Evil Dead II (1987)
Ash Williams and his girlfriend Linda find a log cabin in the woods with a voice recording from an archeologist who had recorded himself reciting ancient chants from "The Book of the Dead." As they play the recording an evil power is unleashed taking over Linda's body.
Details
Budget
$3,500,000
Rating
8/10 (3187 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Rosebud Releasing Corporation, Renaissance Pictures, The De Laurentiis Company
About Evil Dead II
Released in 1987, "Evil Dead II" blends horror, comedy, and fantasy elements. The film revisits Ash Williams and his girlfriend Linda as they encounter a log cabin and a recording of ancient chants, which unleashes a malevolent force. This sequel maintains a fast pace, focusing on action and dark humor. It develops the technical and creative style seen in the original, with an emphasis on visual storytelling rather than extensive dialogue or plot exposition.
The film has an average rating of 8 out of 10 from over 3,000 votes, and critical reception is generally positive, with an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 72/100 on Metacritic. Keywords associated with the film include "splatter horror," "chainsaw," "book of the dead," and "over the top," indicating its characteristic blend of graphic violence and exaggerated humor. Its style is often described as both "playful" and "absurd." The film's influence extends to later works, with discussions often comparing it to its predecessor and its thematic follow-up, "Army of Darkness."
Why you might be searching for Evil Dead II
People search for "Evil Dead II" due to its memorable elements like the chainsaw hand and shotgun, its blend of horror and slapstick comedy, and its association with a cabin in the woods. Specific searches might include details about the Necronomicon, an eyeball, or a disembodied hand, all key visual components of the film's psychotronic and absurd atmosphere.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer describes the film as a humorous remake of the 1981 original, with a larger budget allowing for more overt comedy and action involving Ash fighting demonic forces with a chainsaw and shotgun.
Read the full reviewA review notes that while the first film was serious horror, this sequel leans into comedy horror, though it has some narrative inconsistencies in its opening recap due to rights issues.
Read the full reviewA viewer, not typically a fan of slasher films, appreciated "Evil Dead II" because it doesn't take itself seriously; the gore contributes to the black humor, and lead actor Bruce Campbell's charisma carries the film despite its low budget effects.
Read the full reviewOne reviewer expressed confusion about the film's high praise, viewing it as one of Sam Raimi's weaker efforts that relies on gore for shock value rather than genuine fear or tension, with scenes bordering on comedy.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "Evil Dead II" on HBO Max, Philo, and Kanopy. It's also available for rent or purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, and you can buy it on DVD or Blu-ray from retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
No, "Evil Dead II" is not based on a true story. It is a fictional horror-comedy film.
At the end of "Evil Dead II," Ash and Annie successfully perform a ritual from the Necronomicon to banish the Kandarian Demon, but Ash's severed hand fatally stabs Annie. The ritual creates a temporal vortex that sucks in the demon, Ash, and his Oldsmobile Delta 88, transporting them to the Middle Ages. There, knights mistake Ash for a deadite until he defeats a harpy-like demon with his shotgun, leading them to hail him as a prophesied hero, much to Ash's dismay.
"Evil Dead II" is widely considered a highly acclaimed film, with many critics viewing it as one of the greatest horror films ever made and even superior to its predecessor. Reviewers have praised its humor, Sam Raimi's direction, and Bruce Campbell's performance, often noting its successful blend of horror and comedy.