On a large or narrow scale, horror documentaries usually provide insight, analysis, and context for various facets of the genre. Hail to the Deadites doesn’t try to provide any fresh information or commentary about the Evil Dead franchise; instead, it focuses on the devoted fanbase that has backed it up for decades. It’s a delightful depiction of some of the franchise’s most ardent supporters.
Filmmaker Steve Villeneuve brings together a diverse group of experts to showcase the finest of fandom. This specialised universe is introduced by a small group of horror journalists and historians, and franchise staples like Bruce Campbell appear throughout to offer accounts of fan encounters.
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Villeneuve shows the community’s most notable Ash cosplayers, a romance that grew out of a common love for the movies, die-hard memorabilia collectors, and a heart-breaking story about a fan who named his unwell young son after the franchise’s hero. With considerable fondness, the film skims over conventions, Evil Dead stage productions, fan gatherings, and more.
It’s delightful to see each person’s face light up as they share their love for the franchise; each person chosen from the fandom is truly delighted to be able to express how much the Evil Dead movies mean to them
Those hoping for insight into what it is about this series that attracts such a devoted following will not find it here. Villeneuve never ties the dots between the films and their ardent fans, nor does he go into the psychology behind their unwavering devotion. It’s a string of adoring but mostly hollow praise. The most information comes from fragments of interviews with the franchise’s cast, which are played during the credits after the film.
Hail to the Deadites succeeds as nothing more than a happy celebration of Evil Dead fans. It’s likely to make you grin, but there’s nothing educational about it. Villeneuve is simply repaying those who have given so much to the series. That means it’s a very specialised fan film made for Evil Dead fans.
On July 27, 2021, Hail to the Deadites was released on demand and in digital HD.