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Review – Evil Dead Rise (2022)

With its origins dating back over 40 years ago, five films in its repertoire, and a string of classic catchphrases, The Evil Dead movies are a certifiable success. Adding to this stellar reputation is Lee Cronin’s bloody and bold contribution to what might just be one of the most beloved horror series. With all the hype and pressure of delivering a horror that lives up to its well-received predecessor Evil Dead (2013), it can safely be assumed that Cronin must’ve certainly felt the heat.

The fifth instalment is not a carbon copy of any of its predecessors. Besides the odd pov camera angle, chainsaw weaponry, and the essential Necronomicon, Evil Dead Rise is totally original, forgoing predictability in favour of focusing its attention on the unexpected, making a ruse out of the whole narrative. With that being said, Cronin throws in plenty of callbacks to classic horror movies, making use of throwbacks to elicit a nod of appreciation from its seasoned audience and to introduce new fans to the delights that await them. The Exorcist (1978), The Shining (1980), and The Thing (1984) are just some of the many classic movies that Cronin sprinkles in. 

The film takes the burgeoning concept of reallocating classic movie franchises to the city, hoping to conjure widespread, uncontainable fear. Whilst many Evil Dead fans may have been apprehensive about the big city move, the apartment complex setting makes for a dreadfully claustrophobic atmosphere that suffocates and annihilates every step of the way.

Evil Dead Rise gives way to many nerve-racking scares; there’s certainly an abundance of frights that will have you looking over your shoulder for a day or two and develop a lifelong fear of door spy holes! At the crux of Evil Dead Rise’s success is the film’s toe-curling violence that starts at the very beginning of the film, not letting you have the chance to breathe, let alone enjoy an escapist moment or two. The terror is fast-paced and beyond brutal; the sheer quantity of bloodshed is not just generous but almost entirely repulsive (in the best way possible).

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News

This week in horror – 29.05.21

Spiral: From the Book of Saw cements it’s place as one of the most successful Saw films

Sprial: From the Book of Saw drove in heaps of hype even before its release, with fans buzzing about seeing the Jigsaw Killer back in action. However, Sprial scrapped the previous films and continued in a new direction in attempts to reinvent the franchise.

Despite mixed reviews, it seems that Darren Lynn Bousman has succeeded in doing so as box office figures reveal that it topped the theatrical charts and has racked up enough profit to make the entire Saw franchise gross over $1 Billion total. Pushing Spiral’s success even more is the announcement of its streaming debut. At home audiences will be able to watch Spiral in perfect time for Halloween, as Starz has picked up the film for an early October release. 

Check out our review of Spiral here

Netflix announces Fear Street trilogy

Streaming giant Netflix is no stranger to criticism for its lack of attention to horror, every week we see a plethora of dramas and comedies be spun out, yet the horror section remains bare in comparison. And it seems that this feedback has finally gotten back to them, as earlier this week it was announced that a “Fear Street” trilogy will be coming very soon. Goosebumps author R.L. Stine is known for his PG horror novels, including the Fear Street series.

Netflix will take on this trilogy by creating three separate film set at different times. Fear Street Part I is set in 1994, with the others based in 1978 and 1666. Little has been released concerning plot details, but what we can gather is that Part I takes inspiration from 90s teen horrors, such as Scream. Part II delves into a cabin/ summer camp environment, possibly emulating early 80s hits including Friday the 13th. And then finally we have Part III, which goes way back in time and certainly gives off The Witch vibes.

Fear Street Part I premiers on July 2nd. 

New Evil Dead movie begins production

The Evil Dead set audiences ablaze in 1984 with its inventive take on possession horror. Since then the franchise has seen two sequels, a very successful remake and a tv series. So its no surprise that Sam Raimi’s innovative direction is back once again. Evil Dead Rise brings back Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi as executive producers. Alongside them is Lee Cronin who will direct the upcoming hit.

Cronin’s credentials include a segment in the anthology horror Minutes Past Midnight and the A24 gem The Hole in the Ground. Production will commence shortly in New Zealand and even more excitingly Evil Dead Rise will not be based in the traditional wood setting, but instead a city landscape. 

Last Night in Soho’s highly anticipated trailer shows a promising descent into the disturbed  

Last Night in Soho has been the talk of the town since its announcement in 2019, and with restrictions it seems that fans have been waiting a lifetime to see Edgar Wright’s latest exploration into psychological horror. The film is set to follow in the footsteps of the genre’s most acclaimed thrillers, including Don’t Look Now and Repulsion.

The first trailer was released earlier this week and audiences already can’t get enough of Anya Taylor-Joy and Matt Smith in this frightful tale of delusion, distrust and madness. Despite the trailer being rather cryptic (possibly a hint to the film’s aura) Last Night in Soho alludes to the importance of time transference, with a keen focus on psychedelic themes.

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.