The reviews are in from the world premiere of Lee Cronin‘s “Evil Dead Rise” at SXSW 2023 last month. And the verdict? Pretty solid all around (although The Playlist’s review didn’t match the consensus). But now it’s time for the general audience to have their say as the film hits theaters later this month.
Cronin’s take on Sam Raimi‘s legendary horror franchise sees the series decamp from the deep words to Los Angeles, where a sister checks in on her older sister and her three children only to discover the Deadites got to them first.
Here’s an official synopsis for “Evil Dead Rise,” courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures:
A road-weary Beth pays an overdue visit to her older sister Ellie, who is raising three kids on her own in a cramped L.A apartment. The sisters’ reunion is cut short by the discovery of a mysterious book deep in the bowels of Ellie’s building, giving rise to flesh-possessing demons, and thrusting Beth into a primal battle for survival as she is faced with the most nightmarish version of motherhood imaginable.
“Evil Dead Rise” stars Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, and Nell Fisher. The film also stars Richard Crouchley, Mirabai Pease, and Anna-Marie Thomas. Jayden Daniels, Billy Reynolds-McCarthy, and Tai Wano round out the main cast.
Cronin writes “Evil Dead Rise” along with directing. Also of note: Rob Tapert, producer extraordinaire of the “Evil Dead” franchise, returns to produce this one, too.
So where will “Evil Dead Rise” fall in the overall “Evil Dead” franchise rankings? Higher than Fede Alvarez‘s 2013 film? As high as the 1981 original? Nothing will ever touch 1987’s “Evil Dead II,” though. Audiences get the final world when “Evil Dead Rise” hits theaters on April 21. Watch the Final Review trailer for the film below.