Horror Corner- Evil Dead Rise Review
Andaluna Malki | April 27, 2023
Hello. Welcome back to the Horror Corner. As you can see, I have expanded quite a bit. Please, feel free to put your feet up on the mahogany footrest before you. There is a rabbit tapestry behind the gilded armchair with velvet upholstery you sit in. He watches vigilantly and cannot tell a trap is waiting in the tree ahead.
To say in utmost extremity, I cannot stop thinking about “Evil Dead Rise”. The story began with 20-year-old Sami Raimi (“Spider-Man” trilogy 2002-2007) leaving Michigan State University three semesters in to go direct “Evil Dead Rise” with long-time-friend Bruce Campbell. The duo would continue slashing their way to cult-classic status as Raimi and Campbell would work in the future installments of the “Evil Dead” universe, including four films and a three-season TV show. The film is a part of the “Evil Dead” franchise.
The “Evil Dead” films surround the flesh-wrapped book (Necronomicon) of being read aloud (because obviously, that is what you do when you find a book made out of your largest organ) and invoking a sinister unseen presence on the reader and those surrounding them, turning them into possessed unyielding beings called “deadites.” Blood, bludgeoning and barf ensue.
The first film, released in 1981, is born into an era of horror ready for something more than the Universal monsters — Frankenstein, Dracula, and Creature from the Black Lagoon. In the years prior, the world was introduced to “The Exorcist” (1973), “Alien” (1979) and “Friday the 13th” 7(1980.) The people were prepared for more ramping up in terms of gore and demise featured in films. And gosh, were they fulfilled with “The Evil Dead.”
Our honored fifth and newest film is directed by Irish film writer and director Lee Cronin. Raimi and Cambell are executive producers. Special effects were led by Tristan Lucas (so that is who you thank for THAT cheese grater scene.) Stephen McKeon did sound design. These guys and the rest of the fantastic crew put their brains in a fleshy, pulsing mess and made a masterpiece.
I was delighted that Cronin debuted by directing one of my favorite hidden gems, “The Hole in the Ground” (2019.) Cronin is on a track covered in glitter and blood in my head. I am ecstatic to see his following projects. I hope he, Raimi and Campbell continue on this genius chemistry they have made.
Cronin is delightful in honoring the franchise and adding nods to Raimi’s style with camera techniques and emotional framing. I felt more attached to this group of the Necronomicon’s victims than any others. Watching them meet their demise was emotionally tensing, yet I knew I would want more.
The path he carved himself is comfortable in the new era of horror we find ourselves in but is still distinguishable from his own. He stayed original in the core, nostalgic and intellectual ways that mattered. Even with a beautiful nod to a horror genre giant, “The Shining” (1980.) I am so excited to watch him explore, hopefully with more horror!
The film’s premise is a Los Angles apartment floor isolated to be threatened by demonic figures. A family of four and the mother’s sister must fend for their lives against the unexplainable. I want to say more, but it is better to go and see it- or at least watch one of the previous “Evil Dead” films to understand the terror the family is sent into. The opening scene, described as a “universe opener,” is one of the most terrifying and genius sequences I have ever watched. Emily Brontë fans will have a hoot.
There are complaints of the movie’s exposition being too dragging and bulky to set up the deviation from the classic “cabin-in-the-woods” route. I beg to differ. I feel a good story needs a good setting, and “Evil Dead Rise” does just that while also clarifying the movie’s directions. Also, once the film does start ramping up the terror — it does not stop. The viewer is left in delicious anticipation of when the going will get bad. Get worse. Get so horribly wrong that there is nothing left right anymore.
The cast is — I do not know where to begin. Australian actress Lily Sullivan plays our heroine, Beth, and is absolutely fantastic at every turn of the film. She is a master at keeping the viewer with her — in and out of blood. Her descent to 100% fight and 0% flight is enchanting as she seamlessly blends her sincerity towards the children and brutality towards the deadites.
Our loving mother, Ellie, is played by Australian actress Alyssa Sutherland. She is terrifying. She is ruthless. She understood what she needed to do and ran with it until her feet were falling apart at the ankle. And then she would throw her disintegrating feet at you. Again. And again.
To me, Sutherland took the cake for the most terrifying deadite of the franchise. She was previously a model and has enthused her newfound role as a horror icon on Twitter (RealAlyssaS.). She and Sullivan’s dynamic was enthralling to watch and heartbreaking to see end.
The horror genre has a gold mine with this cast. I send the most enormous bouquet of appreciation and love to the supporting actors of the children played by debut actress Nell Fisher, Morgan Davies and Gabrielle Echols. They are the center of the viewer’s dread and heartbreak during the deadite’s rampage. They all do a fantastic job of pushing those emotions to new limits.
This is a gory movie. This is a body horror movie. This is a movie you would take your younger siblings to because they begged and begged, and then they sat in complete silence on the ride home. Please see this movie. It was meant to be released on HBO Max, but the theater tests went so well it became a national release. The film has now grossed over 40 million dollars in its first week. Horror fans are ecstatic about such a passionate release ten years after the last installment in 2013. So, with all that being said, go to Mommy.