Nightmare Fuel, Evil Dead Rise (2023) | Review

A reunion between two estranged sisters gets cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.

Evil Dead Rise (2023) is the fifth feature in the Evil Dead instalment and I can honestly say, it stands tall above its predecessors. Of course, the original 1981 Evil Dead movie is a classic piece of horror cinema but the newest edition to the franchise is terrifyingly engaging and enthralling.

A high anxiety inducing movie, full of gore and guts. From the beginning to end I was on the edge of my seat, waiting eagerly to see how this story could possibly end. I thoroughly enjoyed the opening and closing scenes of this feature, it embodies the essence of the evil dead franchise whilst twisting the narrative. Everything was neatly wrapped in a bow and I cannot wait to see if we'll get a sixth instalment soon.

The cast all delivered unbelievable performances but most notably Alyssa Sutherland in the role of Ellie, we barely get a glimpse of Ellie's capabilities as a mother before she is catapulted into the world of the undead. Sutherland is truly horrifying, her facial expressions, her voice, her acting skills as a whole were some of the best horror acting I had ever seen. She carries this film in its entirety and I still cannot get her face out of my memory.

Overall, Evil Dead Rise (2023) was a surprise, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this feature as much as I did. I was captivated by the story and truly couldn't look away! It was gory, it was gross but most of all it was actually entertaining. Cannot recommend this one enough for any horror fans this October.