‘Evil Dead Rise’ Non-Spoiler Review – A Supernatural Ride That Stops Before It Begins

If you thought the Evil Dead franchise was done with 2013’s Evil Dead and Starz’s Ash vs Evil Dead, then you are sorely mistaken. Coming from his 2019 film, The Hole in the Ground, Lee Cronin takes over the director’s chair—as well as sits behind the screenwriter’s keyboard—for his next filmmaking feat, Evil Dead Rise. The film continues in all the goriness that the 2013 installment possessed, and yet, it appears to be its own entity within the franchise. Still, we can only see that as a decent thing moving forward.

Minor spoilers are ahead for those unfamiliar with the Evil Dead franchise and/or who have not yet seen this film.

Discussion

Cronin’s entry into this supernatural horror franchise is akin to Fede Álvarez’s entry more than any others that we have seen. Rise removes all the comedic humor that the others contain and instead shoots for full-on blood, gore, and terror. Whereas the 2013 film focused on themes of drug addiction and mental illness as forms of demons, this fifth installment into Sam Raimi’s beloved supernatural horror series instead solely centers on a theme of family—or loss thereof. Cronin subjects a family and their apartment floor of neighbors to the horrors of The Book of the Dead.

A New Body of Work

On one hand, I do love Cronin’s use of in media res, starting the film at the end and guiding us through the events of how certain characters reached that point (of no return). The sequence in this initial scene offered a nice introduction to the franchise that seldom had to do with the iconic cabin in the woods. This alternatively brings fans and viewers to a lakehouse somewhere in the middle of—apparently—California. It is a nice touch to matters, yet it could have been stretched out more.

Bassett’s production designs of the lakehouse and the apartment complex—i.e. the family’s apartment, the hallway, and, most especially, the parking garage—are neat for the most part. Although, I do feel as if the 97-minute runtime allots insufficient space for both characters and viewers to investigate the wider scope of these locations’ intensities. Granted, within the walls of the latter, what I enjoyed most were the little sequence of Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) in the elevator as well as the sequence(s) where the family watches her as a Deadite on the other side of the apartment door via peephole.

There were some gut-wrenching sequences that include a tattoo needle and a wine glass, not to mention the line, “Free from all you titty-sucking parasites”. I even found it a tad hilarious to see one Deadite floating under a bedsheet as if a stereotypical old-school ghost. Also, how extremely convenient it is that both a Boomstick and a chainsaw appear in this film! Still, what seems to grasp my attention are the few split-field diopter shots of the family in the apartment. While not a lot, I loved how the cinematographers played around creatively with the camera.

The Sound of Ruins

It is additionally eerie to watch as one of the children searches through a part of the building where they discover The Book of the Dead. Rossander and Tue Track did excellent when it came to the demon vocals and vinyl sound effects, respectively. The Deadites’ repetitions of the phrase “dead by dawn” is chilling. It is one that sets off the climax of the film’s narrative in a horrifying manner.

In terms of the music, McKeon and Stewart do tremendous work enticing the viewers through tunes. I most especially enjoyed the score during the final scene when the survivor(s) attempt to leave the building. The developmental detail of Danny (Morgan Davies) mixing music is my favorite. Unfortunately, it is a shame how that plays a role in the external conflict itself. Of course, perhaps that is required of the narrative, but that specific detail also irked me with Raimi’s first film.

What Seems to be Missing?

With that said, in areas that felt empty, as was with Álvarez’s film, the screenwriting here then becomes the classic challenge of “show, don’t tell”. In terms of its physical atmosphere, Evil Dead Rise did not feel like the central family was residing in California. For the case with horror fans, it is similar to Seed of Chucky giving us what looks to be Hollywood or Scream VI seemingly giving us New York City. The location setting is not convincing, and to put it bluntly, it could easily be anywhere in the world.

As much as the film came off as a visual horror trip, I could not help but think that Cronin could beef up his screenplay. For example, one plot development we do not see is how the family’s father figure affects the household environment. That is not to say that a single-parent household is unsettling or unstable per se. However, it does tend to get uneasy to manage. The children—Danny, Bridget (Gabrielle Echols), and their younger sister, Kassie (Nell Fisher)—depict this idea well and can be representative of a profound number of Western families with children.

Another plot development that needed more build-up has to do with Ellie’s sister, Beth (Lily Sullivan). In her introductory scene, the character discovers something about herself that could be vulnerable against the likes of the Deadites. The film could have made that more of an internal conflict. Instead, it just showcases the Deadites verbally abusing her with no longer-term effects.

Noteworthy Allusions, References, and Sequences

At the beginning of the film, a character is shown to be reading Ellis Bell/ Emily Brontë’s Romantic Gothic 1847 novel, Wuthering Heights. This is a fitting plot device, given both the book and Cronin’s film involve tenants enduring tragic experiences.

There is a reference to New Line Cinema’s Nightmare on Elm Street films at one point. It is not much—a couple to a few lines of dialogue during a brief scene—but I did like the small commentary on whether most or all of that franchise’s films were any good.

Watching Beth and her family as an intruding force enters their home reminds me of Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart in Fincher’s Panic Room. I could not help but think this, especially when Beth opens a window to cry for help during a loud rushing downpour of rain. The family’s father figure not being in the picture but still supporting in some capacity also contributes to this idea.

There is a sequence at the end of the film that is more obvious than others. In an allusion to a popular work by the literary horror god, Stephen King, Cronin writes in an expensive reference that has only appeared in Warner Brothers films only twice in the prior few years. I adored how the filmmaker and his team were able to create this image, which produces fine results.

In my opinion, the Deadite that appears in the final scene of the film resembles a monstrosity that came off the pages of a Junji Ito manga. I love how creature team Johansen, Beattie, and Oliver constructed this look, and I only wished more would have come to light.

The Crew Behind Evil Dead Rise

Romel Adam, Richard Brener (It: Chapter One, Shazam!, Mortal Kombat, Don’t Worry Darling, Final Destination 6), Bruce Campbell, Macdara Kelleher, John Keville, Dave Neustadter (Final Destination 5, It: Chapter One, Shazam!, Mortal Kombat, Final Destination 6), Victoria Palmeri (Mortal Kombat), and Sam Raimi serve as the executive producers of the film. Rob Tapert (Evil Dead II, Darkman, Drag Me to Hell, Don’t Breathe, Ash vs Evil Dead) serves as the producer.

Stephen McKeon serves as the composer for the film. Dina Coughlan and Rory McPartland are the music supervisors. Graeme Stewart is the music editor.

Peter Albrechtsen is the sound designer. Mikkel Nielsen is the assistant sound designer. Charles Maynes (From Dusk Till Dawn, Spider-Man, Planet Terror, Outcast), Rana Eid, and Thomas Perez-Pape are the sound effects editors. Jenny Rossander does the demon vocal effects, while Tue Track does the vinyl sound effects.

Dave Garbett (Ash vs Evil Dead) serves as the director of photography, while Ziga Zupancic is the second unit DP. Stephen Boylan serves as the storyboard artist.

Bryan Shaw (Ash vs Evil Dead) serves as the editor for the film. Annie Hubbard is an additional editor, while Zane Neki is an assistant editor. Paula Moura and Conor Spelman are the assistant editors for the film’s post-production.

Kirsty McGregor (Little Monsters, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) and Stu Turner (Ash vs Evil Dead, X, Pearl) are the casting directors. Will Pearce, Karla Spika, and Joe Fisher are the casting associates.

Stuart Thorp is the stunt coordinator. Jess O’Connor, Tineke Rosson, Benjamin Raoult, Ryder Grant, Megan Morrison, and Levi Marsh serve as the stunt doubles for the film.

Aesthetics, Appearances, and Visuals

Nick Bassett (Ash vs Evil Dead, Guns Akimbo) serves as the production designer for the film. Nick Connor (District 9, Ash vs Evil Dead, Guns Akimbo, The Power of the Dog) is the supervising art director. George Hamilton is the art director. Mason Rattray is the set designer.

Charlie McClellan (Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy) serves as the visual effects supervisor. Jamie Turpin is the visual effects editor. Luke Polti is the makeup FX and prosthetics designer.

Sarah Voon (Evil Dead) is the costume designer for the film.

Vanessa Hurley is the hair & makeup designer. Verity Griffiths is the key hair & makeup artist. Mitzi Doney is the hair & makeup artist.

Adam Johansen (Alien: Covenant, Thor: Love and Thunder) of Odd Studio serves as the creature designer. Andrew Beattie is the on-set makeup FX creature supervisor. Harry Oliver is the creature makeup FX artist.

The Cast of Evil Dead Rise

Lily Sullivan portrays Beth, the protagonist of Evil Dead Rise.

Alyssa Sutherland portrays Ellie, Beth’s sister and the mother of Danny, Bridget, and Kassie. Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, and Nell Fisher play Danny, Bridget, and Kassie, respectively.

Jayden Daniels plays Gabriel, while Mark Mitchinson plays Mr. Fonda.

Billy Reynolds-McCarthy and Tai Wano play Jake and Scott, two young boys living in the apartment, respectively.

Mirabai Pease plays Teresa, while Anna-Maree Thomas plays Jessica. Richard Crouchley plays Caleb, Jessica’s boyfriend.

Noah Paul plays Bruce. Melissa Xiao plays a newscaster.

Bruce Campbell makes an uncredited cameo as the voice of a priest.

Final Thoughts on Evil Dead Rise

At times, Lee Cronin’s Evil Dead Rise makes for a somewhat amusing horror-viewing experience as a family dynamic crumbles with every passing moment. For the most part, the film is a fun ride. In fact, I adored the grottophilic and toweromanic feels of the Gothic narrative. However, like all rollercoasters, there is only so much you can expect from this installment. As much as I enjoyed the incredibly thrilling yet tragic performances of its actors, I can only wish to have gotten more development from its characters. The highs of this April weekend are not quite high enough, and this horror show never really goes too low. It makes sense as to why this film was originally planned to release on HBO Max, or now, Max. Conversely, it also makes sense that this would release theatrically. Visually, as a horror narrative, this looks too excellent for its own good.

The inclusion of The Book of the Dead in this entry suggests a larger connection to Raimi’s franchise. I cannot wait to see what could become of the final (or shall we say, the beginning) scene of this film. The fans now have to anticipate more entries in the Evil Dead series, but only time will tell if that will hold truth.

Lee Cronin’s Evil Dead Rise is now playing in theaters!

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