Gross.

Staying very zeitgeisty, today we’re talking one of the most batshit insane entries in one of the most batshit insane franchises to ever grace the screen (with an incredible fifth entry in theaters as we speak).

Tyler Clark
May 23, 2023

Good morning Consumers. This is Please Consume, the Film newsletter that loves you more than Ben Affleck loves being from Boston.

Evil Dead (2013)

Staying very zeitgeisty, today we’re talking one of the most batshit insane entries in one of the most batshit insane franchises to ever grace the screen (with an incredible fifth entry in theaters as we speak).

Evil Dead (2013) exists in this very specific time period where they were remaking horror franchises that didn’t necessitate remakes but got them anyways. Except this time they were more extreme than ever.

I’m talking Friday the 13th (2009), A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010), and even Scream 4. But unlike those films, 2013’s Evil Dead is highly regarded by critics and fans of the franchise alike!

Balancing Act

Writer/Director Fede Álvarez had a difficult task when making this film as the original is both a brilliant work of horror cinema but is also so iconic within the medium.

So when writing the script, he had to recognize not only what made that first film so good but also what he needed to keep.

One important thing he knew he needed to incorporate was mean demons.

The beauty of that original film is how much the deadites torture Bruce Campbell’s Ash in that film. It’s not just that they are killing his friends, they are also taunting him, relishing in the pain he feels, making it into a game.

Álvarez also knows to include wonderfully disgusting practical effects that make your skin crawl.

He understood that when Raimi and crew were making the original Evil Dead they wanted it to be the most shocking film ever made. So when approaching the horror industry in our desensitized 2013 society, he knew he needed to push the envelope as far as he could.

On the flip side, the two biggest changes he made to the story greatly enhance the film.

First, he added weight to the initial plot of the film. Originally, it’s a bunch of horny college students looking for a good time in the woods. But in this film it’s all about helping their friend get off drugs. Adding that extra layer actually flips the script from a goofy situation gone wrong to a situation trying to be fixed becoming worse.

Second, Álvarez made the supremely wise decision NOT. TO. RECAST. ASH.

You cannot underestimate how important Bruce Campbell is to the Evil Dead franchise. Ash Williams, in addition to being one of the few male protagonists in horror cinema, just so happens to be the most charismatic ones.

To recast him or try to bring in another player to do a similar shtick would be an absolute disservice to Campbell, the fans, and the franchise at large.

Why this slick flick?

Just look at it. It is about as wet as a scene can get. It’s simply nauseating to look at.

The movie used 70,000 gallons of tomato juice looking blood, 50,000 of which was saved for the finale and today's clip.

We will warn you, this is by far the most violent clip we’ve ever shown. If you are squeamish in any way this clip probably isn’t for you. HOWEVER, if you do enjoy comical amounts of blood and have never seen this film, today’s clip is just right for you!

Today’s Scene

Stream It

If you want to watch Evil Dead at home, you can find it here.

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