New Streaming Home for Evil Dead Rise
The latest entry in the Evil Dead horror franchise, Evil Dead Rise, has found a new streaming home. Starting September 1, the 2023 film will be added to Hulu’s library, joining other horror titles such as Devil’s Due and Jennifer’s Body. This addition is part of Hulu’s broader strategy to expand its collection of horror films, offering fans more options to explore the genre.
Plot Overview
In Evil Dead Rise, Beth visits her sister Ellie, who lives in downtown Los Angeles with her three children—Danny, Bridget, and Kassie. During an earthquake that hits the city, the children discover a hidden chamber beneath a cracked parking lot. The space appears to be an abandoned site for religious research, and Danny finds an old record. When he plays it upon returning to the surface, the record accidentally summons the ever-iconic Deadites.
According to the Rotten Tomatoes synopsis, the fifth Evil Dead film follows a road-weary Beth as she pays an overdue visit to her older sister Ellie, who is raising three kids on her own in a cramped L.A. apartment. Their reunion is cut short when they discover a mysterious book deep in the bowels of Ellie's building, leading to the emergence of flesh-possessing demons. Beth is thrust into a primal battle for survival, facing the most nightmarish version of motherhood imaginable.
Critical and Commercial Success
Evil Dead Rise was met with positive reception from both audiences and critics. The film grossed a total of $147 million against its $19 million production budget, making it a commercial success. This performance convinced producers to greenlight another sequel in the Evil Dead universe.
Upcoming Sequel
Evil Dead Burn, directed by Sébastien Vaniček, is currently in production and slated for a July 2026 release. For now, the film is expected to have a theatrical release. The upcoming sequel continues the legacy of the franchise, building on the foundation laid by Evil Dead Rise.
Critical Reception
Despite being a gory horror film, which typically does not perform well with critics, Evil Dead Rise received high praise. It holds an 85% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a Certified Fresh label. While the audience score sits lower at 76%, the film still managed to capture the attention of many viewers.
A New Take on the Franchise
After what seems like an introduction that might trick viewers into thinking this is just another Evil Dead movie, the real Evil Dead Rise begins. Writer/director Lee Cronin confidently presents a different approach, tweaking the rules of a franchise that has been around for five decades. Although Sam Raimi technically twisted things around first in Army of Darkness (the third film in the franchise), there's a new player in town.
Cronin could have failed by taking the plot out of the remote cabin and setting the film in the city, but he successfully adapted the Evil Dead concept to a whole new environment. While he follows the formula afterward, he also uses the opportunity to push the boundaries. The possession theme is present, but putting a possessed mother against her children is a completely new move. Those familiar with previous films in the series know that Deadites aren't exactly merciful, and Evil Ellie wants nothing but to make her children suffer. Her wicked smile might make some viewers deeply unsettled.
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