The official red band trailer for the highly anticipated horror film Evil Dead Rise has been released, and it’s a killer. From the onset one thing is sure: mommy dearest isn’t quite herself these days.

Sam Raimi brought new life to the occultist niche earning him tremendous respect in the horror community with Evil Dead. According to Collider, Raimi’s terrifying rendering of demon possession and re-animated corpses received an enthusiastic audience reception and eventually made its way to the Cannes Film Festival in 1982.”

Evil Dead is structured around a book of the dead named the “Necronomicon Ex-Mortis.” However, the “Necronomicon” is not just any book; it is a powerful portal for the Kandarian Demon. In the wrong hands, one can unintentionally bring hell to earth. Incantation calls forth the demon that can control the dead (zombies) and create a “Deadite.” The possessor of the book can even summon the demon itself. The 1981 feature introduced the “Necronomicon” some bumbling teenagers, and an ultimate protagonist (Ash). Due to the ill-conceived ideas of the band of friends, it fell to Ash to defeat the undead.

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Evil Dead II, which in some circles is defined as a requel (both a remake and a sequel), showed more of Ash taking on the dead in the woods. The third installment Army of Darkness followed Ash back to 1300 AD. But that was hardly the end of the franchise. The exuberance for the feature spawned massive fandom. Rumors of a new addition to the franchise, rekindled passions, leaving fans with fevered anticipation. With the trailer’s release, moviegoers now have a good idea of what to expect.

Evil is Coming to the City

     New Line Cinema

The trailer starts with a figure slaving over a hot stove, and slinging hash isn’t the specialty. While the presentation of bloody yolk frying on a hot range may turn stomachs, it affixes the gaze. However, in the first few minutes, one thing is sure, Evil Dead Rise will veer from its typical formula in one significant way. Unlike the features before, this film takes the franchise to a more intimate setting, as is etched in the closing frame “evil comes home.” But home is not just any place; it is an apartment in LA. As Looper notes, “This time, the Deadites are headed to Los Angeles, and they plan to unleash havoc on an apartment complex.” And that is vastly different turf than some secluded cabin in the deep dark forest.

But that’s not the only divergence. While features one and two focused on a band of friends, this time, it’s familial. This is clued in the opening. Four anxious onlookers stand within a door frame looking on as a woman at the stove spews a terrifying dream through blood-encrusted lips. The dead giveaway that Evil Dead Rise is keeping it close to heart and home is the opening inquiry: “What’s up, sis!”

Some Things Don’t Change

Although there will be some obvious deviations, it is apparent that the newest director Lee Cronin will keep things the same where it matters most. One factor all the Evil Dead films have in common is the Necronomicon, possession, and the dead. This film will be no different. The book becomes an obvious point of focus in one cut-away shot. And given the terms of endearment thrown about and one particularly nasty statement from the family’s matriarch, its apparent possession remains the centerpiece.

A grotesque Ellie tells her loved ones about her endearing desire to keep them close. But the means are macabre. A breakaway montage depicting scalping, shredding flesh, and a decapitated doll, is underscored by the monstrous figure stating how it wants to splay the family and climb inside their non-possessed bodies.

The Franchise is Going Deeper

     Warner Bros. Pictures

Throughout the trailer, it is apparent that this film will not lack depth. If the film follows the trailer’s trajectory, viewers can expect a robust story with a well-defined background or an “Evolution of Evil.” The trailer does more than feature the battle which ensues. There is also a well-placed flashback frame. The watcher is shown footage of a happier time a loving and memorable moment as the tune “Que Sera, Sera” plays in the background. And given what has been shown up until that point, what was on the horizon would not be pleasant. It seems Ellie has opened up more than a can of worms when the book of the damned is discovered. One presupposes it is callous handling that leaves the remainder of the family at the mercy of what has been released. And it’s up to aunt Beth (Lily Sullivan) to take down some “Deadites.”

A thorough assessment leads us to conclude that Evil Dead Rise will maintain the tone and graphic imagery that made the other films successful. Additionally, the film will bring a fresh perspective with the change of scenery and the slant toward a different subset of those to be victimized. And, it doesn’t hurt that Raimi has cosigned on Cronin’s talent and abilities. According to an article in Slash Film, when conversing with Cronin in the pre-film phase, Raimi gave the director his approval. Raimi recounted that when speaking with Cronin on his desire to direct an Evil Dead film, he told the eager director, “Then why don’t you make the new one? I think you’re the kind of guy I’d like to do it.” And it was full steam ahead after that.

For those who are anxious to see what happens after the Evil Dead Rises in LA, look for the action to ensue in theaters on April 21. While we’ve included the green band trailer below, you’ll have to go to YouTube for the red band version.