After more than a decade of dormancy, The Evil Dead franchise returns in 2025 with a fresh chapter that manages to honor its gruesome roots while pushing the mythos into new, terrifying territory. Directed by newcomer Chloe Masters and produced by original creator Sam Raimi, The Evil Dead (2025) is both a spiritual successor to Evil Dead Rise (2023) and a soft reboot, offering fans a brutal, atmospheric horror experience that feels both familiar and daringly evolved.
The story picks up years after the events of Evil Dead Rise. This time, a group of amateur documentary filmmakers ventures deep into the Oregon wilderness to investigate an urban legend surrounding a cabin that allegedly vanished decades ago. Among the group is Emma, a troubled young woman whose family history is disturbingly connected to the Necronomicon. Predictably, the group stumbles upon the Book of the Dead, buried beneath a ruined cellar, and unwittingly unleashes a new wave of Deadite terror. But this time, the evil is smarter, crueler, and more relentless than ever.
What sets The Evil Dead (2025) apart is its tone—a chilling blend of psychological dread and unrelenting body horror. The practical effects are a standout feature, echoing the gory excess of the 2013 remake while adding slick, modern cinematography. The film doesn't shy away from brutality, but it balances that with moments of surreal beauty and haunting stillness that elevate it above simple gore-fests.
Fans will appreciate the subtle nods to Ash Williams and earlier entries, though the film wisely avoids nostalgia traps. Instead, it builds its own mythology. Emma's descent into madness mirrors Ash’s iconic struggle, but she carves a new path—emotionally driven, tragic, and ultimately empowering.
If The Evil Dead (2025) is any indication, the franchise still has life—or unlife—left in it. With a sequel already teased in a chilling post-credit scene involving a snowy mountain monastery and an ancient, locked vault, the Deadites seem poised to take their chaos worldwide.
