Evil Dead II (1987)
★★ — Evil Dead II (1987)
Sam Raimi made Evil Dead II as a partial remake and partial sequel to his 1981 debut, The Evil Dead, largely because the rights situation around the original made a straightforward continuation complicated and because Raimi wanted to rework the material with a bigger budget and a sharper comic sensibility. The $3.5 million production was modest by Hollywood standards but represented a significant step up from the original's shoestring origins, with Dino De Laurentiis's company coming on board as a key backer. Shooting took place primarily in Wadesboro, North Carolina, with Raimi and his regular collaborator Bruce Campbell essentially rebuilding the cabin-in-the-woods premise from scratch. The film arrived in 1987 during a crowded period for horror sequels, and it would later serve as the direct setup for Army of Darkness (1992), cementing Ash Williams as one of genre cinema's more unlikely icons.
Evil Dead II (1987) clearly occupies hallowed ground for many horror fans, and I understand why. Sam Raimi's gonzo energy, Bruce Campbell's committed physicality, and the film's pivot into horror-comedy have earned it a devoted following. But for viewers who don't connect with its particular brand of madness, it can feel like an endurance test disguised as entertainment. The film's reputation as a practical effects milestone is well-documented, but viewed cold in 2026, the rubbery gore and puppet work often tip into silliness rather than shock. Less impressive craftsmanship, more bargain-bin carnival. Campbell's performance, hailed as iconic by fans, reads as gratingly hammy to the unconverted: all bug-eyed mugging and flailing limbs without the emotional anchor to ground the absurdity. And while it's technically a reimagining rather than a straight remake of the first film, the cabin-bound repetition (same setting, same demonic incantations, same basic siege structure) feels creatively stagnant if you're not invested in the mythology. Most damning is the tonal whiplash. The film can't decide whether it wants to terrify or parody, lurching between genuine horror beats and slapstick without rhythm or purpose. What fans call "inventive" can feel like chaos without catharsis; what admirers call "unhinged" can simply feel exhausting. A film whose legend far outpaces its actual impact on this viewer. Its influence is undeniable, its passion evident, but passion alone doesn't make for compelling cinema.
Rating: ★★ | Year: 1987 | Watched: 2026-04-06
Where to watch (UK)
Stream: Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
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Where to watch (UK)
Stream: Studiocanal Presents Amazon Channel
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Physical: Amazon UK
Affiliate disclosure: Movies With Macca may earn a small commission on purchases or subscriptions started via these links. It costs you nothing extra.
Related on Movies With Macca
More from Sam Raimi: The Evil Dead (1981) · Spider-Man 3 (2007) · Spider-Man 2 (2004) · Spider-Man (2002)
More with Bruce Campbell: The Evil Dead (1981) · Maniac Cop (1988)
More from the 1980s: Nightmare City (1980) · A Better Tomorrow (1986) · Style Wars (1983) · Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers (1980)
More horror: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) · Viy (1967) · Nightmare City (1980) · Angst (1983)
More comedy: The Eagle (1925) · The General (1926) · Americana (2023) · The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
