Evil Dead (2013)

Just got back from it and I have to pretty much agree with Vivi22. I've seen a ridiculous amount of horror flicks. I pretty much just laugh at gore any more, but this movie really just went there. I was actually squirming and forcing myself not to look away and I honestly cannot remember the last time I saw a movie that did that.

My wife and I were discussing what made it so different than other stuff and I think it's the fact that it's not full of quick cuts. If something gory is happening, the camera isn't slipping away and only giving you a tiny glimpse. It's all up in the business of the gruesome action.

There were several times that what's going to happen is telegraphed heavily and you find yourself saying, "Oh god.. I don't want to see it when they finally reveal it. I can't look."


Outside of the gore, I think they actually did a great job on plot. They didn't just try to remake the original. While I'm sure some people are wondering "who will they get to play Ash?"... they just don't go there because you can't recreate what Ash was. That said, they do a decent amount of fan service and there are certainly some wink-and-nod moments for those who enjoyed stuff from the original trilogy, but they don't just try to remake it like so many other crappy rehashes of late.

It's just better written than the original in my opinion. They find clever ways of making thing work. I'm not giving much away to say that part of the conceit of them being in the cabin at all is to try to force one of the characters into a cold turkey detox from drugs. This works great as a plot device since the characters don't realize that something else is going on and just assume it's withdrawal symptoms.

The movie also takes some unexpected turns even for those who are expecting the unexpected. There was spots where I was expecting certain twists to the point that I was really questioning what was going on toward the end.

It was very satisfying and easily the most gruesome thing I've seen in longer than I can remember. If anyone can recommend something that trumps this in squeamish gore, please let me know... I'd like to see it. I've seen "A Serbian Film" and both "Human Centipede" movies, and while they might be more psychologically horrifying, neither of them touched this for me in the pure unsettling gore department and feel like those are probably the highest contenders for over-the-top gore.