The world premiere of Evil Dead Rise at SXSW was briefly interrupted by a heckler after the horror feature’s screening. It led to a displeased Bruce Campbell to shout at the heckler to exit the auditorium. But on the bright side, the latest entry in Sam Raimi‘s supernatural horror franchise has critics raving about it as a “crowd-pleaser” for delivering a gore fest filled with nasty carnage.
Even while being branded as the longest film from the franchise clocking in a runtime of 96 minutes, Evil Dead Rise is still comparatively a smaller film compared to 2022’s blockbusters like Scream, M3GAN, etc. Nevertheless, sitting through an hour-and-a-half feature may have been too much for a fan at the South by Southwest premiere of Evil Dead Rise on Wednesday night.
The incident occurred after the screening during the Q&A with the cast & crew. But the discussion is hindered when SXSW staff confront the man for falling asleep. It quickly leads to a chaotic exchange which also prompts the audience to go quiet, and he later screams, “This movie fucking sucks!” and throws a popcorn bucket in the air. Readers can check it out in the video below.
The heckler was quickly booed by the audience and he decides to exit the auditorium. But he proceeds to pause to make obscene gestures which led Bruce Campbell to respond, “What are you doing here? Get the fuck out of here!”.
Contrary to the heckler’s statement, Evil Dead Rise has critics praising director Lee Cronin and stars Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland. Social media reviews for Evil Dead Rise compare it to the 2013 remake for amping up the Deadite’s gnarly disturbing moments whilst also taking notes from Raimi’s original films. Though, some reviews have also claimed the new entry does not contain a lot of humor elements, unlike the classic. Readers can check it out below.
An fan at the #EvilDeadRise #SXSW premiere said “This movie fucking sucks!” to which @GroovyBruce responds “What are you doing here? Get the fuck out of here!” pic.twitter.com/mIBI29yr7b
— One Take News (@OneTakeNews) March 16, 2023
While Campbell is a producer of Evil Dead Rise – director Cronin confirmed the actor’s appearance and even has a bet with audiences to find and tweet out the cameo shot. However, Ash is not part of the film.
EVIL DEAD RISE: It's been a minute since a total gorefest like this was dropped in theaters. Claustrophobic, grimey and mean as hell, this new entry is a crowd-pleaser that gets straight to the violence. Will 100% make you wince at parts. #SXSW2023 pic.twitter.com/ane5CK6N6i
— Paul Lê (@AFinalBoy) March 16, 2023
Remember when they made BLADE RUNNER 2049 and everyone kinda assumed it would go a little more accessible and straightforward, but they actually went and made the most BLADE RUNNER-ass BLADE RUNNER movie possible?
Well, EVIL DEAD RISE…
— Jacob Hall (@JacobSHall) March 16, 2023
Evil Dead Rise is rad! The tone falls somewhere between the 2013 remake and Evil Dead 2, there’s so much gore, and even more child endangerment. Also, there’s a nod to The Shining that had me applauding in my seat. Don’t miss it. pic.twitter.com/ZjJktb0Zxt
— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) March 16, 2023
Holy mother of hell. Evil Dead Rise is nasty and gnarly as fuck, it LITERALLY RIPS. Continues the style and tone of the 2013 remake, while offering some neat twists. Lee Cronin is a directing force, but it’s Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland who lead this carnage circus #SXSW pic.twitter.com/nwtMBSr2tM
— kevin l. lee @SXSW (@Klee_FilmReview) March 16, 2023
EVIL DEAD RISE carries Sam Raimi's spirit while still bringing fresh ideas to the table. The kills kick ass and it's going to shock even the most dedicated fans.
It's not as comedic as previous films and sticks to a harsher tone, making it stand out in the franchise. #SXSW pic.twitter.com/mWbN3Pm9aX
— Andrew J. Salazar @ SXSW (@AndrewJ626) March 16, 2023
EVIL DEAD RISE from @curleecronin blew my mind! It has the classic EVIL DEAD feel yet it’s new and fresh in its own way. Groovy gore, engaging characters, and many MANY gross-out moments. With a quick 96 minute runtime, this movie never bores! #SXSW2023 #EvilDead #EvilDeadRise pic.twitter.com/Xi6Ktgt4qU
— Ryan Ranc @ SXSW (@RyanRanc) March 16, 2023
EVIL DEAD RISE is a blood-soaked blast! All of the haunting images & unique shooting styles are summoned back on screen. Fantastic practical effects & gruesome contortion work take center stage. it’s diabolically comical in all the best ways. #sxsw2023 #evildeadrise
— Marisa Mirabal (@Marisa_Mirabal) March 16, 2023
Evil Dead Rise is the total smorgasbord of gore, possession, laughs, and style you would come to expect. Its more adjacent to the 2013 remake and I dug it. pic.twitter.com/xfJc6NSYJY
— Murjani Rawls @ SXSW (@MurjaniRawls) March 16, 2023
jesus christ, EVIL DEAD RISE is pure carnage! just sick and savage! it’s everything you could want for another entry in this franchise. a sadistic whirlwind, my body is shaking! such an engaging crowd, what a blast. #SXSW2023 pic.twitter.com/XZHS4lfKtK
— JAMIE ARENA (@jamiekarena) March 16, 2023
Evil Dead Rise is an instant horror classic, with blood & guts to spare. Terrific job by director Lee Cronin, truly honoring Sam Raimi’s legacy & breaking new ground at the same time. YOU ARE NOT READY FOR THIS, do not watch alone!!! Congrats to everyone involved #SXSW #SXSW2023 pic.twitter.com/ihEHj92UuM
— Atom (@theatomreview) March 16, 2023
EVIL DEAD RISE is as unrelenting as the remake but as crowd-pleasing as the Raimi movies. It has a darkly comic spring in its step even as it’s serving up the most extreme imagery the franchise has ever offered. Goodness, it’s so gooey.
— Jacob Hall (@JacobSHall) March 16, 2023
Hahahaha holy smokes EVIL DEAD RISE rips. Gnarly, chaotic & buckets of fun—and blood!
Never heard a #SXSW crowd more nuts, made better with the cast, Sam Raimi & Bruce Campbell in it. pic.twitter.com/dj6nIsPlkd
— Alyssa Vidales @ SXSW (@instalyssa) March 16, 2023
EVIL DEAD RISE: Prefer the original recipe slapstick malevolence (this is much more Fede than Sam), but once it gets cooking, hot damn is the apocalyptic mayhem unrelenting. Must have fought hard for an R. #SXSW2023
— A.A. Dowd (@AADowd) March 16, 2023
Evil Dead Rise will hit theaters on April 21, 2023.
