Lee Cronin’s Evil Dead Rise is bringing a bloody and thrilling ride to horror fans with his take on the iconic franchise. Cronin, who wrote and directed, certainly has a classic on his hands with this horror title from New Line Cinemas and Renaissance Pictures. 2023’s Evil Dead Rise age rating is “R” and is now officially in theaters.
Evil Dead Rise Plot:
The movie stars Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, and Gabrielle Echols, and introduces Nell Fisher. Moving the action out of the woods and into the city, Evil Dead Rise tells a twisted tale of two estranged sisters, played by Sutherland and Sullivan, whose reunion is 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.
A Relentless and Eerie Soundtrack
Evil Dead Rise is relentless in the ways it pulls you in and refuses to let you go. This is a horror film that finds a way to develop such an incredible sense of unease. The score by Stephen McKeon is superb and it pulls you under into nightmare-fueled chaos for the entirety of the film. Emotions can be easily sidetracked by a film’s soundtrack or even the sound mixing.
McKeon has found some beautiful, upsetting, and heartwrenching ways to pull viewers through the story. It is some fantastic work that blends beautifully with editing and the tension settles deep into your bones. Every sound percolates in your very soul and remains a triumph of the very core of fear.
Book of the Dead-Worthy Editing
McKeon is joined by some talented individuals in Evil Dead Rise such as the editor, Bryan Shaw, who was the editor of 2013’s Evil Dead. Shaw’s ability to use and mold Cronin’s vision combines to make a unique perspective on the Evil Dead franchise. It remains a dark and gore-filled ride, but it adds in more of the humanity and comedy from past iterations. There’s a great balance to be witnessed in this addition to the classic lineup.
Evil Dead Rise Transforms the Typical Story
Evil Dead Rise doesn’t resort to the rape-filled horror fantasies of demonic entities forcing themselves into women (or anyone) in that way. The brutality of the possession is still there, but it doesn’t develop into a method of entirely removing the agency of the person as they struggle against otherworldly forces. There are a lot of apprehensions when it comes to cis-gender men writing about female perspectives and experiences in horror. But Cronin’s writing truly digs into some fantastic allegory on motherhood, bodily autonomy, and intergenerational traumas.
Rise from the dead and shine! You're gonna kill it today. #EvilDeadRise pic.twitter.com/LYVKTvRo4z
— Evil Dead (@EvilDead) April 17, 2023
While the film does tap into those tough subjects, it doesn’t hold back on gore-filled absurdity found in the franchise. The anticipation of the scenes and grotesque displays of carnage was fulfilled by a blood bath of epic proportions. Cronin had previously said in discussions about the film that the blood was a character in itself in Evil Dead Rise. That intention is perfectly executed in every way in scenes involving the flows of deep red visuals.
@warnerbrosmovies If they’re gonna put you through hell, why not drag them down with you? #EvilDeadRise has arrived 😈 Get Tickets Now. Link in bio.
Back to the allegorical connections, the blood relates uniquely to the story being told. Beth’s (Sullivan) perspective is unique and what she holds close to her chest is used against her by the demonic forces. There are such insane and amazing connections to be made in this film to the horrors and triumphs of motherhood, gender, and much more.
Alyssa Sutherland is Horror’s Mother
https://twitter.com/RealAlyssaS/status/1649820050973683713?s=20
The acting in Evil Dead Rise is unreal and proves how much the industry undervalues the brilliance many actors bring to their roles in the horror genre. Sutherland has to be added to a list of first-rate horror acting. Her performance was utterly horrific in the best ways imaginable.
Mommy’s a Deadite Now, Sorry Honey!
The essence of the horror genre and the Evil Dead series of films were flowing through her deadite veins. She embraced the deliciously evil embodiment of her role in every way while maintaining that shred of her character’s former self. The cast connected very well and did so in some obviously difficult scenes to navigate both emotionally and physically. They worked well off of one another throughout the entire film.
EVIL is everywhere. #EvilDeadRise pic.twitter.com/NUQoaXWvzi
— Lee Cronin (@curleecronin) April 21, 2023
Cronin’s vision as writer and director truly comes to “life” in Evil Dead Rise. The respect and reverence for the horror genre invade every aspect of this film. At the same time, the story progresses the genre forward into a new era of horror that never forgets its roots.
It embraces one of the prominent carriers of the genre’s success, the feminine. But it also maintains its ability to transform old perspectives and reveal the absolutely fantastic ways horror can maintain gore and symbolism. This is a title that rightfully belongs in the genre with any and all accolades it receives. Torches need to be handed down the line and this one is brightly lit for all the industry to witness its bloody glory.
