Evil Dead (2013)

"You're all going to die tonight."

Seeing as the trailer for the TV series 'Ash vs Evil Dead' was dropped a couple of days ago, I thought I'd go back and talk about the 2013 remake of the original classic.

All I can say about this film is if you're squeamish, don't watch it...

A group of five friends head to a remote cabin in the woods to conduct a DIY rehab for their friend Mia, but the discovery of a Book of the Dead leads them to, unwittingly, summon evil demons.

This film is an absolute punch in the face from the get go. 

I'm a fan of the original 'Evil Dead' franchise but they've become pretty campy and entertaining over the years so this was a remake that I was actually excited to see. It was the perfect opportunity to bring a breath of fresh air to the franchise and bring it into the 21st century. It certainly does that and more.

'Evil Dead' skips to the chase in this no nonsense horror. 
It follows the basic plot from the original film but with a few more twisted little additions.
The book of the dead is opened and read from and all hell is released. It knows exactly what it is and what you want so it doesn't beat around the bush getting there. Straight from the opening scene you know this film is going to be a hell of a ride and the pace doesn't really let up. All the exposition and character relationships are done and dusted in the first 10 minutes which would be awfully clunky in any other film but 'Evil Dead' knows the audience and what we want so it gets it all out of the way nice and early.

Before you know it you're grabbed by the throat by this bone crunching horror, there's demons on the loose with all the gore and thrills you can shake a stick at... Or an electric meat knife. 

Although the story is basic, a group of friends in the woods have to survive an evil demon attack, it is the execution of 'Evil Dead' that makes it so special. It manages to stand on its own two feet while capturing the style of the original and respecting the source material. It is hardcore horror at its finest while still being entertaining and fun.

The film knows the plot holes and the flaws of the original so actively solves the gaping problems with clever story points. For instance, why don't they just leave the cabin? 

When shit hits the fan, and I mean really hits the fan, they can't leave the cabin because they believe that Mia is just reacting to the withdrawal symptoms of the rehab. It's nice that they acknowledge these basic issues and address them so that the plot has a little more logic.

It's nice to have an adult horror film. This isn't a horror film that is aimed at teenagers, it's not diluted down to a 12 or a 15 certificate for a younger audience. This is a straight up, hardcore 18 and rightly so. It's the perfect balance between brutality, thrills and scares. It'll make you laugh in places that you really shouldn't laugh and make you want to throw up at the same time. 

The acting is functional for the plot but you don't expect Oscar worthy performances in a film like this. You're more interested in whether or not they're going to survive the demons tearing them apart rather than the subtle nuances in their performances. Jane Levy is decent as our drug addicted heroine and carries the film alongside the rest of the passable performances.

This film is a war. It's a fight for survival and you have no idea if anyone's going to make it out in one piece... Literally.

The gore in the film is all practical, there's little to no CGI and the film benefits from it hugely. Everything is real and gritty. The make-up is phenomenal and really makes the difference, if everything was CGI in this film then I can guarantee that wouldn't have had the same effect. When there's an injury or a hard hitting piece of violence, you really feel it. Every flesh wound looks like it hurts and it draws you deeper into the film.

It takes no survivors and pulls no punches.

What I really love about the demon in this film is the fact that it's exactly what an evil demon should be. This thing isn't banging doors or going about saying "BOO!", this demon is malicious and doesn't waste any time. It wants these people dead and it wants them dead now. Those guys from 'Paranormal Activity' had it easy compared to what this group go through.

This remake restored my faith in modern horror in 2013 and is the reason why I still wade through the mass sewage of bad horror films that are released. When you find a little gem like this, it makes it all worth while. 'Evil Dead' got it right and I am still waiting for another film that can take up the gauntlet.

Overall, 'Evil Dead' is a great piece of modern horror that will knock the wind out of you. It's violent, it's scary and it's fun. If you're not a fan of horror then I think this will be a step too far for you but if there's an ounce of a horror fan in you then you'll love this. It all culminates to a huge finale that's literally a bloodbath and you'll be left breathless and gasping for more at the end. 

I'm actually really forward to the TV series now and suggest everyone watch 'Evil Dead' first. Hopefully there'll be just as much horror and just as much blood! 

"Promise, you'll stay till the end."