Horror is as hot as ever with hit after hit at the box office.Evil Dead Rise, which was released in mid-April, is just the latest genre offering to make a blood-soaked splash. The fifth film in theEvil Deadfranchise has been on track to cross the $100 million mark for a while now and, just before it enters its third weekend of release,Risehas accomplished that impressive feat.Evil Dead’s various social media pages celebrated the news by postingRise’snow iconic title card shotof a deadite rising out of the water against a haunting sunset. However, this time it’s not the sinister title emerging from the water, it’s $100 million in cold hard cash. DirectorLee Croninadded to the post thanking fans saying, “So much love for the cast, crew, and all of you amazing movie-goers for takingEvil Dead Riseto this place today. Thank you for your support in helping the Deadites RISE all around the world!” This historic milestone now makes Rise the highest grossing film in the franchise. The previous film to hold the top spot wasEvil Dead(2013) which made $97.5 million in its entire run. Rise, again is only entering its third weekend and itsbox office drop was very impressivefrom its opening to second weekend.Risestill at least has a couple more weeks to play in theaters before the film’s inevitable VOD home release. Because of that, it will be exciting to watch what kind of legs these hungry deadites have in that timeframe.
Evil Dead Risefollows two sisters Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) and Beth (Lily Sullivan) as they reconnect after many years of being apart. Beth needs her sister’s help with something, but when Ellie’s kids find the Necronomicon all hell breaks loose. The deadites quickly take possession of Ellie’s soul, and it’s up to Beth to save the family before it’s too late. What makesRiseso great is that it doesn’t try too hard to scare its audience. Cronin relies on classic atmosphere and gothic haunted house frights to set the film’s tone. He then applied that to theEvil Deadfans know and love. This successfully takes the cabin in the woods franchise setting and throws it in a claustrophobic apartment building. That allowed for a more brutal and intimate story with themes that stunningly highlights the worst fears of any mother or mother to be. When you add the killer marketing campaign and the all-time genre performances from both Sutherland and Sullivan,Risewas bound to slay all its deadly demons at the box office. ManyEvil Deadfans have seen the film multiple times in theaters and have shown their love for the film in many ways. This includes a bunch of sick cheese grater tattoos.
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The Deadites Continue to Rise
Evil Dead Riseis in theaters now. While fans wait for a sequel announcement and a dream crossover forAsh, Beth, and Mia, you’re able to view the trailer forRisedown below.
