The Dead Never Needed the Woods

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MOVIE REVIEW
Evil Dead Rise [Limited Edition]
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2023, Arrow Video 4K 2026
Runtime: 1h 36m
Director(s): Lee Cronin
Writer(s): Lee Cronin
Cast: Alyssa Sutherland, Lily Sullivan, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, Nell Fisher, Mirabai Pease, Anna-Maree Thomas
Where to Watch: available January 13, 2026, pre-order your copy here: www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: EVIL DEAD RISE doesn’t try to convince you it belongs in the franchise; it simply is, and then it dares the audience to keep up. From the moment it trades the isolation of the woods for the suffocating vertical layers of a decaying apartment building, the film suggests that this chapter isn’t interested in repeating the past. Instead, it asks what EVIL DEAD looks like when the horror is no longer in a remote cabin, when escape routes are limited, and when the threat isn’t just supernatural but painfully close to home.

What separates EVIL DEAD RISE from feeling like a mere continuation is its fixation on family dynamics as both the emotional center and narrative core. The film understands that possession horror only works when the audience has something to lose, and it builds that tension through fractured relationships rather than elaborate mythology. The estranged sisters at the center of the story aren’t just devices to move the narrative along; they’re emotional pressure points. Their unresolved history becomes the place for the Deadites to exploit, making the horror feel invasive in an unsettlingly personal way.

Lee Cronin’s writing and direction show an understanding of spatial dread. The apartment building isn’t just a setting; it’s a trap. Hallways feel narrower as the film progresses, stairwells become gauntlets, and spaces lose any sense of safety. By confining the chaos to a structure like this, the film creates a sense of escalation that feels organic rather than episodic. Each floor has its own consequences, and each encounter pushes the characters further into survival mode. The setting amplifies the horror without relying on spectacle alone, which keeps the tension sustained even when the film indulges in excess.

That excess, of course, is very much part of the appeal. EVIL DEAD RISE embraces the franchise’s reputation for brutality but does so with an almost methodical confidence. The violence isn’t random; it’s paced and executed with intention. Practical effects dominate, giving the film a tactile ugliness that digital blood could never replicate. There’s a grim satisfaction in how the film commits to physicality, allowing the audience to feel every impact, every rupture, every moment of grotesque transformation. You’ll never look at a cheese grater the same way again!

Alyssa Sutherland’s performance stands as the film’s strongest. Her portrayal of Ellie doesn’t rely solely on shock value; it weaponizes familiarity. She understands that the most disturbing thing about possession isn’t the monster itself but the recognition of someone you love wearing it. Her physical control, vocal shifts, and unflinching presence give the Deadite a personality that’s cruel, mocking, and disturbingly playful.

Lily Sullivan provides a strong counterbalance, grounding the film in desperation rather than swagger. Her character isn’t heroic in a traditional sense; she’s reactive, overwhelmed, and forced into competence rather than embracing it. That reluctance makes her survival feel earned instead of inevitable. The younger cast members are used effectively as emotional balances rather than gimmicks, which is no small feat in a franchise historically allergic to vulnerability. Their presence raises the tension without softening the film’s resolve.

EVIL DEAD RISE doesn’t pretend to be unpredictable, and it doesn’t need to. Its strength lies in execution rather than surprise. The story moves with purpose, never lingering too long on exposition or lore. While some character arcs could have benefited from additional depth, the film prioritizes momentum. It understands that EVIL DEAD works best when it feels relentless, when the audience doesn’t get the luxury of distance.

What’s especially impressive is how the film honors the franchise without being beholden to it. References exist, but they’re never overwhelming. Cronin treats the legacy as a foundation rather than a checklist, allowing EVIL DEAD RISE to feel connected without being derivative. It’s a smart vision that keeps longtime fans engaged while remaining accessible to newcomers who might not carry decades of baggage into the experience. Also, the vinyl aspect was a brilliant way to connect the films.

In the broader context of modern horror revivals, EVIL DEAD RISE stands out for understanding what made its source material endure. It doesn’t chase nostalgia; it weaponizes evolution. The urban setting, the emphasis on family trauma, and the commitment to practical horror all contribute to a film that feels both familiar and new.

At the end of the day, EVIL DEAD RISE succeeds because it knows exactly what kind of movie it wants to be and executes that vision without apology. It’s brutal, confident, and occasionally unhinged in ways that feel earned rather than performative. This is EVIL DEAD, which understands that growth doesn’t mean restraint. It means finding new ways to make the audience uncomfortable, and EVIL DEAD RISE does that with bloody conviction.

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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