Movies
‘Evil Dead Rise’: A Timeline of The Film 30 Years in The Making
It’s time for the Evil Dead to rise once more, as the return of the Necronomicon promises a brutal, bloody show.
We’ve been excited to see this movie since it was first announced. Quite understandably so, as it’s poised to be one of the best horror movies of 2023 (which is saying something when you consider all of the scary movies on the horizon this year). The Evil Dead Rise trailer only confirmed what we’d suspected; this movie looks incredible.
Need a primer on all things Evil Dead? Then head over to our Deadites 101 article here!
It premiered at SXSW on March 15th to stellar acclaim from critics everywhere. Amidst all the appreciation and accolades, it’s necessary to revisit the hoops and bounds this film traversed to become possible.
Evil Dead IV
Fans had been pining for more Evil Dead content since Army of Darkness in 1992. Since it was not a box office success, Sam Raimi had difficulty procuring funding to make a sequel. The problem in creating a sequel was heightened by the fact that the director ran into a legal battle with Universal Studios over the rights to the film.
Into the millennium, Freddy vs. Jason fans may remember the rumors circulating that a sequel was planned; this time, it would be Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash. Though there was a comic book series with this name, the movie seemed destined never to happen.
It was unfortunate because, due to the insistence of Jason Goes to Hell director Adam Marcus, Jason Voorhees is a Deadite. Therefore, bringing Ash into the equation makes sense if you take the Deadite sideline as canon (I don’t, for the record, but our Editor-In-Chief does, so that’s all a discussion for perhaps another day.)
In 2009, news broke of a potential Evil Dead IV directed by Sam Raimi, co-written by brothers Ivan and Sam Raimi. Though this film seemingly disappeared into the ether, horror fans shouldn’t give up hope for a Sam Raimi-directed Evil Dead film, as Bruce Campbell recently went on record with Fangoria to say that if Sam Raimi directs another Evil Dead movie, he’ll come back as Ash. Though he has not indicated this will happen, Fangoria shared that Sam Raimi is interested in directing another horror movie. Maybe Sam Raimi will find this commitment inspirational? Fingers crossed.
In 2013, we finally received a new Evil Dead film. The Evil Dead requel, directed by Fede Alvarez, was a creepy watch, though its re-imaginative nature deemed it not considered Evil Dead canon. He was set to reprise the directorial seat for Evil Dead 2 but instead chose to direct Don’t Breathe. Thus, the film was relocated to the void until further notice. It began to crawl back out again with the premiere of a horror series and the return of Bruce Campbell.
Ash vs. Evil Dead
In 2015, Deadites everywhere, who knew, rejoiced as Ash vs. Evil Dead aired as a Starz Original series. It has an astounding 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and was beloved by fans of the franchise. However, creators sensed the end was coming prematurely, as Bruce Campbell said in an interview with Collider, “We knew the ratings were bad after the end of the second season. We just knew it. No one knew what Starz was.” After the third season, it was canceled.
An interview with the actor two years later would be much more positive.
The Evil Dead Sequel Confirmed
A 2020 interview with Empire would have Bruce Campbell reveal that a new Evil Dead movie was rising. He shared that Lee Cronin would be taking over as director, and Bruce Campbell would not be appearing in it, though he would be working behind the scenes in production. (Since the film’s release, Lee Cronin has said that there is a glimpse of Bruce Campbell in Evil Dead Rise and that he’ll give fifty dollars to the first person to spot him.)
By the Spring of 2021, Evil Dead Rise was announced as a straight-to-streaming release by HBO Max.
Evil Dead Rise on HBO Max
The hype grew over the following year, with a promo poster circulating online. However, as the summer of 2022 neared its end, anxiety over whether the film would be released grew. The release date had yet to be confirmed, and HBO Max had abruptly canceled other Warner Bros collaborations, Batgirl and Scoob!: Holiday Haunt despite production being almost complete.
There was additional worry surrounding the film’s fate, as there were rumors that the film would release theatrically after test screenings went remarkably well. It was debatable how executives at HBO Max may feel if they lost the right to premiere the movie exclusively.
Lee Cronin tweeted for horror fans to “Keep the faith,” while other horror fans came through with the plan if it did end up slain along with the other productions.
Finally, at the end of August 2022, the much-awaited news was announced—Evil Dead Rise releases on April 21st, but in theaters instead of on streaming.
What to Expect from Evil Dead Rise
A decade after the last Evil Dead film was released, Evil Dead Rise is finally here. Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell worked as executive producers, with Robert Tapert producing; the original trio worked together to make the first three Evil Dead films possible. Digital effects were used sparingly; even the wall-crawling scenes are the real deal. Evil Dead is back.
Lee Cronin shared in a SlashFilm interview that he used 6500 liters of blood (or approximately 1,717 gallons) to make Evil Dead Rise. For comparison, Stanley Kubrick used about 300 gallons of blood to make the elevator blood waterfall scene in The Shining. In fact, the film used so much blood that they had to utilize an industrial kitchen to make it all.
Evil Dead Rise stars Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, and Gabrielle Echols. One significant difference between this release and the many appearances of Evil Dead that have preceded it is the incorporation of children as main characters into the franchise.
Following a single mother’s exposure to the evil book during a reunion with her sister in her high-rise New York City apartment building, a prominent cast member (Nell Fisher) is only ten years old- a first for an Evil Dead movie.
In an interview with Fangoria, Bruce Campbell said: “We wanted to show audiences the next generation of Evil Dead, which is way more horrifying now. I mean, the shit that you can do and the tricks that you can play now? This audience is doomed!”
With outstanding reviews, Evil Dead Rise looks to rank high amongst top contenders for the best horror movie of 2023. I doubt we will need to wait another decade for another installment in the franchise after the success of this film’s debut.
Watch Evil Dead Rise yourself in theaters on April 21st, 2023! Expect it to release to HBO Max sometime later.
Movies
This Queer 2015 Slasher Desperately Deserves A Cult Following
Dive into “You’re Killing Me,” a 2015 queer horror slasher that’s equal parts romance, comedy, and bloody thrills. Follow Joe, a budding serial killer, as he navigates love and West Hollywood’s apathetic social scene in this vibrant, satirical coming-out allegory. A must-watch for queer horror fans!
This Pride Month on Horror Press, one of our main missions is to spread the word about queer horror movies that have actually, explicitly queer characters. Throw your queer theory textbook out the window today and put away those notes about the subtext of Fright Night. Today we’re diving deep into an example of one of my favorite movie genres (slasher) that features one of my favorite human genres (queer people). That’s right, we’re here to talk about 2015’s You’re Killing Me, a movie that celebrates the 10th anniversary of its OutFest premiere in July and desperately needs to have developed a proper cult following by the 20th anniversary, if there is any justice in the universe. Or the 15th anniversary. Or hell, the 11th.
The Queer Classic That Is You’re Killing Me
In brief, You’re Killing Me is a romantic comedy about social misfit Joe (Matthew McKelligon) meeting George (Jeffery Self). The pair fall in love and Joe insinuates himself with George’s West Hollywood friend group, including George’s co-star in his online videos, Barnes (Bryan Safi). It’s all very sweet, except for one wrinkle. Joe is a budding serial killer, and every time he talks about coming into his own as a murderer, his new boyfriend – who is too busy thinking about his favorite subject, himself – just assumes that he’s kidding.
Not only is You’re Killing Me a movie jam-packed with queer characters, it tells an entirely unique queer story through the allegory of Joe’s murders. Its true intentions may be hidden behind rivulets of blood, but it’s a coming-out story, too. It’s a rather unique “hero killer” story (to steal a phrase referring to movies that have their killer as the protagonist from Brian Collins, who may – in all fairness – have stolen it from somebody else). While the story does have a strong dash of Dexter to it, it’s got a much more focused coming-out metaphor, about trying to self-actualize and live one’s truth while surrounded by people who aren’t pushing back but rather could not give a shit about anything beyond the surface level of a person or a situation.
A Slasher With Heart
While the movie clearly has a lot of affection for the characters that it is lovingly satirizing, it harshly critiques their inability to connect with Joe properly, and their punishment for not listening to him is an increasingly deadly rampage. Joe mistakes their lack of processing as actual encouragement, and his self-actualization is allowed to spin wildly down a destructive path. However, by making the scenes where Joe commits his murders more lush, colorful, and beautiful than everything else, the movie hints that the character is much more alive than the dead-eyed WeHo-ites who surround him, by dint of actually living his truth.
While I’m not saying the movie justifies murder, per se, it definitely calls out the evil inherent to apathy, and that’s another way that it is much more queer and textured and interesting than the average slasher movie. So why isn’t it a cult classic just yet? You tell me! It just boils the blood. But I’m trying to build said cult here, so allow me to continue my pitch.
The Queer People Behind You’re Killing Me
As much as there is ample queerness to be seen in You’re Killing Me, there is just as much offscreen. Just like the West Hollywood culture the movie heavily satirizes, this group of gay people has a strong tendency to trend white, cis, and male (though longtime ally and LGBTQ+ advocate Mindy Cohn is also floating around the cast!), which, sure, could be a knock against it, but let’s take a quick journey through who we have here!
Director/Co-Writer/Producer Jim Hansen
Jim Hansen (not to be confused with the muppet pioneer of almost the same name) is primarily known for his work in the costume department of various major projects, including being the costume designer for Another Gay Movie and a costumer for Bring It On, Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2, and Wizards of Waverly Place.
He is also the co-creator of The Chloe Videos, which feature Drew Droege (who also appears in You’re Killing Me) in drag as Chloë Sevigny. Currently, You’re Killing Me is his final directorial feature, because the moral arc of the universe does not bend toward justice. However, his career is still ongoing, and more recently he has been the costume supervisor for shows like One Day at a Time, Bunk’d, and Happy’s Place.
Co-Writer/Star/Producer Jeffery Self
Comedian, actor, and writer Jeffery Self is best known to me as Liz’s gay cousin from 30 Rock, but he has a wide range of credits under his belt. Star of Search Party, author of the young adult novel A Very Very Bad Thing, host of the MTV aftershow Scream: After Dark, writer of salacious Fire Island recaps where he details the fact that he used to date one of the stars… this man has done it all. He’s also currently in theaters playing a supporting role in Christopher Landon’s Drop!
Notably, his Self-insert character (so to speak), George, is perhaps the most wicked person in this movie about a serial killer. This speaks to a willingness to make oneself the butt of the joke that is refreshing in screenwriters providing parts for themselves.
Star Matthew McKelligon
McKelligon is a mainstay of YouTube web series turned Logo TV web series turned Netflix series EastSiders, which was created by Kit Williamson and co-starred Constance Wu!
Star Bryan Safi
Actor and general man-about-town Bryan Safi played a major role in You season 3, but he is perhaps best known as the co-host (with Erin Gibson) of the LGBTQ+/women’s news comedy podcast Attitudes! (formerly Throwing Shade).
Supporting Cast
In addition to Drew Droege, of course, You’re Killing Me also features notable queer supporting players including Matthew Wilkas (star of Gayby and thus former onscreen love interest for Adam Driver, as well as being a former real-life love interest for gay Olympian Gus Kenworthy), Jack Plotnick (who has lived the gay dream, starring in both Gods and Monsters and Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and Sam Pancake (gay character actor extraordinaire who you’ve seen everywhere from Friends to Arrested Development to Search Party to Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde).
Shudder is coming in hot this summer, and I love to see it. The streamer adds some James Wan flicks to the mix with Insidious and Dead Silence. They are also collecting new movies from festivals and theaters like Infinity Stones. There are a ton of moving parts between the shows landing, all of the vampire cinema, and plenty of space movies, etc.
What’s a girl with a short attention span to do aside from cancel her plans, and take her Shudder Saturdays even more seriously? There are too many options on this app right now.
This is my favorite kind of stress, so I am living.
Now allow me to tell you what new additions to the app might become my new personality this month.
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
The Loved Ones (2009)
A high school boy turns down a classmate’s invitation to prom, but she refuses to take no for an answer. I love The Loved Ones and am happy it hits Shudder in time for prom season. Lola (Robin McLeavy) is a menace in a pink gown, and I wish we had more villains like her. The movie is also coming out right in time as the filmmaker Sean Byrne has a new project coming out on June 6th called Dangerous Animals. So, if you are unfamiliar with his work, The Loved Ones is a hell of an introduction.
You can watch The Loved Ones on June 1st.
Sputnik (2020)
The lone survivor of a spaceship incident discovers they have brought something home with them. I have never seen this sci-fi monster horror moment. However, I know it is under the IFC Midnight banner, and I will make time for each weird party they want to throw my way. So, I am excited to see this when it hits Shudder this June. I also secretly hope it pairs well with Ash because we love a double feature. However, I will be tuning in for this either way, as it sounds like my kind of party.
You can watch Sputnik on June 9th.
Best Wishes to All (2024)
A young woman visiting her grandparents discovers the sinister secret to their happiness. Filmmaker Yûta Shimotsu has entered the chat with one of the most bizarre movies I have seen this year. This Shudder Original is a dark and funny J-Horror that asks many valid questions as it refuses to take any predictable roads to the conclusion. It’s a creepy, witty, unique little gem and the kind of movie that is the reason I continue to happily give Shudder my money every month.
You can watch Best Wishes to All on June 13th.
Hell Motel (2025)
True crime obsessives are invited to the opening of a motel that was the site of a grisly Satanic Mass Murder over 30 years ago. I really loved the last three seasons of Slasher. So, I cleared my calendar when I saw the duo behind that bloody affair, Aaron Martin and Ian Carpenter, had turned their wigs around and re-entered stage right.
I am also giddy because they are bringing so many familiar faces along for this new deadly ride. Faces that include Emmy® Award-winner Eric McCormack, who joined the ensemble cast for the last season of Slasher.
Brace yourselves because I will be the most obnoxious person on Twitter when this new horror anthology lands. I expect a lot from this Shudder Original and cannot wait to inject it directly into my eyeballs.
You can watch Hell Motel on June 17th.
Ash (2025)
Riya (Eiza González) wakes up on a mysterious planet to find her crew slaughtered. A man, Brion (Aaron Paul), arrives to rescue her, but their quest for answers leads to unimaginable terrors. This Shudder Exclusive is directed by Flying Lotus and just wrapped its theatrical run. I watched Ash months ago at SXSW and am so glad it’s hitting the streaming streets sooner rather than later.
If you want to see a badass lead in a twisty sci-fi tale, this should be on your agenda this June.
You can watch Ash starting June 20th.
May these selections bring you nightmares and anxiety as they leave you shaking and remind you exactly why you are a proud Shudder subscriber. I do not know how they do it every month, but I am a grateful little horror weirdo. Hopefully, you will also find new (or new to you) stuff to enjoy in your air conditioning this month.
Happy Summer, horror fiends!
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