Name: Evil Dead Rise
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Released: 2023-04-12T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, Nell Fisher

The opening scene of Evil Dead Rise is a brutal, visceral shock: a possessed woman scalping her cousin with a kitchen knife, all in one unbroken take. It’s a bold statement of intent from director Lee Cronin, signaling that this fifth installment in the Evil Dead franchise will prioritize relentless gore over clever dialogue or campy humor.

Cronin delivers on that promise. The film is a claustrophobic nightmare set entirely within an L.A. apartment building, where estranged sisters Beth (Lily Sullivan) and Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) are trapped with their children after Ellie becomes possessed by a demonic force. Cronin’s use of practical effects—6,500 liters of fake blood, to be exact—creates a visceral, tactile horror that never feels digital or detached. The moment Ellie’s head twists unnaturally backward as she lunges at her family is a standout, blending grotesque imagery with genuine suspense.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smTK_AeAPHshttps

Sullivan and Sutherland anchor the film with committed performances. Sullivan’s Beth is a road-weary guitar technician whose pregnancy forces her to confront her estranged sister, while Sutherland’s Ellie transforms from an overworked single mother into something far more sinister. The dynamic between them—tense, fraught, but ultimately rooted in love—adds emotional weight to the chaos. Sutherland, in particular, excels in the film’s second half as her character becomes increasingly demonic, balancing vulnerability with sheer terror.

The film’s structural choice to confine its horror to a single apartment building is both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it heightens the sense of dread—there’s nowhere to run—and allows for some impressively gory set pieces, like Ellie impaling herself on a metal railing in a frenzied attack. On the other, the setting limits the film’s ability to explore new territory within the Evil Dead mythos. The franchise has always thrived on its remote cabin setting, and while Cronin’s urban twist is fresh, it sometimes feels like an unnecessary constraint.

Where Evil Dead Rise falters is in its pacing. The first act is slow, relying too heavily on exposition about the Naturom Demonto (a replacement for the Necronomicon) to establish stakes. Once Ellie fully transforms into a Deadite, however, the film finds its groove, culminating in a relentless final act that delivers some of the most brutal kills in the series.

The film’s decision to downplay humor in favor of pure horror is divisive but defensible. Longtime fans may miss the franchise’s signature dark comedy, but Cronin’s approach ensures Evil Dead Rise stands apart from its predecessors. The thematic focus on motherhood—Ellie’s descent into demonic possession as a metaphor for the overwhelming pressures of parenthood—adds depth to what could have been a simple slasher flick.

Ultimately, Evil Dead Rise is a gory, intense horror experience that proves the franchise still has bite. Cronin’s direction is confident, the practical effects are impressive, and Sutherland’s performance is a standout.

Tags: horror, Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Evil Dead Rise, Lee Cronin, Morgan Davies