Evil Dead 2 and the 15 greatest horror movie sequels of all time
By Mads Lennon
2. Evil Dead 2 (1987)
- Directed by: Sam Raimi
- Starring: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley, and Richard Domeier
Evil Dead 2 redefined the way horror sequels were approached. Not only was it a sequel to The Evil Dead, but it parodied the original film while still maintaining the elements of horror.
Due to the unbridled, zany, and gory nature of the Evil Dead films, the movies have gained a passionate cult following. While it didn’t do all that well at the box office, it was still critically acclaimed, particularly due to Campbell’s returning performance as Ash and for Raimi’s directing.
The film begins by recapping the events of the first movie before launching into Ash’s new battle against the forces of evil. Ash finds himself at an abandoned cabin in the woods once again and discovers an old tape recorder and it doesn’t take long for his girlfriend to become possessed.
The Evil Dead had many elements of comedy but it leaned more into its horror roots. Evil Dead 2 is the opposite. It is still a horror film but more hardily embraces the humorous elements of its story. As the franchise evolved, humor would become an increasingly important component of the storytelling, often aided by Bruce Campbell’s terrific performance.