AT THE MOVIES

by Isy Jordan

Evil Dead Rise
Director: Lee Cronin
Starring: Alyssa Sutherland, Lily Sullivan, Mirabai Pease, Anna-Maree Thomas, Richard Crouchley, and more.


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.

I was one of the lucky ones who grew up with the horror films of the 80s. The 80s gave birth to classic horror franchises like Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and the back half of Halloween. So many other iconic horror films came from that era.

Then there was The Evil Dead. It was just over 90 minutes of uncomfortable demonic posession with low budget effects and a claustrophobic atmosphere that left me terrified. I saw it the first time at 13. I wouldn't have the courage to watch it again for many years.

The sequels were excellent. The many similar films it spawned in the decades since run the gamut from wonderful to "what-the-hell-did-I-just-watch?" There was a remake in 2013 that was updated for a new generation and honestly, one big gore fest that I've only managed to watch twice.

I've been watching news about Evil Dead Rise for months now. Oh, I knew what I was walking into. But how was this going to work? The setting appeared to be an old apartment building in a city, not a cabin in the woods. There's a family with kids.

Evil Dead Rise was everything that was promised. Yes, we have a call back to the "Book of the Dead," even in the urban setting that was used. There's a single mom with her three kids in a very run-down apartment building. The mother's sister shows up, needing help and advice which she never got the chance to ask for. No sooner than the aunt arrived, the demonic hijinks began.

The film was incredibly well done. The way the deadites were brought into this new era and setting was plausible. We learn the building will be demolished in a month and our hero family has to find a new place to live. The few people still living there are poor and desperate.

Add to that the fact that, unlike the original franchise film, this isn't a group of friends with couples. This is a family with children, already struggling in the world. You take the one person that all of them rely upon and have them get possessed? It really ups the emotional ante. Now, you're not just watching to see what happens. You are emotionally invested in the characters, sincerely hoping that somehow, they will survive.

The film rated R and is just over 90 minutes and trust me, it's plenty long enough. It's literally packed with gore, blood, scary visuals, and more. There's language but it's the least of your worries. It also shows children in very real danger and for that reason, I recommend this one only to hard-core devoted horror fans. No, you didn't see all the good stuff in the trailers. You have been warned.

The film is still in theatres so if you're really brave, go see it there. Otherwise, wait for it to stream.

Isy