Horror hounds have finally gotten the long-anticipated full trailer for “Evil Dead Rise.” This will be the fifth film in the Sam Raimi-created “Evil Dead” universe. It is written and directed by Lee Cronin (“The Hole in the Ground”) with Robert G. Tapert producing. Tapert has produced on all of the previous “Evil Dead” installments. Which include 1981’s “The Evil Dead,” 1987’s “Evil Dead II,” 1992’s “Army of Darkness,” 2013’s Fede Álvarez-directed “Evil Dead” reboot, and the “Ash vs The Evil Dead” series which ran for 3 seasons.
Raimi and Ash Williams himself, Bruce Campbell, are also producers on the new film. While heavily involved with the project Campbell has insisted he will NOT be reprising the beloved character for “Evil Dead Rise.” Mainly since the point is to take the series in a new direction with news settings, characters, and storylines. As much as the fans love Ash, his presence would hinder that mission.
“I’ve seen the movie in all of its glory and in case you’re wondering, yes it is amazing… and yes, it is the scariest one yet,” Campbell said, in support of the project.
The new entry will stray from the standard cabin in the woods horror trope and its reliance on Williams as the consummate hero. Instead, it follows the road-weary Beth (Lily Sullivan) as she pays a visit to her older sister Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland). Ellie is raising 3 children ins a cramped L.A. apartment, moving the setting to the heart of the big city.
The sisters’ reunion is cut short by the discovery of a mysterious book deep in the bowels of Ellie’s building. The book unsurprisingly gives rise to flesh-possessing demons and thrusts Beth into a primal battle for survival. As she has to contend with the most nightmarish version of motherhood imaginable when Ellie falls victim to the Deadites.
In addition to Sullivan and Sutherland the cast includes Gabrielle Echols (“Reminiscence”), Morgan Davies (“The End”), Nell Fisher (“Splendid Isolation”), Jayden Daniels (“My Life Is Murder”), Billy Reynolds-McCarthy (“Shortland Street”), and newcomer Tai Wano.
“Evil Dead Rise” will hit theaters on April 21, 2023. Check out the blood-soaked trailer and eerie new poster art below:
