. Talking of horror, this film doesn’t aim to scare you, it aims to terrify you with some visual imagery that will make you wince, squirm and almost want to look away. There’s so much blood, more blood than I have ever seen in a film before, and so many horrific elements in this film that can even give someone like me nightmares. Not a lot of films can achieve that feat.
It’s not just about the horror with Evil Dead Rise, as the storytelling sees a lot of focus as well. The Book of the Dead is a mysterious object that is unearthed, and its story is told via a voice recording of an old vinyl record. Little information and little context of how this book came about give the film the upper hand in keeping a lot of secrets close to its chest. All we know is this book is bad and has been locked away for a reason. The backstory is minimal and therefore makes you want to know more and surprisingly the film doesn’t tease more stories or more information about itself, instead focusing on the story at hand. There is no sequel baiting or franchise foreshadowing here, which is refreshing. From start to finish, Evil Dead Rise is a surprising film that is achieved with such talent through clever filmmaking methods and unique storytelling choices. You never know what will happen next or who will survive the night. The sense of urgency keeps you rooted in your seat and will make you feel disturbed by the overall experience. This is one film horror fans will not want to miss on the big screen!
★★★★★
5/5
Final Verdict:
Evil Dead Rise is a bold film that attempts to find new ways of making us feel uncomfortable while also delivering a chilling story based around a family who unluckily discovers the Book of the Dead. The scares are chilling and the horror elements are both disturbing and stomach-churning enough to make you feel uncomfortable too. Whether you’re a fan of the series or not, this film will make you wish you hadn’t seen it in the best possible way. From blood to possessions, this is one horror film that has everything you need.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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