2. The Evil Dead (1981)
The Evil Dead Review
The film that started it all remains fiercely influential. Sam Raimi’s original blends inventive camera work, relentless pacing and inventive practical effects to create a visceral, terrifying experience born from very limited resources. The film twisted familiar horror tropes and in doing so helped define many conventions that would influence the genre for decades.
Part of the movie’s lasting appeal is how it balances terror with moments of dark humor and memorable performances. Bruce Campbell’s early work as Ash shows the building blocks of the character’s personality, and the film’s extreme practical effects still shock and impress modern audiences.
The Evil Dead is an essential watch for horror fans—an uncompromising, bloody and wildly creative milestone in low-budget genre filmmaking.
1. Evil Dead II (1987)
Evil Dead II essentially reworks the original film’s setup in its opening minutes and then launches into a brighter, more comedic and wildly inventive continuation. Where the first movie established the mythology, the sequel refines it, leaning into exaggerated physical comedy, pop culture-ready one-liners and increasingly surreal set pieces.
The film turns the original’s campy elements into a strength, creating a distinct tone that blends slapstick, horror and genuine dread. Bruce Campbell hits his stride as Ash, delivering iconic lines — including the franchise’s signature “Groovy!” — and anchoring the movie with charisma and comic timing.
Packed with creativity, quotable moments and unforgettable practical effects, Evil Dead II is the definitive expression of what makes the franchise special: equal parts horror and hilarity, executed with fearless imagination. For these reasons it remains the best film in the Evil Dead canon.
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