Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Synopsis:

Evil Dead Rise is the twisted tale of two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.

Directed & Written by: Lee Cronin

Starring:
Alyssa Sutherland
Lily Sullivan
Morgan Davies
Gabrielle Echols
Nell Fisher

My Edition:

Theater

My Thoughts:

Are you a fan of the Evil Dead franchise? I am. A huge fan, actually. All of them. I don’t care. I love Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and Army of Darkness equally despite them each being about as tonally far apart as any movies can be and still get away with calling themselves a franchise. And I thought Fede Álvarez’s 2013 Evil Dead was fantastic. I even loved the television show. Basically, I want all the Evil Dead all the time. And yet, every time a new entry happens, I feel a little concerned. I’m not afraid to admit it. I keep waiting for the one that will ruin the franchise.

Well, keep waitin’ motherfucker (I say to myself). Evil Dead Rise was such a fan-fucking-tastic entry into the world of the Evil Dead.

If you’re looking to have a super fun, super gory time – Evil Dead Rise is perhaps the film to see this year.

There are some really wonderful injuries/kills to be had. If we’re being totally honest, the girls sitting near us at the theater kept looking my way with…concerned looks on their faces. I later realized this was because I was loudly cackling at some of the better moments. That grater bit GOT ME (iykyk). I was gleefully cackling for a good 10 seconds or so. And it’s worth noting that although there was CG enhancements galore, there was also a wealth of what appeared to be top notch practical effects as well. The deadites are fucking super scary too.

I think Evil Dead Rise is perfectly effective. It’s pretty scary, nice and gory, and everybody acted their collective ass off. I love that instead of horny teens (or youngish adults, or full on adults) get got by demonic entities, we get a sweet little family. And they are. They’re thoroughly modern, but not in a “it feels like they’re trying really hard” sort of way. Mom is a tattoo artist, auntie is a guitar tech. Kids are modern-feeling kids. And one of them is pretty damned young, which is added fun. And things DO NOT go well for them. Not for a single fucking person in that beautiful shithole of a crumbling, art deco LA apartment building.

Someone, please, I’m begging you. Give them the magic words…
“Klaatu Barada N… necktie… nectar… nickel… noodle. It’s an “N” word, it’s definitely an “N” word! Klaatu… Barada… N…”

I mean, we all know how Evil Dead movies work by now – even if an ending seems happy, it’s really not. It’s just happy in the current moment. That evil is always lurking. And it always comes back. So if you want a movie with a happy ending…what are you even doing here?

Rating:

Definitely a strong entry into an existing (and unassailable) franchise. I’ll be buying it once it’s released on disc. Hopefully with some fancy-pants packaging and healthy special features.

Evil Dead Rise
Written & Directed by: Lee Cronin
US Release: April 21, 2023
Warner Bros.
Rated R
96 Minutes