Review: The Evil Dead (1981)

Directed by: Sam Raimi
Written by: Sam Raimi
Starring: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker, Richard DeManincor and Theresa Tilly

When we talk about cult films we tend to conjure images of small yet highly dedicated fanbases and behaviors that indicate a passion that go beyond your usual movie. When I think about cult movies I'm immediately drawn to thinking about certain cinematic traits that may repel a lot of viewers while drawing in small niches simultaneously. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Big Lebowski, Plan 9 From Outer Space, Eraserhead and even The Room have a loyalty attached to them that's admirable in their own right. The Evil Dead and its sequels definitely fit this criteria, and it's hard to imagine every cinephile enjoying it with its grotesque violence and comedic underlyings. It's a unique film, and if it should be praised for anything it's the lessons it provides to would-be filmmakers.

Five college students looking for a fun weekend venture into the Tennessee wilderness to stay at a decrepit cabin. Despite coming across signs of something strange happening in the woods the group pushes ahead with their plans. They come across an ancient book inked in blood and bound in human flesh, and after playing a recorded translation they unleash evils hell bent on destroying them.

There's somewhat of a merger between different horror genres in The Evil Dead. At times the film takes on a menacingly quiet nature, allowing you to really indulge in the feelings of isolation and push the imagination towards understanding what evil entity lurks out in the woods. This atmosphere is reinforced astonishingly well by its low-budget. The lighting is restricted, fog machines are constantly used and the result is something that's charmingly B-grade. On the other hand though the creativity of a young Sam Raimi and his collaborators deliver something gruesome, loud and uncomfortable at the same time. Consistent with the cheapness, the special effects and makeup are simply a delight, not only for pure aesthetics but the sheer gross-out quality.

Admittedly though I don't think The Evil Dead is perfect and some of the factors I'll discuss are improved upon with the sequels. Young Bruce Campbell with his stature as a cult hero some years ahead of him plays a very different Ash Williams from what we now think of. He's not the self-absorbed, wise-cracking hero, but rather very meek and unengaging as a character. In fact, basically all the other characters are written flatly and given some poor dialogue from time to time. In a way they're more worthy as cannon fodder for the demonic slaughter that awaits them rather than people we can truly get behind. While the film definitely has some comedy that throws off our usual expectations, I found this was expanded on to a more desirable extent in the later films.

The Evil Dead is a classic horror film, and its status as a cult film is deserved. Personally though I see it as two things: A blueprint for what Raimi would eventually give us later on, and a piece of inspiration to filmmakers with access only to small budgets. It's a fine example of creativity defeating limitations.

My Rating: 8/10