It’s a well-known, albeit unfortunate, fact that a large percentage of movie sequels are regarded as inferior to their predecessors. The magic so intricately woven into the first installment of a successful franchise sets the bar so high that many filmmakers find it difficult to catch lightning in a bottle with subsequent releases.
This is all a matter of opinion, though, and many heated debates amongst fans have occurred throughout the history of moviedom on this very topic. A few rare exceptions rise above the stereotype, somehow managing to pull rank and gain the distinction of being seen as superior sequels. One of the clearest examples in horror movies is Evil Dead II (also marketed as Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn).
When director Sam Raimi and producers Robert Tapert and Bruce Campbell set out to make The Evil Dead in 1981, they were famously in over their heads regarding filming and production. The movie was notoriously difficult to make, with miserable conditions for the entire cast and crew. Despite that, it gained positive reviews from critics and audiences, firmly cementing its spot in pop culture fandom.
Naturally, a sequel was almost immediately discussed, with Raimi wanting to expand on the concept of the main character Ash Williams (played by Campbell) being sucked through a time portal and transported to the Middle Ages. Ultimately, Raimi was urged by publicist Irvin Shapiro to stick to a premise that was similar to the original. Once producer Dino De Laurentiis agreed to provide financial backing based on these terms, the deal was set.
Armed with a considerably larger budget, the cast and crew again set out to that abandoned cabin in the woods to tell the story of summoned Deadites wreaking havoc on Ash and his friends. The film comically acts as a semi-remake, throwing continuity out the window and foregoing many of the details the first film established. While the reasons for this may have been unclear then, it’s now one of the main points that endear fans to this iteration.
The plot does have considerable, undeniable similarities to the original. Ash and his girlfriend, Linda, set out for a romantic weekend to the same cabin from the first film and again play recordings from the cabin’s former resident. When lines from the Necronomicon (AKA The Book of the Dead) are recited, this awakens and unleashes evil forces, known as Deadites, onto the cabin, possessing Linda. Ash is forced to fend off the entity that was once his beloved girlfriend while also warding off threats of being possessed himself.
All is not lost, though. The voice behind the recordings is that of archaeologist Raymond Knowby. His daughter, Annie, and her research partner, Ed, have just returned from a dig, and they just so happen to have missing pages from the Necronomicon that can potentially banish the evil Deadites. They’re on their way to the cabin when they’re roadblocked, quite literally, by a destroyed bridge and have to enlist the help of Hillbilly locals Jake and Bobby Jo to continue their trek. The four arrive at the cabin amid the new mayhem Ash finds himself in. From there, they must fight for survival against insane, campy, impossible odds. The result has become one of the most beloved horror comedies ever, earning its spot in cult classic royalty.
So, what IS it about Evil Dead II that has burrowed itself in the hearts of fans for the last 25 years? The undeniable blend of near-perfect professional teamwork and chemistry among Raimi, Campbell, and the rest of the cast. Despite once again having deplorable and agonizing filming conditions, this group of individuals came together to make the best of their situation.
This version is more comedic in tone than the first, and with a larger budget, the effects are much more impressive. This also means that the gore and violence are substantially greater, expertly toeing the line between slapstick and terrifying. Because of this, it couldn’t be submitted to the MPAA for an official rating, as it very obviously (for the time, at least) would have exceeded R-rating standards. Ultimately, it was given a limited release to a mere 310 cinemas and was listed as unrated, earning modest ticket sales.
What are box office numbers, though, when you have fervent fan adoration and the distinction as one of the most beloved film sequels of all time? The Evil Dead franchise has become a pop-culture staple, with the subsequent third installment, Army of Darkness, finally giving Raimi his time-traveling comedy tale. Several video games based on the movies have had great success, and a TV show, Ash Vs. the Evil Dead, aired from 2015 to 2018.
The character of Ash and actor Bruce Campbell himself, for that matter, has become one of the heroic kings of horror. He’s the epitome of the lovable jerk with a character arc that takes him from bumbling and incapable of handling anything to an overconfident big talker. These characteristics have stood the test of time and become so synonymous with who Ash is that it’s virtually impossible to think of the Evil Dead empire without immediately picturing him.
It’s safe to say that, even 25 years after its release, Evil Dead II is showing no signs of waning its influence on horror, comedy, and pop culture in general. When you can bounce back and forth between genuine laughter and actual fright while watching a movie, why would you want it to fade away and be forgotten? Millions of fans seem to agree. Hail to the king, baby.
