A reunion between two estranged sisters gets cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.
Director: Lee Cronin
Cast: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, Nell Fisher
Release Date: April 14, 2023
Genre: Horror
Rated R for strong bloody horror violence and gore, and some language
Runtime: 1h 36m
Review:
Ten years after the last remake, Evil Dead Rises manages to deliver the kind of experience that is sure to please long time fans of the series. Lee Cronin's film walks the tightrope between gruesome, splatter horror and dark humor something that Fede Alvarez's overly serious 2013 entry lacked. Cronin delivers a series of well staged and appropriately gory sequences that deliver some genuine tension and scares. It’s an energetic film that doesn't let up once the claustrophobic horror show starts. It shouldn't come as a surprise that this film isn't for the squeamish since there are buckets of blood and viscera thrown at the screen with a gleeful sort of confidence that fits right in with the series. The film's cast does solid work throughout as they manage to make you care about the characters in a short amount of time. Lily Sullivan proves to be a capable lead as she battles with her sister possessed demon played with impressive gusto by Alyssa Sutherland. Sutherland has an otherworldly look to her which works well for the role especially once the gnarly make up FXs is added once the demon takes full hold. Gabrielle Echols, Morgan Davies and Nell Fisher do solid work in supporting roles as the kids with the youngest, Fisher, leaving a noticeable mark. The director and cast are in tune with each as the film builds to its splatterfest of a finale which is peppered with Easter Eggs for fans of the original films. Evil Dead Rises expands the mythology, it notes there are three different Necronomicons, enough to open it up for future entries while delivering a bloody and darkly humorous film that's sure to please.
B+
