I was still horrified after I watched one of the best horror movies I’ve seen this year. The very first time I saw the trailer for Evil Dead Rise, I was astounded by how classical and gory it was. Thus, it was blended with a parent-children touch of storytelling. Basically, I couldn’t wait to watch the film and waited for it to be released. The time I got the movie link, I didn’t hesitate to download it and watch it later that night even though I was all alone with half the volume in my earphones plugged into my ears.
About the film
A twisted tale of two estranged sisters 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. -IMDb
The movie was officially released on April 21, 2023, in theaters and it was directed and written by Lee Cronin. Lee Cronin was known for horror-genre film movies and series. So, it was not surprising that he was chosen to direct one of the greatest horror films franchise, Evil Dead. It starred Alyssa Sutherland and Lilly Sullivan.
Analysis
I have watched multiple horror films this week and I believe this movie, Evil Dead Rise is surely what I will recommend. The power to elaborate on the focal points of parenthood, self-denial, and unpredictable turn of events made me hooked even more. Let us start with how the movie opened, showing how the Kandarian Demon turned the girl in the cabin into a Deadite. It was satisfying how the intro of the movie was made, especially when the movie title appeared while the girl was levitating in the water.
The movie essentially showed why some women are afraid to become a mother because they do not know how to raise a child like Beth’s situation. She was terrified when she found out that she was pregnant and she went to her sister, El. She didn’t expect the gruesome situation she went in and her life was put in danger. When Danny discovered the Book of the Dead after the earthquake, it made a huge turn to flip their situation upside down.
The time possessed El found out that Beth was pregnant, she literally wanted to take the baby first and get its soul. It was a moment of revelation that Beth wanted the baby to survive and a kind of sign she would raise her baby right. Thus, I was sad that only Kassie survived in the siblings because the two died in the house.
Creative Elements
I couldn’t believe how good the cinematography was and it was edited really well. One thing I loved in the movie was the makeup of the artists. They were clean, terrifyingly good, and the details were perfectly done. In the elevator scene of El when she was about to be possessed by the demon, I got goosebumps because her acting skills were top-notched. El’s possessed face state was naturally scary. The makeup’s enhancement made it creepier even more.
The story of the movie was quite different from the other Evil Dead’s late movies. I loved the fact that this particular movie tackled parenthood and sibling relationships. I do not understand why through a lick of a Deadite, Bridget turned into one as well. She received a wound on her cheek and after a while, she turned into a Deadite in a different way. Instead of puking nasty water-like liquid, she vomited black ink-like liquid with alive insects mixed in it.
When El absorbed the other Deadites to transform into a terrifying creature. Instead, to feel scared, I was amazed at how they did it. But I cannot deny that I was scared in some parts whenever it crawled and the camera focus on its body and face. The underground car park was truly the most intense and scariest part for me because of its heart-stopping scenes. The chainsaw and grinder scene made it clear that this movie deserved to be called Evil Dead.
Recommendation
Surely, I would give this movie a rating of 9/10 because I enjoyed it so much. I’m satisfied with how the storyline from the beginning up to the end. I bet there’s a second part of this movie that I am looking forward to. I wonder what will happen next to Kassie, Beth, and Beth’s unborn baby. It was a huge trauma for a kid like her that happened in her family. The cliffhanger at the end part of the movie was not something I liked about though.
Overall, this movie was absolutely amazing and worth watching. How I wish that the movie would have longer terrifying scenes because I noticed that there were scenes that were hanging and might be more suspenseful if the scene gives a longer timeframe. If you are a fan of horror movies, then you need to check out this movie titled, Evil Dead Rise 2023.