Lee Cronin’s Evil Dead Rise represents the latest addition to the renowned horror series that originated back in 1981. Featuring Alyssa Sutherland as a mother transformed into a haunting zombie within the confines of a Los Angeles apartment building, this movie captivates viewers with its mesmerizing makeup, impressive special effects, and breathtaking photography. It’s important to note that Evil Dead Rise deviates from its predecessors, injecting freshness into Sam Raimi’s iconic film franchise.
With the inclusion of Evil Dead Rise, the Evil Dead movie count now stands at five, spanning three decades of an ever-evolving project that also encompasses a TV series. The impact the Evil Dead franchise has had on horror films cannot be understated, as it has garnered a dedicated following of fans who appreciate its disturbing visual humor, gruesome violence, and delightfully campy comedic elements.
Evil Dead Rise Plot
The movie begins with a group of friends on a camping trip, where one of the girls becomes possessed by a deadite. The story then shifts to the main characters, Beth and Ellie, who live in a condemned apartment building. Ellie gets possessed after finding the Book of the Dead, and chaos ensues as the deadites attack the residents of the building.
The focus shifts to one of the main characters, Beth, who is a grungy metal band guitar technician and finds out she is pregnant. She goes to her sister Ellie’s apartment building in Los Angeles, where Ellie and her three children live. The building is scheduled for demolition, and their relationship is strained. The theme of motherhood is explored through the characters of Beth, Ellie, and their absent mother.
Also Read: Evil Dead Rise End Credit Scene Explained
More trouble
An earthquake occurs, causing structural damage to the building’s parking garage. Ellie’s son, Danny, discovers a hole leading to an abandoned bank vault and finds the Book of the Dead and vintage vinyl records. He brings them to the apartment and accidentally opens the book, causing a deadite to possess Ellie in the elevator. The deadite attacks everyone in the building, and they lock Ellie outside. Ellie’s oldest daughter, Bridget, gets possessed as well.
The unfolds as a thrilling series of events of Evil Dead, but with a unique twist of being set within the confines of an apartment building. Ellie, a menacing presence, wreaks havoc on the unsuspecting neighbors, while Bridget emerges as a formidable adversary, relentlessly targeting the protagonists. However, their reign of terror does not go unchecked.
As the tension soars, Beth discovers a hidden vinyl record, its enigmatic tunes revealing a shocking revelation – the only way to effectively combat the malevolent deadites is through the gruesome act of total body dismemberment. Armed with this dark knowledge, the heroes face their biggest challenge yet.
Just when it seems that all hope is lost, Ellie resurfaces, silently infiltrating the very heart of the apartment. Unexpectedly, she forms an unholy alliance with Bridget, paving the way for a climactic showdown that will determine the fate of all involved. The stage is set for an epic clash, where loyalties are tested and the boundaries of good and evil blur.
Evil Dead Rise Ending Explained
Danny sacrifices himself to save the youngest daughter, Cassie, while Beth and Cassie try to escape via the elevator. They grab a shotgun and shoot Ellie, but the deadites morph into a monstrous form resembling the Rat-King from The Last of Us. The elevator fills with blood, drowning Beth and Cassie. They attempt to leave in a car, but the monstrosity stops them. Beth fights back, using a chainsaw and wood chipper to defeat the deadites.
The movie ends with Beth and Cassie heading towards a brighter future and a woman from the opening scene witnessing the aftermath of the carnage in the parking garage. She is attacked by a deadite and heads off to the camping trip seen in the beginning, implying that the possession continues.
Also Read: Evil Dead Rise Filming Locations: Where Is The Horror Movie Filmed?