Starring: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, Nell Fisher

Directed by Lee Cronin

Warner Bros., out now

 

A twisted tale of estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.

Lee Cronin’s new instalment of The Evil Dead franchise may be a sequel to Sam Raimi’s trilogy, or even a sequel to Fede Alvarez’ 2013 reboot/remake. In truth, it doesn’t matter, and you can watch this movie with zero knowledge of what has gone before. The most important thing to know is that it is inventive, extreme, and fully earns its 18 Certificate.

The twist here is that while previous entries were set in the isolation of a cabin the woods, this is one is primarily based in the city. But the Book of the Dead isn’t put off by a modern housing block, instead finding new ways to wreak its insidious evil against a young family.

Raimi’s 1981 classic The Evil Dead was a terrifying film, but the franchise lost its bite with the sequels and TV series, trading horror for laughs. Make no mistake that Evil Dead Rises is a throwback to that original – a relentless, gory rollercoaster ride that never lets up. This isn’t the comedy gore of Renfield – it’s visceral and unsettling and will probably be a bit too much for some tastes.

There’s a commendable ingenuity to the set pieces, and even when there’s a throwback to a previous instalment – either visual or dialogue – it doesn’t feel forced.

Verdict: As brutal as mainstream horror gets, this is most definitely for adults only, and even then, it’s recommended with caution. If you can handle it, get ready for mayhem, and blood. So much blood. 9/10

Nick Joy