In light of the coming release of Evil Dead Burn, it feels pertinent to take a brief trip down memory lane and discuss the OG Evil Dead from 1981.
To summarise The Evil Dead story in this day and age would be like playing the same old broken record, played one too many times. A group of teens head out to the woods to spend some time in an old creepy ass cabin they have NO business staying in. During this stay an ancient evil slowly possesses them one by one until they’re all playing Slip n Slide on their own fluids and gore. They fight demons, undead and pure nightmare fuel. Which ONE will survive?
However, a crucial caveat. At the time of The Evil Dead’s release, it was quite a unique concept for a story. Mind you, the story brushes over a lot of details as it ushers us into the next room to enjoy the next spectacle. One could easily ask, why are these guys really here? It’s lightly touched on that they scored the cabin for cheap. Yes, and? There’s a reason for that. I won’t even stay at a super cheap hotel in fear of pestilence, unwashed linen and possibly possessions. So, you’d assume remote, isolated, abandoned, creepy ass cabins are way off limits.
Alas, what fun would that have been in the history of horror cinema?
Gripes aside, the impact this little indie film had on horror hounds and movie buffs alike was unexpectedly HUGE. The film itself made $30 million worldwide on an approximate $350,000 budget. In 1981! That’s a massive success.
Three friends, Sam Raimi (director), Rob Tapert (producer) and Bruce Campbell (actor) got together to make a little film for less than half a million dollars and turned it into a $30 million box office success. They nearly died doing it. It was a full blown indie affair. Building the cabin themselves out in the cold woods of Morristown, Tennessee. There was no hired crew for this gig. It was all friends and friends of friends.
Built up by the confidence of the short film they made years earlier for under $2,000, Within The Woods (following a similar premise to The Evil Dead), and the positive response it received, they hustled for funding, leaving no stone unturned to source money for the production.
Whilst the financial success of The Evil Dead is inarguably immense, the greater success is the impact it had on cinema and pop culture. On its success, the word spread fast and people were discussing the film as one of the most intense and gory horror films ever made.
Raimi’s directing style had become a beast of its own. Twisted angles, moving POV shots, crazy audio samples, non linear imagery and comedic undertones in a horror setting. Campbell was shot to B grade actor stardom, featuring in anything from Maniac Cop to Xena: Warrior Princess (though also a Raimi production).
This film spawned posters, memes, t shirts, stickers, actual lingo, copycat films, video games and still does to this very day. Hell, the 1990s classic Duke Nukem 3D literally quoted the central character, Ash (Bruce Campbell), in the game.
The Evil Dead is not just an 80s horror film you can watch for a peep at how things used to be with its cheesy music, sub par aged SFX and OG charm. It’s a staple of cinematic history and a shining example of what can be done when you put your mind to something. This film is a masterclass in filmmaking. It’s a classic example of success not always being driven by funding, but creativity. A lesson that a lot of modern filmmakers could really use.
Do yourself a favour. Before Evil Dead Burn is released, catch up on the film that started it all. Then watch the sequel (or is it a requel?) and the ensuing sequels that followed. Get a refresher on the film mastery, the on set problem solving and the passion that is The Evil Dead.
Then sit down, watch Evil Dead Burn with a massive box of popcorn, and see if you can still spot the influence that this long standing film has left on filmmakers to this very day.
Evil Dead Burn is releasing July 9, 2026.
Groovy….
Review by James J