The Sinister Influence Behind Evil Dead Rise's Terrifying Transformation

Writer/director Lee Cronin drew inspiration from another classic horror movie for the unique visual style of Evil Dead Rise. Taking over the franchise from Sam Raimi and Fede Álvarez, who directed a previous installment without Bruce Campbell's Ash, Cronin shifted the setting from the woods to a dilapidated apartment building. This inventive approach to the franchise's formula garnered widespread acclaim, while still satisfying fans' expectations. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Cronin discussed the process of creating Evil Dead Rise's visual style, revealing that the inspiration came from a different iconic horror movie rather than Raimi's filmography. Read on to find out more about Cronin's explanation.

Why Sam Raimi's Evil Dead Style Remains So Iconic

I possess a strong passion and determination in my writing. Throughout the development and writing process of the movie, I focused on providing clear guidance. While I understand that coverage is an essential part of filmmaking, I strive to uncover unique perspectives and approaches in storytelling. I constantly strive to refresh the visual elements in order to offer an unparalleled experience, not only from scene to scene but also from shot to shot. This film is overflowing with meticulous close-ups and significant moments. Unfortunately, I can't recall the exact number, but I believe we have approximately 2000 cuts in the movie. These cuts effectively capture the dynamic visual energy we aimed to convey. I take pride in the fact that it's not solely about the appearance, but rather about how the visual elements contribute to the overall tone and ambiance of the film. Although the opening scene presents the great outdoors, the film transitions into a confined and suffocating environment once we enter the building. Together with my director of photography, we discussed extensively how to maintain a sense of epic proportions despite the limitations, involving our lens selection and approach. We drew inspiration from films like Alien, where despite being trapped inside a confined spaceship, the wide scope and grandeur are still palpable. This was an aspect we devoted extensive effort to during our preparation phase.

Despite the passage of over 40 years since its theatrical release, Raimi's distinct style in the original Evil Dead movie and its subsequent installments remains one of the most renowned in the horror genre. The director's unwavering commitment to practical effects, resulting in copious amounts of bloodshed and escalating insanity, not only inspired a sense of confidence in aspiring filmmakers, but also embraced the darkly comedic elements inherent in the various Evil Dead films.

The motion shot of the unseen Deadite force racing towards the protagonist, seen from a first-person perspective, has become an iconic element of Raimi's Evil Dead franchise. This shot has been maintained in the films directed by Álvarez and Cronin, such as the 2013 Evil Dead rebootquel and Evil Dead Rise. In addition to the horror genre, Raimi's unique style has also found its way into his blockbuster films, including the Spider-Man trilogy, Oz the Great and Powerful, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This distinctive style has even influenced other filmmakers, as seen in Jon Watts' use of quick zoom-ups on characters in Spider-Man: No Way Home, especially significant due to Tobey Maguire's return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.