Evil Dead Rise

Evil Dead Rise
Directed by: Lee Cronin
Year: USA 2023

PLOT

Beth decides to visit her sister Ellie after discovering she is pregnant. Ellie lives in a rundown apartment building with her three children. They go out to get pizzas for dinner, but while they are out, a violent earthquake shakes the neighborhood. This quake opens up a huge hole in the garage floor, where Danny finds a safe containing mysterious records and a package with an ancient book, which seems to be none other than the Necronomicon. After bringing the items to his room, Danny unknowingly unleashes the fury of a demon that takes possession of his mother, Ellie.

CONSIDERATIONS

The Evil Dead universe expands with this new chapter by Lee Cronin (director of Hole in the Ground), which, as seen from the first images and confirmed by the trailer, stylistically follows the path of the previous Alvarez remake, Evil Dead from 2013.
This film is neither a remake nor a spin-off; it can safely be categorized as a standalone episode within the franchise. New characters, a new urban setting, and a somewhat “innovative” development set it apart. Of course, all the essential elements are there: the Necronomicon, ritual phrases capable of awakening evil entities, and possessed bodies that transfigure and torment anyone who crosses their path, all with an abundance of splatter and gore.

Although these few lines might summarize The House – The Awakening of Evil, further reflection on this new episode is warranted. It can be positioned as an ideal sequel to Alvarez’s film. The two films have many similarities and pay heavy tribute to Raimi’s original, both in philosophy and homage.
However, this is still a solid film, well-shot with excellent special effects and a fast-paced rhythm that never lets up.

After the necessary introduction, which includes the classic cabin-in-the-woods setup, Evil Dead Rise moves to the city and presents the protagonists of this story: a family consisting of a mother, three children, and an aunt. Cronin wastes no time in explaining who they are or analyzing their psychological profiles, which doesn’t really interest him, nor us. We already know what’s going to happen to them and just want to see how it plays out. Twenty minutes of prelude, an earthquake, and our cursed book and records appear. From this point, the film takes off, with tight pacing and continuous carnage. Alyssa Sutherland steals the show with her demonic presence, the kids perform well, and Lily Sullivan is convincing as the final girl.

What stands out most is the film’s sheer horror: apart from a couple of quick, painless moments, there is no humor. It may even be more violent and disgusting than Alvarez’s version. Memorable scenes abound, including the elevator cables coming to life, the boiling tub scene, the copious vomiting, the peephole shots, the blood-filled elevator, and the final showdown. Everything holds up well, delivering a film that will surely please fans of the franchise, positioning itself as one of the most compelling horror titles of 2023.

Be careful though, it’s not without its flaws. The relationship between the sisters is merely hinted at, and why the Necronomicon and records ended up in that place remains a mystery. Additionally, the intro and conclusion are clearly just there to set up a sequel, completely disconnected from the main plot.
It’s worth noting that we intentionally refrain from comparing it to Raimi’s masterpiece, as doing so would only amplify this film’s flaws, leading to a much harsher critique. Still, it’s a modern product that offers plenty of entertainment thanks to the elements that made the Ash vs. Evil Dead trilogy famous, which are present and even paid homage to in several moments.

In conclusion, this is a tightly-paced modern horror film that spares no gruesome detail, with good photography and effects, but it suffers from a lack of depth and relies heavily on blood, flesh, and scares. Hardcore fans of the franchise will surely enjoy it—I’m one of them.
Have fun spotting the many homages to horror classics scattered throughout.

PANDEMONIUM MOMENT

Beth and little Kassie try to escape in the elevator when the corpses strewn across the corridor begin to animate, possessed. The elevator fills with blood until the doors burst open, expelling the two women in a wave of blood.