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The Evil Dead

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1:52

The Evil Dead

NC-17

Released Oct 15, 1981

1h 25m

Horror

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Popcornmeter

86%

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83 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Ashley "Ash" Williams (Bruce Campbell), his girlfriend and three pals hike into the woods to a cabin for a fun night away. There they find an old book, the Necronomicon, whose text reawakens the dead when it's read aloud. The friends inadvertently release a flood of evil and must fight for their lives or become one of the evil dead. Ash watches his friends become possessed, and must make a difficult decision before daybreak to save his own life in this, the first of Sam Raimi's trilogy.

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Critics Consensus

So scrappy that it feels as illicit as a book found in the woods, The Evil Dead is a stomach-churning achievement in bad taste that marks a startling debut for wunderkind Sam Raimi.

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

Sam Raimi’s 1981 breakout feature remains profoundly unsettling due to the gonzo vigour with which he attacks his subject.

Sep 12, 2023

Full Review

Diane Haithman

Detroit Free Press

It may not be serious, but it's totally sincere; it never laughs at its own jokes. In fact, I'm not sure it even gets them. And you can't help but respond to Evil Dead at some level beyond the usual horror-movie fright and disgust.

Rated: 6/10

Mar 24, 2023

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Boston Phoenix

Sam Raimi's technique is equal to his perverse imagination. In his first directorial outing, he's already got a flair for the visual grammar of horror movies that John Carpenter might envy.

Mar 24, 2023

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Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

No matter how many directors return to that forest, it's unlikely anyone will ever reproduce Evil Dead's weaponized feral clunkiness

Mar 19, 2024

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... such a bravura bit of cinematic inventiveness that it’s too much fun to be genuinely grueling, but this unrelenting parade of funhouse terrors and creative low budget effects is one of the most entertaining American horror films of its time.

Sep 8, 2023

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Stephanie Archer

Film Inquiry

It is brutally violent and unrelentingly gory, yet it is also the work of an artist with a passion for the craft.

Jun 25, 2023

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BAPHOMETT

This movie is disgusting. My wife screamed the whole time and walked out before it was over because she couldn't handle it anymore. Personally I think it's a really cool movie though lol some of the scenes are very scary considering how old it is. But some also look super fake.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/22/23

Full Review

Rami A

I excepted this to be an average, disgusting horror film. After watching it, I found that the best way to describe Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead is that The Exorcist meets The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

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James B

The evil dead may be old but oh boy is it a masterpiece. Featuring solid performances from the likes of Bruce Campbell The evil dead will have you dying of fun.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

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Yo M

Guys you need to watch this movie. Like the random Chappell Roan cameo??? Its crazy!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/25/25

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Calvin T

Pretty good for a classic horror movie 🎬 ✌🏾

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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Adam B

It's the definition of grime, gore, and schlock, complete with the bad acting and questionable effects but damnit, The Evil Dead makes it work beautifully. It's something only some people will find alot of enjoyment out of, as it is a shockingly slow burning affair, but the absolute fun carnage of such a low budget movie having such legendary scenes easily makes this a truely fascinating masterpiece.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

Full Review

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Sam Raimi

Director

Bruce Campbell

Ashly 'Ash' J. Williams

Ellen Sandweiss

Cheryl

Betsy Baker

Linda

Richard DeManincor

Scotty

Theresa Tilly

Shelly

The Evil Dead: Official Clip - The Tree Attack

1:56

The Evil Dead: Official Clip - Trapped in the Cabin

0:56

The Evil Dead: Official Clip - The Zombies Attack

2:33

The Evil Dead: Official Clip - Rising From the Grave

1:52

The Evil Dead: Official Clip - They Won't Stop Laughing

3:17

The Evil Dead: Official Clip - Killing the Zombies

2:43

The Evil Dead: Official Clip - The Walls Bleed

2:15

The Evil Dead: Official Clip - Demons Possess Cheryl

2:48

The Evil Dead: Official Clip - Hacked to Pieces

4:46

The Evil Dead: Official Clip - Psycho Demon Girlfriend

2:23

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The Evil Dead: Trailer 1

1:52

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Synopsis

Ashley "Ash" Williams (Bruce Campbell), his girlfriend and three pals hike into the woods to a cabin for a fun night away. There they find an old book, the Necronomicon, whose text reawakens the dead when it's read aloud. The friends inadvertently release a flood of evil and must fight for their lives or become one of the evil dead. Ash watches his friends become possessed, and must make a difficult decision before daybreak to save his own life in this, the first of Sam Raimi's trilogy.

Director: Sam Raimi
Producer: Rob Tapert
Screenwriter: Sam Raimi
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: Renaissance Pictures
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 15, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Runtime: 1h 25m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1), 35mm, 16mm

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