‘Groovy…’
Despite being something of a horror obsessive, I’ve never been much of a fan of horror comedy. I think this is because feeling afraid is the fundamental itch that I want to scratch when delving into the horror genre. It is very difficult to make a film that is both genuinely frightening and genuinely funny. Shaun of the Dead is one prominent example, but Evil Dead 2 is perhaps the definitive horror comedy…
Picking up right where The Evil Dead left off, Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead II continues Ash’s descent into madness and also presents us with a bunch of new characters for the Deadites to torment. Bruce Campbell returns, of course, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Now, it’s been a while since I’ve revisited Evil Dead II and honestly I was shocked at just how extreme it is. I’ve always preferred the first film, mainly because I find it absolutely terrifying, but this one really does follow the rule of the sequel. Everything is bigger, bloodier and nastier. The gore sequences are completely unhinged, and while they are often played for laughs there are still moments of utter darkness. Campbell has clearly grown into the role of Ash Williams by this second entry and his performance here is genuinely one of the greatest lead performances in any horror film ever. He is utterly captivating throughout, whether he is arguing with himself in the mirror, laughing maniacally or wielding a chainsaw.
It is Raimi’s innovative camera work that really sets Evil Dead II apart, however. He uses everything in his toolbox to create a hysterical, shriek-inducing film that is rightly revered as one of the finest sequels in the genre. The hybrid of practical effects and camera trickery is dizzying, and while some of it looks a little worn and tired now, this only adds to the film’s low-key, low-budget charm.
Evil Dead II is an assault on the senses. It is a director and a star working in complete harmony to produce something utterly unharmonious. This film never lets up. It never compromises. It goes straight for the jugular and somehow hits the funny bone on the way in too. A genuine horror masterpiece.