Evil Dead Wrath: Title and start of filming for the new Evil Dead film
The Necronomicon is opened once again
While "Evil Dead Burn," the latest installment in the legendary horror saga, hits theaters in July, another sequel is already in the works: New Zealand's film and television association, The Screen Guild, has now announced the title and initial details about the start of filming for the new "Evil Dead" movie.
Production of "Evil Dead Wrath" is set to begin this month in Auckland, New Zealand. The cast has also been largely finalized: Charlotte Hope, known from the horror film "The Nun," will take on a leading role, among others. Also on board are "Mortal Kombat" actress Jessica McNamee, as well as Zach Gildford and Josh Helman.
Nothing is known about the specific plot of the film yet. Behind the scenes, everything remains the same for now: Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell will oversee the project as producers. The film will be directed by newcomer Francis Galluppi, who most recently attracted attention with the thriller "The Last Stop in Yuma County." There is no release date yet.
Blood, demons, and dark humor: the best movie recommendations in the style of the Evil Dead series
Since Sam Raimi shook up horror cinema in 1981 with "The Evil Dead," the "Evil Dead" series has been synonymous with unbridled splatter, pitch-black humor, and camera work that literally races through the forest. With sequels such as "Evil Dead 2" and the fantasy adventure "Army of Darkness," the franchise evolved from a low-budget shocker to a cult brand. Those who love this mixture of demons, exaggeration, and tongue-in-cheek madness will also find numerous films outside the series that go in a similar direction.
Cabin horror and uncompromising demons
An obvious place to start is the remake "Evil Dead" by Fede Álvarez. The film interprets the material in a much more serious and brutal way. Instead of slapstick, it relies on an intense atmosphere, drastic effects, and psychological pressure. For fans of the particularly harsh moments of the original series, this film is a must-see.
Drew Goddard's "The Cabin in the Woods" offers an exciting twist on the familiar "cabin in the woods" motif. What initially begins as a classic teen slasher turns out to be a clever deconstruction of the genre with plenty of black humor and surprising twists. The film plays with the audience's expectations while paying tribute to classics such as "Evil Dead."
Splatter excesses with cult status
Those who particularly appreciate the anarchic, over-the-top style of "Evil Dead 2" should check out "Braindead". Peter Jackson's early film is considered one of the bloodiest films of all time. With black humor, grotesque effects, and a legendary lawnmower scene, it offers splatter in its most absurd form. No less cult is "Re-Animator" by Stuart Gordon. Loosely based on a story by H. P. Lovecraft, it combines macabre humor with bloody effects. The film thrives on its offbeat energy and is strongly reminiscent of Raimi's early works in tone and tempo.
Demonic fun from a master
With "Drag Me to Hell", Sam Raimi himself returned to horror and proved that he has not lost his flair for demonic slapstick. The film combines exaggerated shock moments with black humor and deliberately over-the-top staging. Many fans see it as a spiritual successor to the Evil Dead films. More recent productions also pick up on this mixture of blood, pace, and irony. "The Babysitter" by McG is a fast-paced horror comedy that deliberately stages violence in a comic-like manner. The film combines teen comedy with bloody effects and thrives on its self-deprecating tone.
Panos Cosmatos' "Mandy" is much more stylized. With hypnotic images, the film tells a dark revenge story full of occult motifs. Even though the humor takes a back seat here, the uncompromising intensity is likely to appeal especially to fans of the harder "Evil Dead" moments.
New series for die-hard fans
Those who can't get enough of demonic madness should check out the series "Ash vs Evil Dead." In it, Bruce Campbell returns as the chainsaw-wielding cult hero. The series combines splatter, slapstick, and nostalgia into a bloody delight that successfully translates the spirit of the original films into a series format.
Whether uncompromisingly brutal, delightfully absurd, or stylistically experimental, films in the style of "Evil Dead" thrive on the courage to exaggerate and a large dose of irreverence toward genre boundaries. It is precisely this mixture that makes them an integral part of horror culture to this day.