Review of The Evil Dead (1981) by Allen G — 22 Apr 2016

Honestly, despite its reputation I didn't expect much from this one. I'm certainly a horror fan but this surely looked like a clear-cut case of a film aging badly. What I'd overlooked, however, was the self-awareness and comedy chops on display and that's ultimately what won me over here.

It's a stupid film but I mean that as a compliment. Sometimes I don't want to think because I'd rather just watch viscera fly everywhere. It's a crude, low-budget, splatter-fest that offers some occasional chills but none of this sounds particularly impressive.

However, Raimi gave it some gusto and does the absolute best with what he has here, offering up something deserving of its cult status. It's full of imaginative shots and ideas and it's so theatrical and willing to not be taken seriously that, by golly, you end up taking it seriously. Maybe that's what the horror genre is all about- being convinced to believe ridiculous things and maybe getting a little creeped out in the process. It rarely seems to work but, 'Evil Dead' is an exception.

A terrific example of old-school film-making and, to my surprise, it has aged pretty damn well.