When I started writing for The Stute in the fall, my first film review was the 2017 horror movie Get Out. So, it only seems fitting that my last review for the academic year should be another horror movie, although instead of a psychological horror movie like Get Out, I will be reviewing the new supernatural horror movie that was released a few weeks ago: Evil Dead Rise.
Evil Dead Rise is the fifth installment in the Evil Dead franchise, although it is not necessary to see the previous four movies to understand the plot of Evil Dead Rise, which concerns a family in a Los Angeles apartment building that is being threatened by the rise of demons that can possess humans.
One of the many aspects that make the Evil Dead franchise so great is their use of practical effects for all of the gore in the movies, and Evil Dead Rise might just take the cake for the best effects work in the series. The effects department really did a fantastic job of making all the violence and kills in the movie look both gruesome and realistic enough to make anyone’s stomach turn.
One more part of Evil Dead Rise that I find to be particularly noteworthy is Alyssa Sutherland’s performance as Ellie. The juxtaposition of her character before and after her possession in the apartment building’s elevator is incredibly impressive on her part, as she manages to go from a sweet and sympathetic single mother to a cruel and horrifying Deadite within a matter of minutes. I would not be surprised if Sutherland’s performance in the film lands her a few roles in future projects.
Evil Dead Rise has been receiving very positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, and the details I mentioned above are just a few of the reasons why it is earning such acclaim. Evil Dead Rise is a great choice if you’re looking to go to the theater for a good scare, and a must-see for any and all horror movie fanatics.
