As a screenwriter myself, I’m often critical of the screenplay and plotting of any movie I get to see. Despite late rewrites and unforeseen production challenges, the finished edit more so often looks a bit different from paper and at times drastically apart. This can better the film or destroy the vision. So when a story unfolds as tightly as possible on the screen, my hat is off for the team.

Evil Dead Rise understands its limits and utilises the playground available in almost all the clever ways the Horror genre can allow. Location, Time, Cast and a budget of 19 million dollars with a box-office of 90 million as I post this, That’s good business.

*SPOILERS AHEAD

THE GOOD.

a. A confined story

Director and writer Lee Cronin keeps things intimate, tight and confined. One main location, 2 lead actors, 3 supporting and an affordable entire movie cast of about 10 characters. Either limited by budget or carrying on the franchise’s theme of a ‘small group of people trapped in a house’, Lee strikes the right horror chords with a simple linear family story that is relatable, scary and gory. The whole film lasts for one day’s night to dawn. This lends the story urgency and the claustrophobic element that works with horrors.

Evil Dead Rise centres on two partially estranged sisters; Beth and Ellie, who are struggling with life individually but find themselves trapped in this old pre-condemned apartment with Ellies’s three kids and few cleverly numbered neighbours. The two sisters are both at the precipice of their old lives and need each other to start anew in life, but after a mild earthquake unearths the book of the dead and curious teenage son Danny plays one of the old phonograph records, a demonic entity is summoned. The evil posses Ellie and she charges through the building to kill everyone before dawn. Simple and Effective.

There is barely a boring pass-time moment in the film. From the first drone frame flying through the woods to the last similar shot in the building basement, Evil dead rise is on a budget and has neither time nor space to waste. Lee escapes the need to meander locations and backstories flashbacks, turning his shortages into gold. Most of the creative choices the production team makes are on point. They serve the film not hinder it.

b.Creative shots and tricks

With over 1000 Films released a year, as a viewer you’re always looking for something fresh and intriguing. It may be recycled but the application of a skill or trait can turn something old anew. Three moments stood out for me in the film.

1.The drone and peephole shots. At the opening of the movie Cinematographer Dave Garbett utilises a drone shot that slithers through the woods and works efficiently to represent an ominous evil entity but most importantly sets the tone; This is a scary movie and something bad is about to happen. The same shot goes on to represent moments of possession for Ellie and Jessica effectively as the unseen demon watching our unknowing characters. It’s brilliant. Now you might argue that drone shots are not a new thing today and you are right, but the application here felt necessary as opposed to coming off as a trick that the cinematographer wanted to experiment with. It serves purpose.

After possession, Ellie is locked out of the house and roams the hallway killing, waiting and trying to cunningly persuade pre-teen daughter Kassie into letting her in. We are immersed into the peeping of what is beyond the room through a concave lens shot of a peeping hole and it works beautifully. To reiterate, this shot is not a new invention but the..application.

2.The grater. The moment when Bridget attacks Beth in the kitchen and grates her calf was something unexpected. Gory and befitting of the genre. It reminded me of a scene in the (2005) House of Wax slasher film where a character’s Achille’s tendon was cut with scissors. Such simple yet outstandingly clever moments can make a movie stand out and in today’s market, you always want to have such trend worthy moments. Look at how the dancing scene at the stairs turned (2019’s) Joker into a billion dollar film.

3.The elevator semi-contortion. Ellie’s possession is a thing of bondage and bone breaking. The demon finds her in the elevator returning with laundry and then in horror fashion uses the lift wires and cables to twist and bend her midair into an artistically painful work of art. I’m not sure why, but this scene reminded me of (2000’s) Hollowman and Scarymovie 2.

c. Alyssa Sutherland.

Not related to Jack Bauer (Keith Sutherland), Alyssa Sutherland is a star born! For both Director Lee Cronin and actress Alyssa, this movie might be their launchpad to blockbuster budgets and hotcake casting respectively. I first watched Alyssa on the tv show Vikings and understandably she neither had much to do there nor stand out for me then. Evil Dead Rise might just make her the next horror leading lady or villain! She has an interesting face which she plays with during the demon possessed scenes and quite scary might I add. She carries the film and propels herself to the summit of the Evil Dead Rise’s excellence. Let’s wait and see if Hollywood has noticed.

THE NOT SO GOOD

Despite the exciting visuals per budget and neat screenplay, Evil Dead Rise has a problem.. wait. I can not think of a major issue with this movie worth writing about. It is not perfect, but it is mostly good for what it is.

CONCLUSION

I have not watched the original trilogy or the 2013 soft reboot but Evil Dead Rise is a four star Horror film for anyone looking for some good old scares. The film is well paced and fundamentally grounds itself in reality. Be prepared for some out of the seat jumps and face cover moments that will have you peeping through your fingers.

For those in Uganda, the best cinema to go to is CENTURY CINEMAX. Experience the latest in HD Surround Sound at all 3D Cinemas located at Acacia Mall kisementi, Metroplex Naalya & Arena mall Nsambya. For bookings and more information visit their website @centurycinema.co.ug

ABOUT ME:

I’m a God fearing Ugandan writer, film producer and artist working in the Ugandan media industry for over the last ten years now and am thankful for the experience, the people I’ve met and the modest living I’ve earned along the way. Thank you for reading this blog. You’re a unicorn. So continue being awesome and kindly share with a friend, leave a comment and subscribe to keep in the know of what I write weekly every Friday! See you next time. Stay Kind.

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