Guts, Gore, and Glory: The Unyielding Horror of ‘Evil Dead Rise’

Pinpointing why the original Evil Dead (1981) stands as a horror classic always seemed elusive to me. 

Its plot was straightforward enough: Five Michigan State University students – Ash, his girlfriend Linda, and their friends Cheryl, Scott, and Shelly – venture to a secluded cabin in the woods. 

There, they stumble upon the Necronomicon, an ancient book that, once read aloud, awakens a malevolent force known as the evil dead. 

This seemingly simple tale, however, was woven together with the right amount of pacing and presentation that now it’s considered a horror classic.

One of my favorite scenes in The Evil Dead is the opening sequence of menace and foreboding that lingers long after the credits roll. The camera’s journey, flying over a tranquil landscape of towering trees, painted an eerie picture of an unseen force. 

This sweeping shot, similar to a modern-day drone capture, let us all know about the impending horror that would soon enough befall the five college students.

When news broke of Evil Dead Rise, I knew I’d see it. It came out in theaters in April, but it just became available on Max. While it’s a departure from the original in many respects, it still remains true to its horror roots. 

Just as the original film did over four decades ago, Evil Dead Rise offers its own brand of chilling storytelling that horror enthusiasts may want to see.

Embracing the New, Respecting the Classic

As the latest installment in the Evil Dead film series, this 2023 supernatural horror splatterfest follows the story of sisters Beth and Ellie, according to the trailer.

Ellie is a single mom and tattoo artist raising three kids in a soon-to-be-demolished Los Angeles apartment complex, and Beth arrives to visit the family. 

Ellie’s teenage son Danny stumbles upon relics from 1923, and a peculiar book and record that unleashes the Deadites, demonic spirits that take over people’s bodies. Every one of the Deadites seems to be in perpetual bad moods, hellbent on killing everyone they come in contact with for reasons known only to them. 

So from here, let the blood begin. 

Evil Dead Rise is an unrelenting splatter fest, nearly from start to finish. Its scenes, at times, feature characters quite literally soaked in blood from head to toe where only their eyes poke through. 

This relentless thrill ride barely gives you a moment to catch your breath, so don’t expect deep character development. 

But what the film might lack in character depth, it makes up for with surprising plot twists. 

Just when you think there’s no way for the story to advance, it shocks you with a cleverly conceived pivot. 

In particular, I liked the opening scenes, which set a horrifying tone, with a classic cabin in the woods trope and morally ambiguous characters. The gore fest in these scenes set the stage for the rollercoaster of horror that follows.

Now, let’s talk about the Deadites. If you liked the franchise, which spans five films, including Evil Dead Rise, you will be thrilled to know that these demonic entities are back in full force and they are just as pissed off as ever. 

The makeup and special effects teams didn’t disappoint as they created some truly nightmarish visuals that creeped me out.

In this film, blood is a main character. Whether it’s spurting, spraying, or just ominously pooling, the copious amounts of blood featured in this film are a testament to the lengths Evil Dead Rise is willing to go to satiate its fans’ lust for horror.

Despite its breakneck pacing and frenzied horror, Evil Dead Rise weaves in some unexpected moments. 

Just when you think you’ve figured out where it’s going, it veers off in a surprising direction, ensuring that your attention never wavers.

Final Thoughts

What makes the beginning of Evil Dead Rise particularly impactful is its homage to the series’ roots with the opening scenes paying tribute to the iconic ‘cabin in the woods’ setting. 

In essence, Evil Dead Rise is a film designed for the horror aficionado who appreciates a blood-fest galore. 

If you like blood, guts, and gore, this film is for you. 

This latest addition to the Evil Dead series leaves nothing on the table.

So, buckle up, and prepare yourself for a wild ride that will rattle you to the bone.