When director and writer Sam Raimi and producer Rob Tapert gathered funding for the first Evil Dead film, they had no idea the legacy they were about to leave! The full-fledged horror extravaganza set in the midst of the woods struck a chord with moviegoers, resulting in two sequels directed by Sam Raimi and a TV series dubbed Ash vs. Evil Dead.
Whether it was the inventive narrative or Bruce Campbell’s savvy casting in a crucial part, the audience adored the picture and the ones that followed. The notion has become popular as a result of the fans’ dedication throughout the years, and several directors have tried out similar themes in their works. In this video, we’ve compiled a list of some of these films that we believe will appeal to Evil Dead aficionados.
Primal (2010)
A group of friends embark on an expedition to Australia’s outback to investigate an old cave artwork. When one of their companions contracts a mysterious illness that causes her to relapse into a dangerous predatory condition, their holiday mood is short-lived.
She starts hunting down the other members of the group, and now everyone is in a strange dilemma. They can either kill off their affected friends or be killed by them. Will there be any survivors in this mayhem?
When it comes to substance, so-called slasher films don’t have a good reputation. The public has grown bored of such films, which generally revolve on a bunch of foolish youngsters battling a terrifying monster. Primal, on the other hand, avoids clichés and provides an intriguing story that hooks you from the first scene, which gives you a peek of the evil that is going to be unleashed.
Fans of The Evil Dead will recognise the identical concept featuring a gang of buddies. The gore-hounds wouldn’t be disappointed because there are some scenes that are seriously graphic in nature. From cannibalism to ripping flesh, there are moments that will make you squirm.
The acting isn’t terrible, and for a B-movie, the work with special effects is acceptable. The seven-foot cave-dwelling slug is unique, and while the movie wasn’t going to win any awards, it certainly is an entertaining affair.
Bornless Ones (2017)
Zack has cerebral palsy, and his sister Emily moves to a distant house near an institution to offer better care for him. Her spouse and a few of friends accompany her, and they quickly detect something odd about the place.
In various places in the house, strange symbols seem to hint at a terrifying secret. When Zach begins to heal miraculously, things are not as rosy as they seem. Possession by evil spirits makes it a horrifying night for them that is almost impossible to survive.
This film may be seen in two ways. You can see it as an obvious knock-off or as a tribute to the classic. Reanimated corpses, demonic whispers, a lodge in the midst of the woods, and a variety of other elements will bring to mind Evil Dead.
While it is undoubtedly inferior to the source material, it does have a solid plot. The actual special effects that were employed to portray the gruesome portions also amazed us. The haunting in the cabin and the possession thereafter have some spine-chilling moments, and when voices echo from deep in the house, you are bound to feel jittery.
The acting performances are a bit lacking, and despite the best efforts, some of the scenes fall short of expectations. The ending, too, is somewhat unsatisfactory, and you might be left asking for more. It can still be a fun watch for the hardcore fans of Evil Dead and is a decent attempt from the makers.
Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)
Frank Brayker has the key to an ancient knowledge that may unleash tremendous evil and destroy everything in a wild battle between good and evil. The Collector is a demon that is eager to get his hands on the key and begin the apocalypse.
After evading him and his army of ghouls for a long time, Frank finally prepares to face him with the support of some gritty residents in New Mexico. Can they prevent the Collector and his forces from seizing the key?
Being the director of a picture that even loosely resembles Evil Dead is a difficult challenge. Ernest Dickerson, on the other hand, does an excellent job of blending horror, drama, and humour into a whole product. The cast includes several well-known actors, like Billy Zane and William Sadler, who do not disappoint.
As the devil, Billy Zane is very captivating. Raw action lovers will be in for a treat, as there is plenty of gore on offer. The creature effects look pretty cool, and you must watch out for the scene where the girl’s face starts to transform! The atmospheric narrative is engaging, and the brilliant work with the sets makes things interesting.
It doesn’t have the same manic heights that were reached by the Evil Dead films, but the adventurous ride will bring back memories of Sam Raimi’s work. The gruesome ending will appeal to the horror fan in you, and this underrated gem is surely worth your time.
Stan Against Evil (2016)
Stan Miller, a surly and judgemental sheriff, is the protagonist of this horror-comedy TV series. He loses his position due to an outburst, and he must give over to the new sheriff, Evie Barret.
They must work together when they discover a problem in the community, despite their differences. An ancient witch burning in the town may have some horrifying consequences that can only be averted by their brave alliance. Things get ugly when the demons come!
You’ve undoubtedly gathered from the narrative that Ash vs. Evil Dead has a big influence on the TV show. While there are apparent parallels, this is a lighter take on the narrative. The low-budget productions contribute to the hilarity, and you’ll quickly fall in love with the characters.
John C. McGinley’s furious sarcasm as the loudmouth sheriff is spot on, as is his companion in crime! The ever-evolving plot allows for some jaw-dropping episodes that include horrific monsters. The camera angles and make-up effects are clearly borrowed from Sam Raimi, and despite the campy effects, you will enjoy this laugh-riot.
We wish the episodes were longer than the meager 20-minute ones that we got, and the action scenes could have been filmed better. Other than that, this is a delightful combination of creepy and funny that will go down well with those who like Evil Dead movies!
Father’s Day (2011)
Fuchman, a sadist serial murderer, murdered Ahab’s father when he was a little kid. Ahab gets consumed with exacting vengeance on the killer, but he ends up in prison for murdering the wrong person. Later, he is taken in by Father John Sullivan, a priest.
Soon, they join hands with Twink, another guy whose father was killed, and together they set out in search of Fuchman. The murders continue, and they stick to their epic quest relentlessly! Will they succeed? Well, you have to watch Father’s Day to find out!
Troma Studios is notorious for producing brutally entertaining films, and this one follows in that tradition. The unsettling scenes of male rape and nudity may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Father’s Day is not for the faint of heart. It’s a fantastic neo-grindhouse picture that’s more like a parody of exploitation horror films.
Even though it is a micro-budget flick, the smart direction makes it look ten times its budget. There are some commendable acting performances, and the quick cameo from Lloyd Kaufman is unmistakable.
We loved the make-up and gore effects that are a class apart from other movies in this league. If you do not get offended by the unapologetic narrative of this Troma classic, you are in for some vile fun ahead!
Wither (2012)
If you’ve learnt anything from the Evil Dead movies, it’s to stay away from deserted cottages in isolated forests! A young Swedish couple heads to an abandoned cottage in the woods to have a nice holiday with their friends in this film inspired by the Evil Dead narrative.
However, the cabin houses the roots of evil that shelter some sinister secrets from Sweden’s past. When these evil forces are unleashed, the fun holiday turns into a nightmare.
Although the narrative has an eerie resemblance to Evil Dead, you will be disappointed if you expect the same degree of suspense. In reality, the film fails to frighten you, and the absence of information regarding the home will annoy critical viewers.
The zombies are well-crafted in this Swedish horror film, which relies on contemporary gore effects. The opportunity to showcase the greatest of Swedish wildness was squandered, and the cinematography isn’t the best you’ll ever see.
The only possible field where it manages to keep up with its predecessor is the impressive gore, but the poor acting is a bummer! A scene where one of the guys starts screaming after being possessed is almost a stab to the ear, and most intense moments are lost due to the lack of acting skills. Watch this only if you are a die-hard Evil Dead fan!
Ghosthouse (1988)
Paul picks up some odd radio signals of people shouting and tracks them down to a home. He goes with his girlfriend, and there are a few other young invaders lurking around the house as well.
They’re all in for a rude awakening since the mansion is haunted by its dreadful past. A man named Sam Baker lived there with his wife and young daughter. He worked as a funeral director and often stole belongings of the dead people. A clown doll taken from a dead kid was the source of horrifying evil, and the group of friends will struggle to make it out alive!
It’s not every day that you stumble across a film that manages to be both corny and frightening! Ghosthouse is the best of both worlds, and while the plot contains hints of Evil Dead, there are some additional twists to keep things interesting.
The picture kicks off with a bang, and the lavish quantities of gore straight away are a foreshadowing of what is to come! The acting is terrible, and we are being polite here! Some of the dialogue delivery is so bad that it comes off as hilarious.
However, in the middle of all the campy stuff, the clown doll is eerie enough to give you a few sleepless nights. The spooky soundtrack adds to the atmosphere, and you will enjoy this movie even with the bizarre ending!
Witchery (1988)
A group of individuals gets stuck on a remote Massachusetts island due to a violent storm. A remote hotel appears to be the sole haven of safety, yet it is haunted by an evil witch. She is the ghost of a former German actress and starts to possess the members of the group one by one. It is utter chaos, and as they are being mercilessly killed, there seems to be no way out! Will there be any survivors?
To be honest, we’ve seen too many horror movies with such stories. Witchery isn’t groundbreaking, but it does have a few really terrifying moments that set it apart from the pack. Given the circumstances and the budget, the spectacular effects captured our hearts, and we looked past the obvious Evil Dead similarity.
Aside from the narrative, several of the sequences are direct adaptations of the Sam Raimi masterpiece. The film may be relentless, and things might become a little too cruel at times. The gore is plentiful, and some inventive death scenes are a welcome addition to such films. David Hasselhoff does a decent job, and Linda Blair is perfectly suited for the role.
The scene where she is possessed is unintentionally hilarious, but you will be left marveling at the unexpected twist in the end! At times the pace slows down, but there is no let-up in the intensity of the narrative.
Beyond Darkness (1990)
Moving into a new home may be exciting, but not if the home is constructed on the site of the burning at the stake of twenty witches! When a priest and his family move into this house, he is tortured by the demonic powers that have taken up residence there.
His young son is possessed by the evil spirits, and he seeks help from a more experienced priest to perform an exorcism. It is revealed that the house is also home to the spirit of a crazy woman who killed ten children and was sentenced to death. In short, it is too powerful an evil to contain!
Aside from Evil Dead, The Amityville Horror and The Exorcist have a lot of parallels. Claudio Fragasso, the director, has previously worked on films such as Troll 2, and he even recruited a young actor from the picture to appear in Beyond Darkness.
The logic is thrown out the window on numerous instances, but the gripping tale will keep you from focusing on the errors. The film has a powerful impression on the viewer right from the first scene, and the acting lends a lot of support to the well-coordinated directing. The creepy background score nailed the theme, and the special effects were on point.
You wouldn’t get the crazy moments of Troll 2 in this film, but you will be reminded time and again about the inspiration from Evil Dead. It is said that the movie is based on a true story that is even recognized by the Roman Church!
The Horror Show (1989)
Detective Lucas McCarthy finally apprehends a vicious serial murderer. While watching his execution, Lucas discovers that his body is literally burning in the electric chair before he dies. The serial murderer struck a pact with the devil and is now seeking vengeance on the investigator.
The McCarthy family moves into a new house, but they are followed by the evil spirit of the killer. Thereafter begins the series of horrifying events where Lucas and his family must find a way to survive!
This film resembles Wes Craven’s Shocker more than Evil Dead. There are, however, a few sequences that obviously reference the horror classic. There are some stressful moments in the paranormal narrative, as well as enough jump scares to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Although it is hardly a classic, the great writing makes it worthwhile to see. Lance Henriksen and Brion James deliver outstanding acting performances, and they constitute the film’s lifeblood.
Some clever shots make the scenes in the basement really creepy, and when Lucas’ daughter’s boyfriend is killed, you feel the tension as the blame falls on Lucas. As long as you do not mind the plentiful curse-words in the dialogues or the gore, this is a must-watch slasher flick!
House II: The Second Story (1986)
Jesse, his fiancée, and a few friends move into his grandfather’s old house. It’s the same house where his parents were inexplicably murdered many years ago, and some old relics can still be found in the crevices.
They are unaware that there is an ancient Aztec skull in the house, and a few reanimated corpses are desperately searching for the magical powers. The movie follows their comical struggle against the evil forces and their bonhomie with the good ones.
This campy horror comedy is a wonderful example of Western humour, and while it isn’t quite Citizen Kane, it is certainly entertaining. The plot’s sheer unpredictability and craziness is what makes it so intriguing.
You’ll quickly find yourself bonding with the quirky characters and giggling uncontrollably at the hilarity. It was clearly not supposed to be frightening, and while there are some similarities to Evil Dead in terms of subject, the execution is vastly different. The actors like Arye Gross and Jonathan Stark are just apt for their whacky roles, and the imaginative special effects such as the skeletal horse will remind you of Ray Harryhausen.
The caterpuppy was simply adorable, and we could watch the movie alone! If drinking with a zombie isn’t cool, we don’t know what is!