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Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley, Theodore Raimi ... see more see more... , Denise Bixler , Richard Domeier , John Peaks , Lou Hancock , William Preston Robertson , Josh Becker , Sam Raimi , Scott Spiegel , Snowy Winters

This high-octane semi-sequel to Sam Raimi's cult hit The Evil Dead has nearly eclipsed its predecessor's reputation thanks to an endless barrage of hyperkinetic camera acrobatics, rapid-fire editing a... read more read more...nd "splatstick" gore effects ... not to mention a truly goofy performance by Bruce Campbell. Nearly the entire storyline of the previous film has been re-shot and presented in a drastically condensed form within the first few minutes: rock-jawed but clueless "hero" Ash (Campbell) now visits the mountain cabin only with girlfriend Linda (played here by Denise Bixler). Upon arrival at the cabin, Ash discovers the Sumerian Book of the Dead, the ritual dagger and a reel-to-reel tape containing the professor's translations of the book's hieroglyphics. The incantations summon an unseen, growling spirit from within the woods, which bursts into the cabin and takes possession of Linda's soul. Ash is forced to decapitate her with a shovel, after which he buries her in the forest. At first dawn, Ash tries to make his escape, but is promptly set upon by the spirits, given a solid thrashing and nearly possessed himself, saved only by the arrival of sunlight. Cut off from the outside world, Ash is forced to hole up in the cabin and wait for the next demonic onslaught -- which arrives sooner than expected, led by Linda's rotting corpse. After being bitten by Linda's chatty decapitated head, Ash's hand becomes independent of his body and begins pummeling him repeatedly. The story then jumps to a local airport, where the professor's daughter Annie (Sarah Berry) and her partner Ed Getley (Richard Domeier) have just arrived with the missing pages to the Necronomicon. They employ a cranky pair of local rednecks, Jake (Dan Hicks) and Bobbie Joe (Kassie Wesley), as guides to lead them through the dense woods to the cabin ... where, at that very moment, Ash is removing his belligerent hand with a chainsaw, creating yet another ambulatory foe. Driven to the brink of insanity, Ash fires blindly at a noise outside, unaware that the new arrivals are Annie and company. Bobbie Joe is injured by the gunshot, which incurs the wrath of Jake, who knocks Ash senseless and locks him in the fruit cellar. Believing her father was murdered by Ash, Annie plays the rest of the professor's recording to learn the truth, and discovers her possessed mother was buried in the same cellar -- and not exactly resting in peace. This touches off a string of unbelievably gruesome (and hysterically funny) events, including Henrietta's transformation into a stop-motion creature (reminiscent of a Ray Harryhausen creation), Ed's sudden metamorphosis into a toothy, levitating ghoul, and Ash's climactic confrontation with the forest demon itself. The obvious glee with which Raimi and company present this cavalcade of slime-drenched monstrosities and Three Stooges pratfalls makes it impossible to take seriously as a horror film, but Evil Dead 2 is nevertheless essential viewing among connoisseurs of truly demented cinema. The film's sardonic coda opened the way for a slightly less successful sequel, Army of Darkness. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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86% liked it

129,102 ratings

Critics

98% liked it

43 critics

R, 1 hr. 24 min.

Directed by: Sam Raimi

Release Date: January 1, 1987

Keywords: cult, horror, zombie

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DVD Release Date: August 4, 1998

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Flixster Reviews (9,096)

  • TomBowler
    February 24, 2012
    TomBowler
    Groovy. Full review later.
  • FrizzDrop
    February 9, 2012
    FrizzDrop
    My new favorite in the Evil Dead trilogy, this film bridges the awkward gap between the first and the third, which are as different as night and day. While the first is a low budget, tangible horror film with a sick, twisted sense of humor and truly gory effects, the third is a r... read moreidiculous, blundering film set in a different century and barely containing a horrific characteristic. This film has both the irregular humor and broad idiocy of the third while trying to stay true to the original storyline and keeping the concept true, including the curse that spawned the entire series. The best thing about Evil Dead is that the films are all goofy and yet morbidly horrific. They all have gruesome special effects, ghouls that double as possessed souls, and multiple instances of grotesque horror, including the ghouls changing back to their previous owner's forms and pulling on loved ones heart strings. That sickness is heightened by the effects, which are at times explosively rapid, using camera angles and wide lens shots which have been described as "splatstick gore" which I find to be appropriately accurate. The entire thing works perfectly because of the performance of the trilogy's singular hero Ash, played by the always insanely good Bruce Campbell. Campbell, who is the only person to star in every one of the Evil Dead films, is always manic, ruthless, and hell-bent on survival. Compared to the first film, where he's a frightened horror victim, here he's a crazed survivalist who is just trying to escape the woods and make it back to humanity. The ending sets up the third part of the trilogy and is the only thing tying it all together. A particularly different brand of gross out humor and horror, this is certainly the best of the genre, and a good example of balance within it.
  • fb619846742
    November 17, 2011
    fb619846742
    A hilariously over-the-top film all the way through, concerning a couple who escape to the woods for the weekend only to encounter the wrath of the dead. Without a sense of humor, this film would be nothing more than a forgettable slasher flick with no reason to exist. However, t... read morehanks to Sam Raimi's self-aware meter being on an all-time high, this film is ridiculously funny, badly acted on purpose, and definitely worth it if you love B-grade horror films. Bruce Campbell's hysterically bug-eyed performance is perfect for the film's direction, and the film's pace could not be better. I didn't love it as much as a lot of others do (it is a huge cult classic), but I still very much enjoyed it, despite the film's tendency to sometimes pat itself on the back for being so outlandish and ridiculous. Just as solid as the first 'Evil Dead', and definitely worth a view.
  • FilmFanatik
    November 15, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    Remember the good old days of movie watching? Remember when you could go to your local video store and pick up a bunch of VHS tapes for about $5 and watch a bunch of stuff you hadn't ever seen before? Well that's what I used to do, and Evil Dead II was one of those rentals - fore... read morever changing my film appetite. It's one of the most amazing horror comedies out there, and makes the original Evil Dead, the masterpiece that it is, look like a mild skirmish. You'll instaneously laugh and be scared all at once at with this goofy but brilliant horror film that continues to entertain generations of horror fans. Absolutely and positively one of the best horror films ever made.
  • garyX
    November 14, 2011
    garyX
    A group of strangers are trapped with a malevolent demonic force in an isolated cabin in the woods. Evil Dead 2 is more of a bigger budget remake of Evil Dead than a sequel and its where Sam Raimi perfected his trademark comic strip style. It's obviously still made on a shoestrin... read moreg by today's standards but the hysterical over-acting and amusingly ropey effects actually add to the madcap vibe of the film that's a bit like a ride on a ghost train through a fun house. It's actually far too silly to be considered scary, relying more on sight gags and slapstick than atmosphere or tension; a lot of the humour is straight out of old school Vaudeville, Raimi including an homage to the Marx Brothers' mirror gag and the plate sequence is straight out of the Three Stooges. There's little in the way of characterisation or even plot, the opening film basically consisting of "this is Ash, this is his girlfriend...oops he's beheaded her" and when the cast are not laughing hysterically, they're screaming hysterically. But what it is, is wildly inventive and breakneck in its pace which may not be the work of genius I was convinced it was when I was a teenager but is sure as hell still worth a beer'n'buddies night every Halloween. A cult classic.
  • fb100002384654145
    October 31, 2011
    fb100002384654145
    It's more of the same, but Raimi puts the films bigger budget to great use. Their is more gore, more horror, more slapstick, and more insanity. Bruce Campbell is still awesome as ever playing Ash.
  • fb733768972
    October 26, 2011
    fb733768972
    The original "Evil Dead" film represents classic terror in it's finest hour, and while this film does not disappoint in that area, it does come off as a weird twist to the entire series. For the first half hour of the film, we are left alone with Bruce Campbell in a much similar ... read morehome to the first, but with very strange happenings, it does not live up to the true-to-life horror that the first provided. This one is a bit over-the-top when it comes to gore and creatures. It may have the classic hollywood horror cheese like the first, but I was terrified for days after I watched the original, and this instalment just left me shrieking throughout, but I found no difficulty in shrugging my shoulders and forgetting about it once it is over. Although, I must admit that the whole story does redeem itself into a very clever plot once other characters are present in the film. With everything being said, the illusion of the film is hard to get into, but the cinematography makes the film all-the-more horrifying, the acting has the same level of corniness that I loved in the first, and when it's get's scary, it's really terrifying. This is in no way as much of a classic as the original is and the ending is very random. Still, it's a great horror film that, since I am a fan of the first, I will never forget!
  • fb1664868775
    October 21, 2011
    fb1664868775
    Horror/comedy classic. I showed this to my wife, who is not a horror fan, I thought she was going to jump through the roof when shit starts popping out at you.
  • fb500439213
    October 15, 2011
    fb500439213
    Sam Raimi is an acquired taste and if one has an affinity for derisive campiness, they will absolutely adore his 'Evil Dead' series. I, on the other hand, have a limit on how much cartoonish gore and a lack of a cohesive plot I can take. Thankfully, the direction is energetically... read more delirious enough that it didn't completely revolt me. The film is all anarchic goofiness and Campbell is the hammy lead who is abused relentlessly in Jerry Lewis slapstick. A few of the set pieces are exceptionally nonpareil (from the cackling montage of the lamp, deer head and books to Campbell spinning over the tree canopies). Overall, I admire this reboot more than I unabashedly enjoy it.
  • CloudStrife84
    August 20, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Freaky splatter-fest with all kinds of ghosts, ghouls, demons and dark entities. Pretty much a repeat of the original, except with more monsters and different victims. Doesn't quite live up to its popular acclaim, but it's good fun nevertheless. Major kudos to the stop-motion and... read more make-up department; given the budget and the time it was made, their work is quite brilliant. A shame though that the same word can't be applied to the rest of the film as well.

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Critic Reviews

James Berardinelli
September 21, 2007
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Good acting would not have served the material well, since it would have diluted the comedy quotient and made the campy elements seem cheap and cheesy. Full Review

Variety Staff
September 21, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

A flashy good-natured display of special effects and scare tactics so extreme they can only be taken for laughs. Full Review

Pat Graham
September 21, 2007
Pat Graham, Chicago Reader

The pop-up humor and smirkiness suggest Raimi's aspiring to the fashionable company of the brothers Coen, though on the basis of this strained effort I'd say he's overshot the mark. Full Review

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

Genuine, if bizarre, proof of Sam Raimi's talent and developing skill. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

If you know it's all special effects, and if you've seen a lot of other movies and have a sense of humor, you might have a great time at Evil Dead 2. Full Review

Richard Harrington
January 1, 2000
Richard Harrington, Washington Post

The acting is straight out of '50s B movies. The exposition is clumsy, the sound track corny, the denouement silly. Then again, who said bad taste was easy? Full Review

R. L. Shaffer
January 29, 2012
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD

A masterpiece of B-movie horror-comedy mayhem fueled by Sam Raimi's fast-paced slapstick sensibilities and brought to life by Bruce Campbell's incredible performance. Full Review

Nick Schager
March 29, 2010
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

First and foremost, [Raimi's] gonzo aesthetics are interested in high-wire kicks, of which there are plenty throughout. Full Review

Rob Humanick
October 28, 2007
Rob Humanick, Projection Booth

The Evil Dead remains the stronger film... but this sequel/remake is something of a masterpiece unto itself. Full Review

September 21, 2007
Empire Magazine

The gaudily gory, virtuoso, hyper-kinetic horror sequel/remake uses every trick in the cinematic book, and confirms that Bruce Campbell and Raimi are gods. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Ash Ashley J. Williams: Gimme back my hand... GIMME BACK MY HAND!
    • Ash Ashley J. Williams: Groovy!
    • Linda: I feel funny about being here. What if the people who own the place come home?
    • Ash Ashley J. Williams: They're not gonna come back. Even if they do we'll tell them the car broke down or something like that.
    • Linda: With your car, they'd believe it.
    • Linda: Please Ash... please don't hurt me. You swore- you swore that we'd always be together. I love you.
    • Ash Ashley J. Williams: Noooo!
    • Linda: Yah! Your lover is mine and now she burns in Hell.
    • Jake: Jesus H. Christ... thought all she was talking about were those two Goddamn little bags..
    • Ash Ashley J. Williams: Damn it! I said I was alright! Are you listening to me? You hear what I'm saying? I'm alright!.. I'm alright..
    • Annie Knowby: OK, maybe you are. But for how long? If we're going to beat this thing, we need those pages.
    • Ash Ashley J. Williams: Then let's head down into that cellar and carve ourselves a witch.
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Evil Dead 2 Trivia

  • what actor played ash in the Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2 and Army Of Darkness?  Answer »
  • In "Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn", a Freddy Krueger glove can be seen hanging near the steps in one of the cellar scenes.  Answer »
  • In the film High Fidelity, John Cusack and Jack Black have an argumentative discussion about which cult film?  Answer »
  • Name the 1993 film that is the sequel to "The Evil Dead" and "The Evil Dead 2"?  Answer »
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