Synopsis: In the much anticipated remake of the 1981 cult-hit horror film, five twenty-something friends become holed up in a remote cabin. When they discover a Book of the Dead, they unwittingly summon up dormant demons living in the nearby woods, which possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left intact to fight for survival.
The 2013 version of Evil Dead faced a LOT of hate when it was initially announced – and not without reason. The original 1981 film from Sam Raimi (Spider-Man Trilogy) has been a cult-classic for the 30+ years since its release – as has the film’s star, the iconic Bruce Campbell.
When the new Evil Dead came to NYCC 2012, it faced a room full of hardcore skeptics but managed to turn the tide through a combination of gruesome footage and the overpowering charisma of Bruce Campbell; that footage was later premiered in the Evil Dead teaser trailer, and support for the remake has been building ever since. This latest red-band trailer attempts to continue the positive buzz, by drowning viewers in the full depth of horror and gore Evil Dead fans want.
So it’s not surprising that horror and gore are exactly what we get. It’s hard for me to enjoy every moment of that trailer with my eyes open – but I saw enough to notice the many Easter-eggs that connect this new version with Raimi’s original. From the severed limbs to the iconic book of the dead (Necronomicon) to that sexually aggressive tree and familiar swooping woodland camera shots, it seems that many of what people liked about the original film will be at least acknowledged.
