Time: 97 Minutes
Age Rating: R16 – Graphic violence & horror
Cast:
Lily Sullivan as Beth
Alyssa Sutherland as Ellie
Morgan Davies as Danny
Gabrielle Echols as Bridget
Nell Fisher as Kassie
Director: Lee Cronin

As far as consistency in quality across all of their installments goes, Evil Dead may well be the best horror franchise. You’ve got the Sam Raimi movies which ranged from gruesome camp to slapstick goofiness cheese, you’ve got the remake from 2013 which leans into the utter brutality and griminess, and you got Ash vs Evil Dead which is a fun tv series sequel to that original trilogy. So, its easy to see why I was looking forward to Evil Dead Rise, and it didn’t disappoint.

3 of the prior 4 Evil Dead movies take place in a cabin in the woods, with Army of Darkness being in a more medieval fantasy setting. Evil Dead Rise made a smart decision and sets the movie somewhere else, an apartment complex. It does mean that the setup for the book of the dead causing chaos is a little contrived (at least compared it being in a cabin in the woods), but I went along with it. As the movie started, I was a little unsure about the movie. However, once the demon possession in the main plot begins, that’s when it takes off. Despite being a more familiar setting, the high rise apartment building still feels as dark and claustrophobic as the cabins in the woods. Over the course of the movie, it gradually increases the level of terror and absurdity. Tonally, it’s at the halfway point between Sam Raimi’s slapstick and cheesy original trilogy (specifically 2), and Fede Alvarez’s more brutal remake. Rise brings the nastiness, gnarly and grimy mean spirit that you would expect from an Evil Dead movie. Plenty of grizzly and gruesome things happen, and unlike most horror movies, not even the child characters are safe. At the same time there is some dark humour here, especially with how absurd the film can get at times. The story of Evil Dead Rise is standalone from the rest of the series, but is still respectful of the original. There are some callbacks to the previous movies, especially with some of the dialogue, but it doesn’t rely on them too much. Aside from a relatively slow start in the first act, it is paced well across its 100 minute runtime. My biggest issue with the movie is the first and last scenes of the movie. Mild spoilers ahead just because it’s the opening, but I’m assuming the inclusion of its beginning scene is that they felt obligated to have at least one scene set in the woods. I’m not really sure about the necessity of that scene beyond some creative kills and a great title drop. Additionally, the last scene is kind of limp compared to the scene beforehand.

The actors also bring it to their roles. Lily Sullivan made for a great lead, and Alyssa Sutherland was fantastic as the main demonic force, in a similar role that Jane Levy had for much of Evil Dead (2013). Much of Sutherland’s screentime is playing a deadite doing a lot of horrific things, and she brought such insane energy to it. The children played by Gabrielle Echols, Morgan Davies and Nell Fisher are also amazing. The family dynamic isn’t as fleshed out as I would’ve liked, but its believable enough and the characters are likable.

Lee Cronin did a great job directing this, with some amazing choices that added so much to the film. He even directs in a way that you’d expect Sam Raimi to direct, especially with the camera movements. There’s a lot of memorable imagery, and it does well at making you feel claustrophobic and confined. There are some fantastic and creative set pieces, with so much carnage on display and plenty of gnarly and bloody sequences. The scenes are well lit, and the sound design is top notch. Rise also utilizes great effects, both practical and CGI, and they are put to good use here especially when it comes to the mutilation and damage to human bodies (as expected with this being an Evil Dead movie).

Evil Dead Rise is satisfyingly gnarly, gruesome, tense and entertaining, with great effects, stellar direction, and amazing performances. It’s another strong and refreshingly different entry in the franchise, and I hope we don’t have to wait another 10 years for the next film. Not everyone will be into the movie, but if you liked any of the previous Evil Dead entries, I highly recommend the latest instalment as well.