Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Evil Dead Rise is the rare franchise entry that doesn’t just keep the blood pumping—it finds a fresh vein, relocating the mayhem to a cramped urban setting where every hallway feels like a trap and every door a dare. Lee Cronin stages carnage with a wickedly inventive imagination, marrying gnarly practical effects and “did they really just do that?” deadite moments to a manic, almost gleeful momentum that’s as fun as it is ferocious. Beneath the splatter, the sisterly tension gives the horror a mean little heartbeat, turning family into the scariest room in the building. Fair warning: this is unapologetically gory and loud—if you want your horror nasty, energetic, and proudly groovy, it delivers the goods with a grin.

“Evil Dead Rise” knows exactly what it wants to be: a nasty, high-energy splatter ride that traps the Evil Dead chaos in a cramped, modern setting and dares you to look away. If you’re here for inventive gore, relentless pacing, and a few genuinely gnarly set pieces, it delivers the goods. But if you need a strong story or characters with real depth to stay invested, this can feel hollow and a bit “been there” between the blood-soaked highlights, with the grueling intensity wearing thin rather than building meaningfully. Best for fans who treat Evil Dead as a loud, mean theme-park attraction—not for anyone hoping this entry elevates the franchise beyond brutal horror basics.