Skip to main content

Evil Dead Rise (2023)


 

Evil Dead Rise is a fresh take on the Evil Dead formula. Ditching the cabin in the woods setting for a floor on a California apartment that is inescapable.

Written and directed by Lee Cronin, the film lacks building interesting characters. The children, for the most part, are just cookie-cutter stereotypes. This allows the actors to bring what they can to the roles since they can't rely on the writing. In terms of direction, the film isn't scary. It's tense sure, but that isn't why horror fans go to see these films. Studios shouldn't give new franchises to directors who put forth mediocre work like Ghost Train.

Alyssa Sutherland does the best in terms of acting. She totally loses herself in the role. Being able to be maliciously nurturing one second and totally off the wall horrific the next. The makeup department does a great job on her face too, allowing her to still be very expressive but also know that something is wrong with Mommy. Her acting makes me want to go watch, the tv show, Vikings.

The most expressive child I've seen in a while was the youngest daughter played by Nell Fisher. She hasn't really done too much in the past but I'll keep a look out for what she does as she grows up in Hollywood. Let's hope it doesn't eat her alive like other child actors.

Result: it passed the time and wasn't boring, C+. It's okay.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Psycho Killer (2026)

Psycho Killer (2026) is a religious-tinged detective thriller that leans far more into procedural tension than outright horror. Directed by Gavin Polone , who is better known as a producer than a filmmaker, the movie benefits heavily from its screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker , the writer behind Se7en . His fingerprints are all over this. The writing is sharp, layered with foreshadowing that only fully clicks at the end, and structured in a way that constantly feels like it is building toward something inevitable. The gorgeous  Georgina Campbell plays the detective tracking down the titular killer, and she carries the film with confidence. You'll remember her from Barbarian and recently Cold Storage.  The script gives her plenty of emotional range to explore, from controlled professionalism to visible cracks under pressure. She handles the lore-heavy exposition well and grounds what could have been overwhelming backstory. It is another strong showing for her and proof she c...

Cold Storage (2026)

Cold Storage (2026) is a sci fi horror thriller that surprised me in a good way. The writing is solid enough that it actually calmed some of my worries about Disclosure Day coming later this year since the same writer is involved. The story holds together and stays engaging, even when the visuals do not. The CG is laughably bad at times, but the acting/chemistry keeps the movie watchable. Jonny Campbell directs, with the screenplay by David Koepp , known for Jurassic Park and Spider-Man . His writing here is tighter than expected, which is why it gives me more confidence about Disclosure Day. The direction is straightforward and lets the script do most of the work, even if the effects budget clearly limits what can be shown on screen. He needs a redemption after  Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. Joe Keery , known for Stranger Things and Free Guy , is the main reason I showed up. He proves he can handle a leading role after Stranger Things and carries the film with a relax...

Crime 101 (2026)

Crime 101 (2026) is a crime thriller that checks the basic boxes of what should work, but the writing never tightens enough to make it compelling. It hits familiar beats, runs longer than it should, and never quite earns its tension. It feels like a good movie outline stretched into a full runtime. Bart Layton , known for American Animals and The Imposter , directs, and his uneven filmography shows here. The structure is serviceable, but the pacing drags and the scenes lack urgency. The direction is competent without being memorable, and the film never finds a sharp identity. Chris Hemsworth , known for Thor and Extraction , plays the reclusive criminal at the center of the story. He tries to lean into a quieter, more internal performance, but he does not fully sell the damaged foster child mentality the script is aiming for. The performance feels like an attempt rather than a transformation. Mark Ruffalo , recognized for Spotlight and The Avengers , feels like he is on autopilo...