The 2013 reboot of “Evil Dead” is widely looked at as one of the best horror reboot-slash-continuations of all time, and for several good reasons. The original reason is, of course, that “Evil Dead” fans were initially just happy to have the franchise revived in 2013 when Alvarez’s film debuted. After “Army of Darkness” premiered in 1992, all things “Evil Dead” were effectively over — until this film breathed new life into the world of the Deadites in a way that feels truly satisfying to longtime lovers of the franchise.
Beyond just having the spirit of Ash and his friends back on the scene, the film has been praised for its different take on the original story, which was known for its nearly comical splatter and practical effects. Though it’s never actually safe for the characters at any point, the original film’s terror is often a bit funny — but the 2013 version is all gore, all terror, all the time. Nothing is funny and everything is coming to get you with absolutely zero mercy. The imagery is harsher, the effects are ten times more realistic and effective, and the film’s main supporting actor, who seemingly takes over for Ash in a non-comedic way, is a strong performer whom you accompany on an unpredictably high-stakes journey. That’s saying a lot, that the film maintains an air of unpredictability, considering this movie is technically a reboot.