Unearthly Horror Meets Urban Setting

Read Time:4 Minute, 1 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Evil Dead Rise
–

Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 36m
Director(s): Lee Cronin
Writer(s): Lee Cronin
Cast: Mirabai Pease, Richard Crouchley, Anna-Maree Thomas, Lily Sullivan, Noah Paul, Alyssa Sutherland, Gabrielle Echols, Morgan Davies, Nell Fisher, Billy Reynolds-McCarthy, Tai Wano, Jayden Daniels, Mark Mitchinson, Melissa Xiao, Bruce Campbell
Where To Watch: 4K UHD Combo Pack (www.amazon.com), Blu-ray Combo Pack (www.amazon.com), and DVD (www.amazon.com) arrive on June 27, 2023

RAVING REVIEW: Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions (yes, feelings in a horror movie) and some fantastic scares as EVIL DEAD RISE brings us a new entry into the saga of paranormal pandemonium! Beth, visiting Los Angeles, finds herself in the middle of an otherworldly experience that engulfs her and traps her entire family. The peaceful life of her sister's family is fractured by the husband's desertion, leaving them teetering on the precipice of poverty and the imminent demolition of their home. These domestic issues are amplified when an earthquake uncovers a crypt beneath their parking garage. In it, Danny, Beth’s nephew, discovers a book and several bizarre records, and soon, they are embroiled in an apocalyptic battle for survival against demonic entities summoned from one of the Necronomicon’s (Book of the Dead.)

Ten years have passed since Fede Alvarez delivered his remake (which was recently confirmed not to have been a remake but an alternate universe retelling) of THE EVIL DEAD, Sam Raimi's legendary horror film, rebranded as EVIL DEAD. I was taken aback by the adept execution of the chill-inducing horror, which pays homage to the classic without upstaging it. So, I wasn’t very excited when I discovered that the new film would ignore that version. I was wrong not to trust this one because this is easily one of my favorites in the franchise now.

Alyssa Sutherland plays Ellie, a woman wrestling with personal demons, which is taken aback when her sister Beth, played by Lily Sullivan, turns up unanticipated. Their family unit, including Bridget (Gabrielle Echols), Danny (Morgan Davies), and Kassie (Nell Fisher), face a bleak future with the threat of homelessness hanging over their heads.

EVIL DEAD RISE, technically the fifth installment in the global horror series (plus a TV show,) marks a shift in scenery from the stereotypical haunted woods to a decrepit high-rise in downtown Los Angeles. Original creators Robert Tapert, Sam Raimi, and Bruce Campbell have lent their expertise to this newest adaptation, with the reins of directing and scripting held by Irish filmmaker Lee Cronin. Although his debut work, EVIL DEAD RISE, marks a significant step forward in his filmography. I would like to know if the next installment will be handled by him as well since this received such high praise.

EVIL DEAD RISE cleverly plays with the gloomy undertones from Raimi's groundbreaking THE EVIL DEAD (1981) with several homages throughout, including Bruce Campbell in a shocking role. The stark, blood-curdling horror that has become the franchise's trademark is at the forefront of this film. Although I liked the gore, it was sometimes a little over the top. The opening scene mirrors the original, featuring three individuals seeking seclusion in a distant cabin for the weekend, which acts as a prelude to the fright-fest that is about to ensue.

Cronin ingeniously substitutes the rural backdrop of previous films with an urban setting in EVIL DEAD RISE. The solitary high-rise lends itself to a perfect stage for his adept manipulation of light and sound, instilling a spine-chilling atmosphere. While retaining the dark humor synonymous with the series, the film does not shy away from delving deep into the realms of horror, gore, and overwhelming gloom. I was suspicious about how the franchise would succeed in a crowded apartment building, but that was handled so well that I didn’t think about it until now.

EVIL DEAD RISE treads on unexplored paths, adding children to its cast, who confront the unearthly horror with the adults. In keeping with the horror genre, EVIL DEAD RISE serves up a cinema experience that is both harrowing and full of unexpected jolts. Honestly, this one will stick with you; I’ve been thinking about it since seeing it in theaters and am thrilled to experience it at home now.

For more reviews, please visit – https://linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews for more info.

Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of WARNER BROTHERS]