Dir: Fede Alvarez

DoP: Aaron Morton

Year: 2013

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Things To Consider

• As a remake this film differs tonally (if not textually) from the original Evil Dead (and its more popular sequel). Much of the goofy humour that characterised the originals is pared away, what we are left with is a bold, visually arresting and visceral horror film.
• Alvarez and Morton take the now iconic imagery of the originals and have a lot of fun playing with them. They are both obviously skilled visualists, and from the opening sequence in the foggy woods we are comfortable that were in the hands of people that want to honour the original while bringing something different to the table.
• Until the blood red finale of the film, where it literally rains blood, the film keeps a generally muted colour palette, this is pretty much in keeping with the genre expectations of modern horror. There is a (dare I say it) elegance to some of the imagery, look at when the gang arrive at the cabin, the light arcing through the trees, it almost looks like a trip we’d like to go on, but of course we know how this trip ends.
• Look too at how lighting sources are used, how often do we see where the light is coming from, whether its from outside the cabin beaming in, or from a lamp or torch inside the cabin. How does this add to the atmosphere of the film?
• As the horror kicks into gear, things get murkier, dirtier and of course bloodier, but the images never loose clarity or sharpness. The camera is fascinated by the grit, the grime and the degradation. It’s common knowledge that in horror what you imagine is worse than what you can see, Evil Dead challenges that well worn assumption.

Further Research

• Evil Dead II, Cabin in The Woods & Drag Me To Hell
• Shot on What – Tech Specs

Purchase U.S.

Purchase U.K.