Evil Dead Rise: 2023 Horror Film
In a cinematic world dominated by superheroes and sequels, the Evil Dead franchise rises from the grave once again. Evil Dead Rise, the 2023 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Lee Cronin, is a stand-alone entry and the fifth installment in the iconic Evil Dead film series. One should remember all the best things about this movie such as its chilling plot, the remarkable practical effects, and the dedicated cast.
A Twisted Path :
The road to Evil Dead Rise was far from straightforward. Following the remake of Evil Dead in 2013 and the termination of the ‘Ash vs Evil Dead TV series in 2018, the franchise’s followers were left guessing. However, Sam Raimi who is the originator of Evil Dead revealed a new movie production in October 2019. With Rob Tapert producing and Raimi and Bruce Campbell executive producing, the stage was set for a thrilling return to the Deadite-infested world. New Line Cinema, the distributor of the first Evil Dead film, joined the production team.
Blood, Sweat, and Practical Effects :
Principal photography for Evil Dead Rise took place in New Zealand from June to October 2021. The film’s excellent use of practical effects is one of its most notable traits. It is easy to see how the movie focused on making sickening and frightening scenes because they used about 6,500 liters of artificial blood. The film had an unforgettable visual experience due to this crimson concoction made from food-based dyes, high fructose corn syrup, and water. Evil Dead Rise deviated from current horror films by employing real effects rather than CGI, thus enhancing the movie’s reality and fearfulness.
The film's interior settings, including the ominous apartment building and a foreboding underground bank vault, were meticulously constructed sets in a rented warehouse space in Mount Wellington. By adopting such an approach, the production team had total control of the surrounding setting, thus contributing significantly towards the immersion effect within the movie.
Unleashing the Deadites: Plot and Characters
Evil Dead Rise introduces us to cousins Teresa and Jessica, and Jessica's boyfriend Caleb, who are on vacation at a lakeside cabin. What seems like a peaceful getaway takes a gruesome turn when Jessica scalps Teresa and decapitates Caleb before levitating above the lake, setting the stage for supernatural horrors to come.
The narrative then shifts to Beth, a guitar technician who discovers she is pregnant. Seeking solace and support, she visits her sister Ellie, a tattoo artist and single mother to teenagers Danny and Bridget, and a young child named Kassie. These events take place in the slums of the city of Los Angeles within the Monde Apartments which have been condemned. An earthquake uncovers a concealed chamber in the building's basement parking lot, revealing a sinister book and phonograph records from 1923.
Demonic entities known as Deadites take hold of the neighbors and a fight to survive ensues. The staircase collapses, the elevator is damaged, and they are trapped in the building with the possessed neighbors. The closer the supernatural forces get, the more bloodshed and terror-filled engagements.
Beth and Ellie's nephew, Danny, confesses to Beth that he found the Naturom Demonto, a sinister book tied to the demonic incantations. Ellie is tricked into attacking her own daughter, Kassie. As the horrors escalate, even family members become possessed. The film then leads audiences down a frightening path where they encounter demon-possessed family members that Beth and the remaining kids must overcome and defeat the Deadites.
After a while, Beth comes across an old phonograph record that gives instructions on how to get rid of the Deadites. However, the situation becomes dire as more family members are possessed, and the supernatural entities become increasingly formidable. The movie reaches its worst stage when there is a multilimbed monstrosity named the Marauder. Beth and Kassie have a chilling stand-off that exposes them to horror beyond comprehension to save themselves.
The Stellar Cast :
Evil Dead Rise boasts a talented cast that brings the horror to life. Beth is played by Lily Sullivan while Ellie is portrayed by Alyssa Sutherland. Other cast members featured are Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, and Nell Fisher, who gives a standout performance for her first film experience. Bruce Campbell, an iconic figure in the Evil Dead franchise, makes an uncredited voice-only cameo, lending his unmistakable voice to a time-displaced character, Ash Williams, as a nod to the original series.
Unleashing the Evil in Theaters:
SXSW launched Evil Dead Rise a couple of weeks ago, while Warner Bros. Pictures released it in the U.S. a couple of days from now. ( The movie garnered universal praise from almost everyone, including critics as well as members of the public, amounting to approximately 6 million in revenue across different countries. It was the biggest grossing film ever produced, costing approximately -million.
Rotten Tomatoes points out an amazing 84 percent approval rating amongst the critics, which shows that it could satisfy old fans as well as new ones who are in love with this genre. This film brings back the fire of the Evil Dead Rises franchise.
A Promising Future for Evil Dead :
The creative minds behind Evil Dead Rise have expressed their eagerness to continue the franchise with future films. If the success of Evil Dead Rise permits, fans can expect new installments every two or three years. The Evil Dead universe is growing with fans eagerly looking forward to more frightening things.
Therefore, Evil Dead Rise shows how the legacy of Evil Dead still continues. Practical effects, spine-tingling plot, and commitment of all involved (cast, crew) have made it an enduring horror favorite movie. This is a film with a heart-stopping thrill which will be a lifetime experience for true fans of this series and those new to the evil land including you. Get ready for a gore-filled trip through the Evil Dead universe you horror lovers!
Is Evil Dead Rise a direct sequel to the previous Evil Dead films?
No, Evil Dead Rise is a standalone entry in the Evil Dead series and not a direct sequel to the previous films.
Where was Evil Dead Rise filmed?
The Principal photography for the film took place in New Zealand.
What is the significance of the Naturom Demonto in the film?
The “Naturom Demonto”, a creepy book used together with phonograph records unleashes the Deadites, the supernatural forces behind the film’s horrors.
Will there be more Evil Dead films in the future?
There are plans to continue the Evil Dead franchise with future films every two or three years, provided the success of Evil Dead Rise allows for it.
How were the film's practical effects achieved, especially with the use of fake blood?
The film used over 6,500 liters of fake blood, which was a mixture of food-based dyes, high fructose corn syrup, and water. Rather than rendering special effects through computer graphic imagery, special effects teams produced scary settings that were real.
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