---
title: "Evil Dead Rise"
year: 2023
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/evil-dead-rise"
fi1m_id: "evil-dead-rise"
imdb_id: "tt13345606"
tmdb_id: 713704
wikidata_id: "Q107203508"
fi1m_score: 72
critics_score: 76
critics_reviews: 15
published: "2026-09-10"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:08.615185+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Directed by Lee Cronin · 1h 36m · MPA R · Horror, Thriller

## Identity

Evil Dead Rise

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/evil-dead-rise
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** evil-dead-rise
- **IMDb ID:** tt13345606
- **TMDB ID:** 713704
- **Wikidata ID:** Q107203508
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13345606/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/713704, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107203508

**Fi1m score: 72** · Critics 76 from 15 reviews

*In a sentence:* Never let a teenager play a record he found in a hole in the car park

> Lee Cronin moves the series into a condemned Los Angeles block of flats and gets a fierce performance from Alyssa Sutherland as a mother who comes back wrong. It is lean, loud and horribly efficient, and rather less fun than it thinks.

## Synopsis

Beth (Lily Sullivan), a guitar technician just off a tour, turns up unannounced at the Los Angeles flat of her sister Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland), a tattoo artist raising three children on her own in a building that has been condemned and is emptying out. The children are Danny (Morgan Davies), Bridget (Gabrielle Echols) and Kassie (Nell Fisher). That night an earthquake cracks open the car park beneath the block, and Danny finds a vault containing a bound book and a set of old records. He plays one. Whatever he wakes takes Ellie first. Lee Cronin writes and directs, the first film in the *Evil Dead* series since Fede Álvarez’s 2013 entry, and it runs 96 minutes.

## Review

Sam Raimi’s *Evil Dead* films kept their horrors in a cabin in the woods, and the woods did half the work. Lee Cronin, writing and directing, moves the book into a city. Beth (Lily Sullivan), a guitar technician, turns up at the Los Angeles flat of her sister Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland), a tattoo artist raising three children in a building that has been condemned and is emptying out floor by floor. That night an earthquake opens the car park, Danny (Morgan Davies) finds a vault with a book and some old records in it, and he does what teenagers in these films do. *Evil Dead Rise* is lean, loud and frightening in bursts, and it is a good deal less alive than the films it descends from. If horror is your evening, it will do the job.

Sutherland is the reason to watch. Ellie comes back wrong before the first act is out, and Cronin has the sense to keep her mostly on the other side of a door, talking to her children in a voice that is nearly her own. Sutherland plays the possessed woman as a mother who remembers all the words and none of the feeling: the head tilts, the smile arrives a beat late, the lullaby is in tune. It is a physical performance done under a great deal of make-up, and she never lets the make-up do the acting for her. Sullivan, as Beth, is capable and dry and has less to work with; the script gives her a piece of news of her own in the first scene and then forgets about it for an hour.

The building is well chosen and well built. Nick Bassett’s production design gives it water-stained corridors, a lift with a cage door that takes an age to close, and a car park that looks like a grave before the ground has even opened. Dave Garbett shoots the corridor from inside the flat, through the peephole, so the lens bends the walls and whoever is walking towards the door seems to be coming from a long way off. That shot frightened us properly, and it did so with a woman walking slowly and nothing else. Bryan Shaw cuts hard and short; at 96 minutes the film never sits down, which is a virtue for most of the way and a limit near the end.

The gore is what most people will come for, and Cronin supplies it in quantity. Stephen McKeon’s score rumbles under the floor and comes up to a shriek for the jumps, which is the job, and every impact lands with a wet, heavy thud. We flinched at the scene with the cheese grater, and we are not squeamish. Then, some way into the second half, we noticed that flinching had become the only thing the film was asking of us, and that we had stopped minding which of the children got out.

That is the trouble. The 1981 film was funny because the camera misbehaved, hurtling through the woods and knocking over the furniture. Cronin keeps his camera steady and grim, and the jokes that are left are lines rather than pictures. The three children are drawn with a thick pen: Danny makes the mistake, Bridget (Gabrielle Echols) blames him for it, Kassie (Nell Fisher) carries a home-made doll on a stick. The neighbours, Mr Fonda (Mark Mitchinson), Gabriel (Jayden Daniels) and Scott (Tai Wano), exist to be counted down. Sarah Voon’s costumes, worn flannel and band T-shirts, tell us more about these people than the dialogue does.

Cronin’s previous film, *The Hole in the Ground*, was also about a mother whose child comes back changed, and he plainly means this one to be about a family as much as about blood. Fede Álvarez’s 2013 *Evil Dead* went the same route, grim and straight-faced, and this sits closer to it than to Raimi; the cold open at a lakeside cabin is a nod to the originals rather than a promise to behave like them. The early films looked as if they might fall apart at any moment, and that was part of the fright. This one is bolted together and does not creak.

See it in a cinema if you can, with the sound up; the noise is half the film. At home, with a lamp on, it shrinks to a well-made possession picture with one remarkable performance in it.

*Fi1m score 72, published 10 September 2026.*

## Straight answers

**Is Evil Dead Rise worth watching?**

*Evil Dead Rise* is worth watching if horror is your evening, and we scored it 72. Alyssa Sutherland's performance as a mother who comes back wrong is the reason to see it, and Lee Cronin's condemned block of flats is well built and frightening in bursts. It is less alive than the films it descends from, and by the second half flinching is all it asks of you.

**How long is Evil Dead Rise, and what is it rated?**

*Evil Dead Rise* runs 1h 36m and is rated R by the MPA in the US. It is a horror and thriller film.

**Where can I watch Evil Dead Rise in the US?**

*Evil Dead Rise* is streaming on HBO Max, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from $4.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Evil Dead Rise, and is it suitable for children?**

*Evil Dead Rise* is an 18 certificate and earns it: heavy, wet gore in quantity, including one scene with a cheese grater that made us flinch, and a possessed mother speaking to her children through a door. It is not for children or the squeamish. Teenagers under 18 are excluded by the certificate, and the jumps are loud enough to justify it.

**How does Evil Dead Rise compare to Evil Dead II?**

*Evil Dead Rise* is the grimmer and more efficient film; [*Evil Dead II*](https://film.one/film/evil-dead-ii) is the better one. Raimi's camera misbehaves and the jokes are pictures, where Cronin keeps his steady and leaves only lines to laugh at. Choose the 1987 film for a horror comedy with a strong stomach, and this one if you want a straight-faced possession picture with a single fierce performance.

**What should I watch after Evil Dead Rise?**

After *Evil Dead Rise*, try [*Evil Dead II*](https://film.one/film/evil-dead-ii) (1987, Fi1m 86): Where the camera misbehaves and the jokes are pictures; the series at its most alive. Then [*The Babadook*](https://film.one/film/the-babadook) (2014, Fi1m 86): A mother turning on her child, played for dread rather than blood.

### Reviews we read (22)

- **Empire**, Al Horner (85/100, inferred): The critic finds that the film refreshingly reinvents the series by moving it to an urban LA apartment building while retaining its schlocky spirit of gore and humor. It singles out the inventive scares, strong sisterly character work, and Alyssa Sutherland's unhinged performance for praise. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/evil-dead-rise/)
- **The AV Club**, Andy Klein (B+): The critic praises it as a welcome return to the franchise's blend of humor, genuine scares, and creepiness. It singles out the abundant gore and blood, engaging characters, goofy comedy, and the shift to a high-rise setting as putting the series back on solid footing. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/evil-dead-rise-movie-review-1850355011)
- **Radio Times**, Laura Rutkowski (4/5): It's a relentless, wince-inducing gorefest with clever references and strong performances, particularly Sutherland's monstrous turn, making it horror at its finest. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/evil-dead-rise-review/)
- **The Telegraph**, Robbie Collin (4/5): The film is a strong return to the franchise that mixes demonic elements with fresh setting and escalating gore. It succeeds in scaring viewers through strong performances and terrifying effects. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/evil-dead-rise-review/)
- **Time Out**, Hanna Flint (4/5): The film delivers inventive gore and chainsaw action in a claustrophobic apartment setting, with strong performances especially from Alyssa Sutherland as the possessed mother. It's recommended for fans of the franchise's bloody thrills. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/evil-dead-rise-2023)
- **Total Film**, Jamie Graham (80/100, inferred): The critic says the franchise is back in gory glory, delivering creative, gruesome kills in a claustrophobic apartment setting that surpasses the 2013 reboot. It praises the contained intensity and overall energy while noting it falls short of the original Raimi entries in humor and camera work. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/evil-dead-rise-review/)
- **The New York Times**, Jason Zinoman (75/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a blood-drenched, effective entry in the franchise that shifts the action to an urban high-rise apartment building. It stands out for centering a family story with a tattoo-artist mother turned demon-possessed and a chain-saw-wielding aunt as the funny hero. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/21/movies/evil-dead-rise-review.html)
- **Slant Magazine**, Chuck Bowen (2/4): The critic dismisses it as an anonymous gorefest delivered with monotonous, po-faced earnestness. It singles out the lack of Raimi's gleeful splatter-comic soul, personality, tactile textures, and inventiveness, along with anonymous characters and setting, as the chief flaws. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/evil-dead-rise-review-lee-cronin/)
- **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (30/100, inferred): The critic views it as a desecration of the series' goofy, inventive spirit, settling into a drab possessed-mom chiller. It singles out the lack of new ideas beyond elevated gore and the failure to embrace playful creativity as the main complaint. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-evil-dead-rise-is-no-evil-dead.html)
- **Financial Times**, Leslie Felperin (★★☆☆☆): The movie delivers plenty of gore and franchise staples but feels repetitive without the wit or invention of earlier entries. It will satisfy dedicated fans but lacks broader appeal. [Read](https://www.ft.com/content/8eabb3c1-ee27-4d17-bdbb-8b4a9a3fa7b0)
- **Screen Daily**: Cronin's confident addition updates the franchise with genuine scares and unapologetic gore in a claustrophobic apartment setting, focusing on motherhood as a bloody nightmare while nodding to the series' roots. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/evil-dead-rise-review/5181117.article)
- **Sight and Sound**: The critic praises the intense gore and sound design in Lee Cronin's update, which relocates the action to an LA apartment while exploring family tensions through demonic possession. They note it dials down comedy for more unnerving horror. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/evil-dead-rise-intensely-gory-instalment-cult-horror-franchise)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Lovia Gyarkye: The critic calls it a bloody good homage and effective corrective to the franchise. It highlights the director's twisted mind, strong performances by Alyssa Sutherland and Lily Sullivan, plentiful gore, and jittery style as making it a worthy entry. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/evil-dead-rise-review-lee-cronin-1235355024/)
- **Variety**, Joe Leydon: The critic calls it an imaginatively scary franchise extension that effectively moves the horror to a rundown Los Angeles apartment building. It is praised for its claustrophobic tension, shocking set pieces, jet-black humor, and strong performances from the lead actresses. [Read](https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/evil-dead-rise-review-1235556203/)
- **Digital Spy**, Ian Sandwell (5/5): Evil Dead Rise is a bloody, funny, and intense revival that successfully expands the franchise without relying on Ash, delivering practical gore and dark humor in spades. Lily Sullivan's Beth emerges as a compelling new heroine in a fresh urban setting. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a43616881/evil-dead-rise-review/)
- **NME**, Lou Thomas (5/5): Cronin's entry is a fast-paced, funny rollercoaster with inventive, savage gore and likable family characters that stand on their own. It pays homage to the series while refreshing the formula with an inner-city setting and doesn't require prior knowledge. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/evil-dead-rise-review-horror-bruce-campbell-3433265)
- **Collider**, Marco Vito Oddo (A-): The critic calls it a worthy successor that understands the franchise's core appeal and delivers effective scares and gore for both fans and newcomers. The family dynamics and committed cast, especially Alyssa Sutherland as the possessed mother, provide emotional stakes rare in horror. [Read](https://collider.com/evil-dead-rise-review/)
- **/Film**, Jacob Hall (8.5/10): The critic calls it the most 'Evil Dead' movie yet, praising its extreme body horror, creature design, and darkly comedic energy that turns family destruction into a wild ride. Cronin is commended for delivering a hyper-violent, funhouse-style tour that stays true to the franchise while making a fresh mark. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1229596/evil-dead-rise-review-the-classic-horror-franchise-roars-back-to-bloody-life-sxsw-2023/)
- **Polygon**, Rafael Motamayor (85/100, inferred): The critic finds it a fantastic update full of unhinged glee, brutal kills, and clever humor that mixes Raimi-style fun with Álvarez-inspired gruesomeness. The shift to a family in an apartment building and Sutherland's standout performance as the Deadite mother add fresh edge and emotional weight. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23643237/evil-dead-rise-review-sxsw-deadites/)
- **Den of Geek**, Don Kaye (2.5/5): The film delivers plentiful gore and some fun, Raimi-style moments but lacks real emotional connection or originality beyond callbacks. It feels like a glossy studio extension of the IP rather than a passionate new entry. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/evil-dead-rise-lot-of-blood-but-little-heart/)
- **Deadline**, Valerie Complex: The critic finds the film a return to form for the franchise, praising its gory, absurd, funny and bleak tone along with strong practical effects, makeup and the cast's physical performances. Some annoyance is noted at standard horror tropes that make characters act foolishly. [Read](https://deadline.com/2023/04/evil-dead-rise-review-deadites-lee-cronin-sxsw-1235301584/)
- **The Wrap**: The critic calls the film a bloody and barbaric good time that delivers rivers of blood, unrelenting evil and ingenious weaponry while highlighting strong performances, especially Alyssa Sutherland as the possessed mother. Minor notes include some cheesy lines and it not quite matching the 2013 reboot's shock value. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/evil-dead-rise-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** Lee Cronin
- **Director:** Lee Cronin
- **Writer:** Lee Cronin
- **Cinematography:** Dave Garbett
- **Editor:** Bryan Shaw
- **Music:** Stephen McKeon
- **Production design:** Nick Bassett
- **Costume design:** Sarah Voon
- **Producer:** Rob Tapert
- **Cast:** Lily Sullivan as Beth; Alyssa Sutherland as Ellie; Morgan Davies as Danny; Gabrielle Echols as Bridget; Nell Fisher as Kassie; Mark Mitchinson as Mr. Fonda; Jayden Daniels as Gabriel; Mirabai Pease as Teresa
- **Runtime:** 1h 36m
- **Certificate (MPA):** R
- **Release (the US):** 21 April 2023
- **Genres:** Horror, Thriller
- **Budget:** $15 million
- **Box office:** $147 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PelnoDkHrR8

## Where to watch in the US

- HBO Max: streaming, uhd
- The Roku Channel: add-on, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd
- Hulu: add-on, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $4.99, uhd
- Apple TV: rent $4.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $14.99, uhd
- Apple TV: buy $14.99, hd

*Checked 2026-09-10.*

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, ES, FI, FR, GB, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IN, IS, IT, JP, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TH, TR, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Evil Dead II* (1987), Fi1m 86: Where the camera misbehaves and the jokes are pictures; the series at its most alive. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/evil-dead-ii.md)
- *[REC]* (2007): Another block of flats sealed from the outside, with the stairs getting worse every floor.
- *Demons* (1985): Lamberto Bava locks an audience in a cinema and lets the make-up department loose.
- *The Babadook* (2014), Fi1m 86: A mother turning on her child, played for dread rather than blood. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-babadook.md)
- *Drag Me to Hell* (2009): Raimi doing possession the way he likes it: nasty, silly and fast.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/evil-dead-rise