When Kris, Binx, and Sean settled in to watch the newest installment in the Evil Dead franchise, they expected a wild ride of intense gore and violence - but they could never have guessed the unexpected horror that awaited them as the credits rolled. With its masterful storytelling, effective jump scares, and emotionally harrowing consequences, Evil Dead Rise twisted their expectations and left them in awe.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
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Discover a fresh take on the Evil Dead franchise with empowering strong female leads.
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Dive into the unique theme of motherhood explored in a horror context.
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Marvel at exceptional performances, such as Alyssa Sutherland's terrifying Deadite portrayal.
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Witness the marriage of homage to original films and innovative techniques in cinematography and sound design.
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Understand the importance of character development and empathy for engaging audiences through emotional investment.
Emotional Consequences
The Evil Dead Rise film stands out for the emotional consequences and ramifications that are explored throughout its narrative. The horror genre is known for its exploration of such elements, as it enables viewers to be deeply invested in the characters and the story's outcome. By focusing on emotional depth, using a perfect balance of character development and nitty-gritty scenes, the movie has successfully hooked audiences into experiencing the pain and struggles of the characters. Guests Kris, Binx, and Sean noted how they appreciated the exploration of emotional consequences in the film, stating that they found this aspect more frightening than jump scares or gore. They also discussed the importance of empathy and investment in characters, which ultimately led to a heightened level of care about survival and the outcome. By focusing on these aspects, the movie effectively managed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.
Originality and Freshness
Evil Dead Rise brings a breath of fresh air to the franchise, with its original approach and strong female leads. This new take on the classic tale incorporates motherhood themes, allowing for a unique and engaging storyline. The film's fresh approach is evident not only in the story but also in the execution, such as character development, cinematography, and sound design. The guests appreciated the movie's divergence from past installments in the franchise, with Kris and Sean praising the film's focus on a new generation of characters in Beth and Ellie. They also discussed the incorporation of familiar horror tropes and themes, such as motherhood, into the film while still keeping it unique and interesting. In doing so, the movie has successfully managed to cater to both die-hard fans of the franchise and new viewers alike.
Discussion on Danny's Character
Danny, a central character in Evil Dead Rise, has been the subject of much debate among viewers. Some feel sympathy for his actions and intentions, while others think he made foolish decisions. This duality in Danny's character adds depth to the narrative and enriches the story. During the conversation, the guests delved into their opinions on Danny's character, with some expressing empathy for his attempts to help his family. Others, however, demanded more accountability for his actions, which resulted in disastrous consequences. This debate demonstrated how Evil Dead Rise effectively sparked thought-provoking discussions around its characters and themes, further solidifying its value as a noteworthy addition to the franchise.
Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:15 - Introduction,
The podcast is dedicated to horror movie reviews and the hosts provide the rating on whether the movie is a hack or a slash. The hosts share their perspectives on the movies and flavors of fear they fancy the most.
00:01:39 - Evil Dead Rise Overview,
The hosts discuss Evil Dead Rise, the newest installment in the Evil Dead franchise that explores the ultimate nightmare scenario of being trapped with your own flesh and blood as you fight against demonic possession. They share their expectations going into the movie.
00:06:09 - Surprises & Easter Eggs,
The hosts discuss how the movie has evolved from the original and share their surprise in the tolerable gore and the speed at which things got going while balancing character development. They also discuss the nods and Easter eggs to other films, including other movies in the Evil Dead franchise.
00:10:59 - Emotional Consequences,
The hosts discuss the emotional consequences and ramifications of the characters' actions, which made the movie particularly frightening for them. They also touch on the cinematography, Alyssa Sutherland's performance, and the subtext throughout the film.
00:12:59 - Harkening Back,
The hosts discuss the feel and energy of other horror movies, as well as the moments that harken back to other films like Jaws, Carrie, and Jennifer's Body. They also touch on the subtext and references to other movies in the Evil Dead franchise.
00:13:45 - Originality and Freshness,
The hosts agree that Evil Dead Rise has an original take on the classic tale, and that it feels fresh and women-led. However, they also note that the focus on motherhood is a common motif in the horror genre.
00:15:59 - Landing the Ending,
The hosts discuss the ending of the film, and agree that it was creative, unexpected, and satisfying. They appreciate the nods to other horror films and the use of a frame story.
00:18:17 - Slash It!,
The hosts give their ratings, and all of them are enthusiastic about the film. They appreciate the balance between seriousness and campiness, the nods to the original films, and the female focus of the story. They also note the brutal gore and creative kills.
00:23:06 - Top Kills,
The hosts discuss their favorite kills in the film, with Mack appreciating the neighbors scene and Ryan enjoying the silly death of Jake from a random object in his mouth. They also mention Ellie's possession in the elevator as a standout moment.
00:27:44 - Opening Sequence and Bridget's Possession,
The hosts discuss the opening sequence and how it ties into the rest of the story. They also talk about the intense scene of Bridget's possession and the reference to Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
00:29:12 - Cheese Grating Scene,
The hosts discuss the cringe-worthy scene of the cheese grating and how they expected it to be even worse. They also talk about the practicality of the scene and how it fits into the overall tone of the film.
00:33:07 - Combined Deadites and References,
The hosts talk about the combined deadites forming the Rat King and how it resembles The Thing. They also discuss the many references to other horror movies, such as The Shining.
00:36:05 - Cinematography,
The hosts praise the cinematography of the film and how it pays homage to Sam Raimi while also evolving the franchise. They discuss the use of different camera techniques and the beautiful visuals throughout the movie.
00:39:46 - Lighting and Depth,
The hosts talk about the collaboration of different departments and how it resulted in stunning scenes, such as the bloody elevator nod to The Shining. They also discuss a specific moment in the hallway where the lighting and depth create an eerie effect.
00:41:14 - Alyssa kills it,
Binx, praises Alyssa's acting skills, specifically in a scene where she exits a bathroom with a sinister smile, praising the way she walked out in a ballerina-like way.
00:42:27 - The Power of the Opening Scene,
The hosts and guest discuss the opening scene's impact on setting the tone for the movie, with the sudden sitting up of Jessica and the brutality of the scalping.
00:44:03 - The Chilling Hallway Scene,
The hosts and guest talk about the tension and terror in the scene where Ellie manipulates Kassie to let her in, and how the trauma affects Kassie.
00:48:27 - Discussion on Danny's Character,
The group discusses Danny's curiosity, how he stole the book to sell it, and how they felt about his character's development, including his emotional apology to Cassie before dying.
00:53:38 - Bridget, the Smartest One,
The hosts and guest praise Bridget's character as the smartest one of the children, her attempts to keep it together for everyone, and her activism posters.
00:55:12 - Possible Plot Twists,
The hosts discuss the possibility of the franchise introducing a baby plot twist and how it has been done in other horror movies. They also talk about the portrayal of motherhood in the film, particularly with Beth's character and the contrast between her and her sister's approach to it.
00:58:14 - Emotional Impact of the Film,
The hosts share their personal connections to the film, particularly in relation to the portrayal of sisterhood and the loss of a sibling. They also discuss Ellie's performance as a Deadite and how it stands out in the franchise.
01:00:28 - Best Deadite in the Franchise,
The hosts rave about Ellie's performance as a Deadite and how it surpasses all previous portrayals of the character in the franchise. They also mention Bruce Campbell's cameo as the voice of the priest on a vinyl record.
01:03:39 - Worst Parts,
The hosts talk about the sound editing of the film and how it was particularly loud and intense in Dolby. They also mention the emotional impact of seeing a child running for his life in the film.
01:06:20 - Final Thoughts,
The hosts give their overall thoughts on the film and how it takes the franchise in a darker direction. They also give it a universal slash rating and invite listeners to join the conversation on their Discord and become patrons of the show.
