Evil Dead Rise, 2023.
Directed by Lee Cronin.
Starring Alyssa Sutherland, Lily Sullivan, Nell Fisher, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, Jayden Daniels, and Mark Mitchinson.
SYNOPSIS:
A reunion between two estranged sisters is cut tragically short when they are struck by an earthquake. But that’s just the beginning of their horrific nightmare…
As relentless and undying as the Deadites themselves, the Evil Dead franchise is another iconic horror franchise that stubbornly refuses to lose its relevance in the context of modern-day pop culture. With multiple sequels, a remake and a TV show expanding the mythos established forty years prior in Sam Raimi’s beloved cult classic, it’s safe to say that neither the Kandarian demon nor its flesh-possessing minions are going away any time soon. But how does this latest gory addition stack up with the rest of ‘em? Let’s take a bite and find out.
Beth (Lily Sullivan), is a down-on-her-luck guitar technician whose luck spirals down further when she finds out that she’s pregnant. All out of options, Beth decides to pay a visit to her estranged sister Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland), a single mother cum tattoo artist saddled with three kids living in a condemned LA high rise. The area is suddenly shaken up by an unexpected earthquake, which rips through the basement parking lot, revealing a concealed chamber.
The more inquisitive of Ellie’s brood Danny (Morgan Davies), decides to investigate it – discovering numerous religious artifacts, a couple of phonograph records and a strange leather-bound book. Thinking that these objects may possess some antique value Danny takes them with him. After reaching his room he plays the records and reads from the mysterious book amidst protests from his sister Bridget (Gabrielle Nichols), but it is too late, as their worst nightmare has already been unleashed. As Ellie gets possessed and all proverbial hell breaks loose, Beth and the others must do whatever it takes to survive the night.
In a lot of ways Evil Dead Rise functions as an admirable companion piece to 2013’s Evil Dead. The action set pieces are gnarly and blood-soaked as ever, character dynamics in both stories bear many similarities and a perpetual sense of overwhelming dread permeates both efforts from start to finish. Where Evil Dead Rise deviates from Fede Alvarez’s gore-filled outing is with its brisk pacing and tension building.
Irish filmmaker Lee Cronin, who delivered the excellent yet criminally underrated The Hole in the Ground, confidently steers ship to craft a fantastic and memorable addition to the Evil Dead franchise. The nightmarish sequences of body horror and grisly violence would certainly put a smile on Cronenberg and Raimi’s face respectively. The preambles that precede each action set piece are smothered with tension and suspense, making for some genuinely pulse pounding moments.
The script penned by Cronin also deserves a mention here, as the talented writer/director has created a frenetically paced, diabolically creative horror actioner that is certainly worthy of your time. Cronin also manages to balance out the horror heavy aspects by sprinkling some well-placed Raimi-esque dark humor in between, something that was woefully absent in the 2013 remake.
Similar to Alvarez, Cronin’s conscious effort to make us care about the characters in his movie must be applauded. And brilliantly assisting him in this endeavor are the two leads played by Aussie actresses Alyssa Sutherland and Lily Sullivan. Sutherland is simply terrifying as the mother Deadite, slithering and squirming like some wretched worm, while spouting fiery expletives with her every breath. Her transformation from caring single mother to a grotesque flesh-possessing demon is truly disturbing to behold. Props to the special effects team for their contribution here.
The beating heart of this hellish drama, however, is Lily Sullivan’s Beth and her relationship with her niece Kassie played by Nell Fisher. The duo shares excellent chemistry with one another, and share some tender moments which contrasts starkly with the fiendish phantasmagoria. It is a heartwarming bond that gets tested in the worst ways imaginable, and in the end, you will find yourself rooting for both of ‘em to pull through this hapless ordeal. Thoroughly compelling performances by the leads, indeed.
If you ever thought that shifting location from a cabin in the woods to an urban high rise was a mistake, think again. Like Scream VI released earlier this year, Evil Dead Rise utilizes the new setting – from precarious stairwells to ill-lit hallways of the apartment complex – to maximum effect.
DOP Dave Garbett who had previously worked on Ash vs. Evil Dead brings his experience on the TV show to breathe life into Cronin’s twisted vision. Garbett skillfully mimics the kinetic camerawork of Raimi’s original gliding ominously and eerily like some disembodied entity stalking its prey. In other instances, the camera lies absolutely still, lingering on the unbridled carnage and claustrophobic atmosphere of the setting. Composer Stephen McKeon who’d previously collaborated with Cronin on The Hole in the Ground also brings a frighteningly discordant sound with his score which, although different from musician Roque Baños’ more atmospheric approach for 2013’s Evil Dead, works quite well in the context of this film.
Evil Dead Rise is a glorious gorefest that accomplishes the unthinkable – honouring Sam Raimi’s legacy whilst trying to do its own thing, and that itself is worthy of admiration.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Hasitha Fernando is a part-time medical practitioner and full-time cinephile. Follow him on Twitter via @DoctorCinephile for regular updates on the world of entertainment.
