Evil Dead Rise: Review, Theories, and a Bloody Good Time

Evil Dead Rise is the latest installment of the iconic horror franchise that started with Sam Raimi’s 1981 cult classic The Evil Dead. The film, written and directed by Lee Cronin, follows two estranged sisters who have to fight for their lives and their family against a horde of demonic creatures unleashed by a cursed book. The film is a thrilling and gruesome ride that pays homage to the series’ legacy while also offering some new twists and surprises.

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Plot Summary of Evil Dead Rise

The plot of Evil Dead Rise is simple but effective: Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland), a single mother of three living in a rundown apartment building, finds an ancient book hidden in her basement.

Curious, she opens it and reads aloud some of the strange words written inside. Unbeknownst to her, she has just awakened an evil force that possesses her and turns her into a vicious Deadite – a zombie-like creature with superhuman strength and a twisted sense of humor.

Meanwhile, her sister Beth (Lily Sullivan), who has been away for years pursuing her career as a lawyer, decides to visit Ellie and reconnect with her nieces and nephew. She arrives at Ellie’s apartment just as the chaos begins. Along with Ellie’s kids – Danny (Morgan Davies), Bridget (Gabrielle Echols), and Kassie (Nell Fisher) – Beth has to fend off Ellie’s attacks and find a way to stop the evil from spreading. Along the way, they encounter other survivors and victims in the building, as well as some unexpected allies.

Positive and Negative Aspects of the Movie

Evil Dead Rise has both positive and negative aspects as a horror movie. On the positive side, it is a thrilling and gruesome ride that pays homage to the series’ legacy while also offering new twists and surprises. It has a well-developed and likable cast of characters who face a tragic and terrifying villain. It has a mix of orchestral, electronic, and rock music that creates a tense and atmospheric mood. It has some messages for its audience that relate to its themes of family, loyalty, courage, sacrifice, redemption, survival, and hope.

On the negative side, it is a bit slow and complicated in its first act, which has to set up the film’s deviations from the classic “cabin in the woods” formula. It also relies heavily on violence towards children, which may be too disturbing or exploitative for some viewers. It also lacks some of the comedy and charm that made Sam Raimi’s original trilogy so memorable and unique. It also leaves some questions unanswered or unresolved by the end of the film.

Evil Dead Rise Characters

The characters of Evil Dead Rise are well-developed and likable. Beth is a strong and smart heroine who has to overcome her guilt and resentment towards Ellie for abandoning their family after their mother’s death. She also has to protect Ellie’s children, who have different personalities and reactions to the situation. Danny is a rebellious teenager who loves music and wants to be a DJ. Similarly, Bridget is a sweet girl who loves animals and protests against injustice and Kassie is an adorable toddler who likes playing with dolls.

Ellie is a tragic villain who has been struggling with depression and loneliness before becoming possessed. She taunts and torments her sister and children with cruel words and actions, but also shows glimpses of remorse and humanity. She is not just a mindless monster; she is still Ellie underneath.

The film also features some memorable supporting characters, such as David (Richard Brake), an eccentric neighbor who claims to know how to stop the evil; Mrs. Roper (Alice Krige), an elderly woman who lives next door to Ellie; Mr. Lee (Lee Majors), an old man who owns a convenience store across the street; Ray (Bruce Campbell – HE IS BACK!), a mysterious stranger who shows up at the end.

Themes and Messages in Evil Dead Rise

The themes of Evil Dead Rise include family, loyalty, courage, sacrifice, redemption, survival, and hope.

The film explores how family bonds can be tested by adversity but also strengthened by love. It shows how loyalty can be betrayed or rewarded by fate. It depicts how courage can be found in unlikely places but also challenged by fear, and how sacrifice can be noble or selfish depending on one’s motives. It demonstrates how redemption can be possible even for those who have done terrible things but also elusive for those who don’t seek it sincerely. It further portrays how survival can be achieved by teamwork but also be threatened by individualism, and how hope can be inspiring but also dangerous depending on one’s expectations.

Fan Theories

The theories about Evil Dead Rise are varied and intriguing: some fans speculate that Ray is actually Ash Williams from the original trilogy, who has traveled through time or dimensions to help Beth stop the evil; others suggest that David is actually Professor Knowby from The Evil Dead II, who survived his encounter with the Necronomicon and hid it in Ellie’s basement.

Some fans also propose that Mrs. Roper is actually Henrietta Knowby from The Evil Dead II, who was resurrected by the Necronomicon, and disguised herself as an old lady. Viewers are also wondering if Mr. Lee is actually Lee Cronin himself, who made a cameo appearance in his own film.

People are further questioning if Kassie is actually Kelly Maxwell from Ash vs Evil Dead, who was sent back in time as a baby by Ash; others wonder if there will be a sequel or a crossover with other Evil Dead media.

Music in Evil Dead Rise

The music of Evil Dead Rise is composed by Roque Baños, who also scored Fede Alvarez’s 2013 Evil Dead. The soundtrack features a mix of orchestral, electronic, and rock elements that create a tense and atmospheric mood. The music also incorporates some motifs and themes from previous Evil Dead films, such as Joseph LoDuca’s iconic main theme and Danny Elfman’s march of the dead. The soundtrack also includes some songs that are used in key scenes or during the credits, such as “We Lost Dancing” by The Blessed Madonna feat. Fred Again, and “Evil Woman” by Electric Light Orchestra.

Evil Dead Rise is a bloody good time for fans of horror and comedy alike. It is a worthy addition to the Evil Dead franchise that respects its roots but also reinvents itself for a new generation. It is a film that delivers on its promises of scares, laughs, gore, and fun. It is a film that you don’t want to miss if you love horror movies or just want to have a groovy time at the theater.