christophershobris Review of Evil Dead Rise

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Intense Thrill Ride and Blood...Lots and Lots of Blood

[8/10 · 27 April 2023]

After a decade since the previous Evil Dead entry I'm glad to see the next film in this iconic franchise. This film fits among the others like a glove. This sings like an Evil Dead movie, sounds like an Evil Dead movie, and quacks like an Evil Dead movie. This doesn't do anything new or inventive but it does not need to be. What works is the ruthless direction by Lee Cronin, amazing performance from Alyssa Sutherland and Ally Sullivan, gross makeup work, intense moments of terror, excellent lighting, and great cinematography, all this work together to bring me a very good horror flick. The opening title revel is completely badass, and there's also a sense of tragedy involved since this has to do with people who are family members. The opening scene however was completely unnecessary, and added nothing to the overall plot, feeling like a waste of a good 10 minutes where it could have been used more effectively elsewhere. Some of the decisions a few characters make are painstakingly stupid especially one in particular, unfortunately Evil Dead can't avoid this tired cliche. The film was the perfect length never once feeling it dragged on too long, or felt unfulfilled because it being too short. I've never seen so much blood probably since Tarantino's Django Unchained. If you like bloody films, there isn't a more obvious one. I love that this didn't rely on the lazy trope that is jump scares, but used the atmosphere, scenery, and makeup to execute the scares in an effective manner. This is a true horror film for real horror films who are not afraid to get a little bloody and dirty.