“Mommy’s with the maggots now.”

Kat’s rating: There’s nothing like a mother’s love.

Kat’s review: Now, I have to admit something before we dive in — I haven’t seen any of the other Evil Dead movies. I know, I know! But don’t worry, I plan to catch up soon. In a way, this might make me the most impartial person to review Evil Dead Rise solely on its own merits. After doing some research on Reddit, I’ve learned a couple of things: 1) Most of the Evil Dead movies take place in a cabin, and 2) This one is somewhat related to the 2013 release. Since the 2013 version seems to be everyone’s favorite, I’ll definitely be going back to watch that.

Evil Dead Rise caught my eye while I was at the theaters to watch Cocaine Bear. The trailer was absolutely horrifying, and the movie itself lived up to its promise and then some. However, I made a mistake of eating dinner while watching it, and I strongly advise against doing the same. Contrary to previous Evil Dead movies, the 2023 release takes place in an urban apartment complex that, while beautiful, could probably benefit from some tender loving care. Though in an apartment complex in a bustling city, the main characters still manage to feel extremely isolated from the outside world.

They couldn’t have chosen a better group of people for this movie, particularly when it comes to the portrayal of our possessed mother, Ellie, who is brilliantly brought to life (and later death) by actress Alyssa Sutherland. Joining Ellie in the bohemian residence are her three distinctly creative children: Bridget (Gabrielle Echols), Danny (Morgan Davies), and Kassie (Nell Fisher). The chaos bumps up to 11 after Ellie’s sister, Beth (Lily Sullivan), pays a visit to the eclectic brood.

Thanks to a rather aggressive earthquake, the foundation of the apartment complex cracks open, revealing long-buried secrets. Among them, a rather grotesque flesh-bound book with teeth along the text block. (Which I am sure avid watchers and fans of the Evil Dead franchise will recognize all too well.) This movie wastes absolutely no time getting into the nitty-gritty. It’s honestly one of the first horror movies I’ve watched recently where I had to cover my eyes and ears. It truly delivers an absolute rollercoaster of creative carnage. It’s got everything from eye trauma to gruesome vomit scenes, creepy bugs, shattered glass, and broken bones. You’ll witness decapitations, dismemberment, stab wounds, and shotgun blasts, with sharp objects piercing through the most sensitive body parts. At one point, we are even treated to a bit of an homage to the iconic elevator scene from The Shining.

As an impartial viewer of the franchise, Evil Dead Rise stands on its own as a quietly horrifying film. I’m so stoked to have a marathon of the franchise and dive deep into the long and complex lore that is the Evil Dead. Now, if there is a certain way to watch this, like how Star Wars fans want you to watch the third movie first, let me know.

In conclusion, Evil Dead Rise offers a disturbingly captivating journey into terror, with a stellar cast, masterful practical effects, and relentless scares. It’s a horror film that demands to be seen on the big screen for the full immersive experience. Prepare yourself for a night of terror, as this installment proves that the Evil Dead franchise still has the power to terrify and captivate audiences, both old and new.

Intermission!

• Very pleased our feline friend doesn’t pass away. I always knew demons and cats had a special understanding.
• I keep seeing everyone say the little girl could have given the pizza a better chance. She dropped it on the floor in a damp parking garage! Leave the pizza.
• Notable bone-chilling quote; “Mommy’s with the maggots now.”
• The cheese grater scene is still haunting the deepest corners of my mind.
• We receive a nod to the vapid and self-absorbed nature that plagues us young folks when the final girl, soon to be possessed, walks through a BLOOD-SOAKED garage filled with carnage and fails to notice anything.