this first look Evil Dead Rise It comes from the film’s debut at the 2023 SXSW Conference. More detailed coverage is expected as the film’s release date approaches.
Evil Dead Rise is a movie made by sickos for sickos. This is a great update to the iconic franchise, retaining the manic glee of her 1980s Evil Dead movie of Sam Raimi’s original, while still bringing Fede her revulsion and upsetting from her 2013 remake of Alvarez. Brings With a refreshing change in scenery and cast, plus a breakout performance by Alyssa Sutherland, writer-director Lee Cronin proves there’s still plenty of life and battle in this undead franchise of his. .
As for the sheer fear factor, your mileage is Evil Dead RiseThis spinoff falls somewhere between Alvarez’s remake and Raimi’s comedy-focused work Guilt of the Dead 2The killing is so brutal and dangerous, and the emphasis on putting children in danger gives the action a new edge, and the tone is generally dark and gory.
Yet, it still finds its lighthearted moments.Far from comedy, but full of laughter Evil Dead Rise —like the gag about eyeballs being torn off and landing in someone’s mouth. Cronin has a firm handle between scary and funny, serving both without compromising either. . This is a movie best seen by a large horror-loving audience that takes gruesome horror with silly jokes and screams and cheers with the action.
Photo: Warner Bros.
A big part of why this film’s simpler, terrifying take works is the change in formula. Instead of centering its victims in a cabin in the woods, it travels to a big city and follows a tormented family there. Dead Dight, the signature antagonist of the Evil Dead film. There are no undead armies here. Like the 1981 original, the film only deals with his one dead-dite, playing more of a haunting story than what modern moviegoers expect from a “zombie movie.”
The role of the villain fell to Alyssa Sutherland, and Ellie, a mother of three children, is a demonic possessor after one of her own children, or, as she puts it, her “boob-sucking parasite.” We have reached the receiving side. Book of the DeadIn no time, she turns on her children and uses every tool in the house to gruesomely try to kill them in the worst possible way.
At the other end is Ellie’s sister, Beth (Lily Sullivan). Upon reaching her apartment, she is forced to fight her own sister as her entire family turns against each other. Sullivan is great, and Cronin gives her depth through hints of past trauma, making the character more well-rounded without detracting from the ludicrous fun of an Evil Dead movie. Don’t expect an A24 horror film that explores grief — but the family aspect creates a dynamic with heavier emotions that binds the viewer to the characters, but still prioritizes gross-out horror.
Once Ellie is possessed, the film gets a second wind and completely derails in the best possible way. Ellie is quick to attack, threaten, frighten, and hunt her family, as well as insult them. At the same time, she still loves children, even Deadite Ellie, and she begs well to stop.
![Newly possessed Deadite Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) hisses from her dark mouth as she clings to the walls of her dark apartment in Evil Dead Rise.](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uCyYbno4uKirdip5-DpBr_V8HxA=/0x0:4096x2100/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:4096x2100):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24513199/rev_1_EDR_DOM_TRL_89641r_High_Res_JPEG.jpeg)
Photo: Warner Bros.
Cronin takes full advantage of your location. Everyday objects take on new and more sinister vibes as they progress towards the characters. I clearly love the practical effects I see in the vast amounts of tactile and physical blood on screen. He also loves the Evil Dead movies. Cronin stuffs the script and screen with as many visual references and homages to the original Sam his Raimi films as possible, overloading the film with fans at his service, from iconic weapons to dialogue lines. shot selection.
Evil Dead Rise A worthy addition to the Evil Dead franchise. In the 97th minute, light action mixed in, and it feels like it’s over as soon as it starts. It’s the perfect onboarding movie for new viewers who haven’t seen the Evil Dead movies, but for longtime fans, it’s a breath of fresh air in the classic horror-comedy franchise and Raimi’s old-school stunt. It combines an approach with a new school of terrifying horror.
Evil Dead Rise Theatrical release on April 21.