Evil Dead Rise has just premiered, and critics say the sequel is wonderfully gnarly, nasty, and very, very gory. After a somewhat successful reboot in 2013 from Fede Álvarez, director Lee Cronin takes the reins for Evil Dead Rise, a sequel to Sam Raimi’s trilogy that trades the franchise’s iconic cabin in the woods location for a cramped L.A. apartment complex. The new movie follows two estranged sisters, played by Alyssa Sutherland and Lily Sullivan, as they find themselves under siege by flesh-eating demons spawned by an ancient book.
Ahead of the Evil Dead Rise release date next month, the film premiered at SXSW where critics have now shared their first enthusiastic reactions to the new movie. The sequel is said to have a darker tone not unlike that of the 2013 reboot while still honoring the original trilogy. Most critics also seem to agree that the movie’s blood, gore, and kills make for a shocking but fun experience. Check out the Evil Dead Rise reactions below:
What The Evil Dead Rise Reactions Mean For The Franchise’s Future
The first Evil Dead movie in 1981 was made on a shoestring budget but earned a strong cult following, announcing Raimi as a powerful directing force. His two follow-up movies were also well-received, but the franchise would lie dormant between 1992’s Army of Darkness and the 2013 reboot. While 2013’s Evil Dead certainly has its fans and is arguably a fun, fresh take on the franchise, a direct sequel never got off the ground.
Evil Dead Rise isn’t connected to the reboot and is billed as more of a continuation of the original trilogy, and the positive first reactions suggest the franchise’s future may be bright. It remains to be seen how general audiences receive the movie, but it could pave the way for additional sequels. The Scream franchise recently found success with last year’s “requel,” combining new and old elements to bring in longtime fans and newcomers alike. It’s certainly possible that Evil Dead Rise will have a similar effect.
Should Evil Dead Rise be a hit at the box office, it could spawn an additional sequel that perhaps connects even more to the original franchise. While former franchise star Bruce Campbell has expressed that he’s done with playing Ash Williams, the actor does appear in a secret cameo in the latest sequel and Raimi, who continues to serve as a producer on the franchise, has expressed his hope that Campbell reprises the role. In any case, Evil Dead Rise is certainly shaping up to be a worthy addition to the beloved franchise.
Key Release Dates
Evil Dead Rise
Release Date:2023-04-21
