By mixing modern characters with over the top violence that maintains a wicked sense of slapstick, Evil Dead Rise is a blood drenched example of how good an update to a classic franchise can be.
The setting has changed and preceedings centre around a pair of semi estranged sisters and some kids but most other things remain. The feeling of isolation and growing terror is still there, playing a sinister recording you find hidden away is still a terrible idea and a boomstick and chainsaw are still a survivor's best friend.
The change of setting proves no problem as it turns out all you need to recreate the isolation of a log cabin is a high rise apartment with a broken lift and some collapsed stairs. A family home also opens up opportunities for all sorts of home applience nastiness and director Lee Cronin doesn't hold back when it comes to gruesome violence, although those traumatised by the trailer will be relieved to know he stops short of that needle puncturing an eyeball.
2013's Evil Dead had a decent swing at recreating the magic of the original but fell short by failing to implement the humour. What make the series deadites stand out amongst a sea of glassy eyed slashers and brain munching zombies is their sense of chaotic fun. The Necranomicon demons won't just kill you, they'll f**k with you while doing it. Evil Dead Rise is by no means a comedy but that sense of mischievousness is there. This actually adds an extra level of menace given that the central threat of the film is a mother, so often the last line of defence in a horror movie, out to terrorise her own children.
Alyssa Sutherland is oustanding as the possessed matriarch, playing the part with such chilling glee that it makes you fearful for anyone close to her in real life. The two older kids are pretty one note (son likes music, daughter likes protest) but the actors fill the roles well and the the youngest daughter is great and will really have you routing for her survival. Lilly Sullivan plays main protagonist Beth pretty low key to keep the emphasis on scares but there are glimpses that she could "Ash Williams" it up in the future.
Not every stab hits the jugular. A pregnancy subplot aims to bring in a fear of motherhood theme but doesn't really add anything to proceedings and the discovery of the Book of the Dead makes little sense in the new setting. These are minor gripes, there is more than enough tension without another thematic layer and the book itself is the best it's ever been, all sticky pages and genuinely unsettling images.
When the viscera has settled Evil Dead Rise maintains the series run as the most consistent horror franchise around and will leave you eager for the next rev of the chainsaw.
9 flying eyeballs swallowed out of 10
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