Dear Reader: Update, Movie Review Intelligence will discontinue
publishing this website at the end of May (more...)
Search a Movie:
EVIL DEAD (2013)Movie Reviews
Horror thriller about five friends who unwittingly summon dormant demons when they gather in a remote cabin to aid in a drug intervention. Cast:Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, Elizabeth BlackmoreDirector:Fede AlvarezRelease Date:April 4, 2013DVD Release: TBD From:Sony PicturesRating:RLength:1 hr. 31 min.
Evil Dead (2013) opened to good not great reviews. Reviews were mixed. • Dana Stevens wrote for Slate, "...robustly carried out its mandate of turning my stomach... this polished, clever remake remains true to the spirit of the original..." • And Bill Goodykoontz wrote in the Arizona Republic, "...relentless..." More Reviews Below...
Evil Dead (2013) Positive Reviews (41 Reviews, reviews below)
Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly: EXCELLENT(cg) "The audience I saw it with screamed, gasped, and buried their faces in their dates' necks.... a wonderfully stomach-turning gift horse..."(See all of Chris Nashawaty's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 529 words, 04/05/13
James Berardinelli, Reel Views: MODERATE(cg) "This isn't just a horror movie with gore -- it's a gore movie, period. Blood is its raison d'etre. It's not scary. It's not shocking. It just wallows in viscera. Ho-hum."(See all of James Berardinelli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 789 words, 04/04/13
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...though Alvarez can't top the original, he provides enough new ideas and enough energy to make the remake a decent movie in its own right.... Age 17."(See all of Jeffrey M. Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 461 words, 04/03/13
we have an app for when you're out and about
get our iPhone app... or get our mobile web app...
movie review intelligence
NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (14 Reviews)
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...doesn't have the original's wooden performances, puffy clothes and hairdos or its amusingly crude special effects, but it does share its blood lust."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 433 words, 04/05/13
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Though Fede Alvarez keeps us watching, he takes no real chances. Buried under all those enthusiastically mangled bodies is the comfort of familiarity."(See all of Elizabeth Weitzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 388 words, 04/05/13
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: GOOD "...has a gleeful exuberance.... paying homage yet staking its own territory; it's scary without being downbeat, fun without being too jokey."(See all of Mark Olsen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 453 words, 04/05/13
Lou Lumenick, New York Post: POOR(cg) "Acting is sort of besides the point in a movie like this, which has the performers spouting deliberately ridiculous dialogue and constantly risking their lives..."(See all of Lou Lumenick's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 428 words, 04/05/13
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: MODERATE(cg) "...the gore goes straight to 11.... dark, sepia-toned, artful in its murk, and relentless and rather numbing in its geysers of bodily fluids..."(See all of Michael Phillips's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 584 words, 04/05/13
Rafer Guzman, New York Newsday: WEAK(cg) "...pointlessly fancies up the story.... it turns Raimi's homemade horror treat into a professional-looking, overscripted bore."(See all of Rafer Guzman's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 300 words, 04/05/13
David Edelstein, New York Magazine: GOOD "...rousing in its way. Gasps, moans, general writhing -- and that's just the audience.... Who'll live and become undead is rarely predictable..."(See all of David Edelstein's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 588 words, 04/05/13
Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times: POOR(cg) "I'm bored to death and sick to death of movies that seem to have one goal: How can we gross out the audience by torturing nearly every major character in the movie?"(See all of Richard Roeper's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 601 words, 04/05/13
Chuck Wilson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: VERY GOOD "...wittily gory... a virtuoso feature debut... the plotting as a whole feels fresh, as does the emphasis on women strong enough to defend themselves."(See all of Chuck Wilson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 198 words, 04/03/13
Peter Howell, Toronto Star: MODERATE(cg) "...misfires because it's content to play it safe... What's missing in all the mud, blood and gore is stoic antihero Ash, played so well by Bruce Campbell in the original series."(See all of Peter Howell's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 741 words, 04/05/13
Liam Lacey, Toronto Globe & Mail: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Awash in slapstick carnage... an enjoyable, if almost academic, exercise in bad taste.... succeeds at stirring some fresh gusto into the familiar pot of gore."(See all of Liam Lacey's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 608 words, 04/05/13
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "Alvarez establishes a tone of uncomfortable intensity and twists the sickening tension through one bravura effects sequence after another."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 172 words, 04/04/13
Tirdad Derakhshani, Philadelphia Inquirer: VERY GOOD(cg) "While it's impossible to surpass the original -- so much of its fame is a function of its time -- Alvarez's version still manages to measure up.... He is a great new talent..."(See all of Tirdad Derakhshani's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 463 words, 04/05/13
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star-Tribune: MODERATE(cg) "Alvarez knows the fright-movie playbook by heart. Unfortunately, so do we... Levy and Pucci make helpful contributions. Overall, though, it is more shopworn than shocking."(See all of Colin Covert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 468 words, 04/05/13
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Whether you think it's a good movie will depend largely upon your stomach for gruesome violence.... This is full-on horror, relentless..."(See all of Bill Goodykoontz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 556 words, 04/05/13
Tom Russo, Boston Globe: MODERATE(cg) "...are we really looking for gnarly possessions played straight? That's what Alvarez gives us for an overlong stretch.... Good thing it all finally picks up..."(See all of Tom Russo's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 421 words, 04/05/13
Stephen Whitty, New Jersey Star-Ledger: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a movie whose only aim is to scare the cheese and crackers out of you. Which director Fede Alvarez does pretty consistently.... It's a fun spookshow..."(See all of Stephen Whitty's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 608 words, 04/05/13
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: POOR(cg) "...starts well, but it soon degenerates into tiresome shock gore that overstays its welcome, despite the film's modest run time."(See all of Mick LaSalle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 41 words, 04/05/13
Soren Andersen, Seattle Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "Mutilation, meet amputation.... the fluids flow, along with audience screams and laughs. For fans of hard-core horror, this movie definitely delivers."(See all of Soren Andersen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 345 words, 04/05/13
Kevin C. Johnson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: OUTSTANDING(cg) "...intense... presents the best case ever for remaking old horror films.... the new movie does Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell proud..."(See all of Kevin C. Johnson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 438 words, 04/05/13
Steve Persall, Tampa Bay Times: GOOD(cg) "...isn't a bad movie, just one that doesn't raise (or lower) the bar on gore artistry as Raimi's did decades ago, and it's fair to compare."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 449 words, 04/05/13
Adam Graham, Detroit News: GOOD(cg) "...definitely not for the squeamish.... it works on a higher level than most horror films even if it doesn't match the inventiveness or ingenuity of the original."(See all of Adam Graham's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 297 words, 04/05/13
Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald: MODERATE(cg) "...why isn't there a single good scare in the entire film?... low on energy and thrills. It lacks the exuberance of the original, and it doesn't creep you out, either."(See all of Rene Rodriguez's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 615 words, 04/05/13
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (8 Reviews)
Chuck Wilson, Village Voice/LA Weekly: VERY GOOD "...wittily gory... a virtuoso feature debut... the plotting as a whole feels fresh, as does the emphasis on women strong enough to defend themselves."(See all of Chuck Wilson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 198 words, 04/03/13
Kristy Puchko, Cinema Blend: POOR(cg) "...overwrought with tired clichés, entrenched in a thoroughly somber tone, and peopled with barely there characters... soulless and sadistic."(See all of Kristy Puchko's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 930 words, 04/03/13
Scott Tobias, AV Club: EXCELLENT(cg) "...the film becomes absurd and weirdly infectious, an exercise in seeing how far the audience will bend without breaking. Only the flexible need apply."(See all of Scott Tobias's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 413 words, 04/04/13
Cynthia Fuchs, Pop Matters: MODERATE(cg) "The violences are especially graphic, per the film's upping of that ante.... a skull is smashed. Someone saws off their own jaw. And oh yes, someone is raped by trees."(See all of Cynthia Fuchs's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 869 words, 04/05/13
John Semley, Slant: VERY GOOD(cg) "...resurrects the original as it was: an inventive horror picture defined as much by its rickety backwoods chamber drama as its paroxysms of hyper-sticky arterial spray."(See all of John Semley's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 923 words, 04/04/13
Norman Wilner, Toronto Now: EXCELLENT(cg) "Alvarez establishes a tone of uncomfortable intensity and twists the sickening tension through one bravura effects sequence after another."(See all of Norman Wilner's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 172 words, 04/04/13
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: POOR(cg) "...terrifying? Hardly.... tediously ordinary.... How the hell could Sam Raimi give his stamp of approval to this slap in the face to his own work?"(See all of MaryAnn Johanson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 787 words, 04/03/13
HIGHBROW PRESS (4 Reviews)
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...doesn't have the original's wooden performances, puffy clothes and hairdos or its amusingly crude special effects, but it does share its blood lust."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 433 words, 04/05/13
Ian Buckwalter, NPR: VERY GOOD "...polished.... Effective scares, respectful nods to its inspiration and a few new twists.... This is one remake that succeeds on its own blood-soaked terms."(See all of Ian Buckwalter's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 729 words, 04/04/13
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: GOOD "...has a gleeful exuberance.... paying homage yet staking its own territory; it's scary without being downbeat, fun without being too jokey."(See all of Mark Olsen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 453 words, 04/05/13
Joe Leydon, Variety: GOOD "The rare remake that likely will be enjoyed most by diehard fans of its predecessor.... Jane Levy is believably beastly as the possessed Mia."(See all of Joe Leydon's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 660 words, 03/09/13
John DeFore, Hollywood Reporter: VERY GOOD "Blood-drenched.... delivers satisfyingly disgusting effects that serve an ever-accelerating action pace.... an entirely welcome remake."(See all of John DeFore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 644 words, 03/09/13
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: GOOD "...has a gleeful exuberance.... paying homage yet staking its own territory; it's scary without being downbeat, fun without being too jokey."(See all of Mark Olsen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 453 words, 04/05/13
Emanuel Levy, Cinema 24/7: GOOD(cg) "...not as good or impressive as the 1981 original, but it's a decent one, likely to satisfy the die-hard fans of Raimi as well as a new generation of horror aficionados."(See all of Emanuel Levy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 634 words, 04/03/13
Manohla Dargis, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...doesn't have the original's wooden performances, puffy clothes and hairdos or its amusingly crude special effects, but it does share its blood lust."(See all of Manohla Dargis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 433 words, 04/05/13
19.2 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Evil Dead (2013)'s reviews are separated by an average 19.2 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Evil Dead (2013) (41 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Evil Dead (2013)'s reviews cover 45.8% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 21,811 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 532 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 0.2 Hours Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Evil Dead (2013)'s reviews on average broke 0.2 hours before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Evil Dead (2013)'s opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Evil Dead (2013) (41 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
Mobile Web App version 1.2 shows a list of all current movies and review information. You can click through to the cast, director, synopsis, release date and rating on page two, plus individual reviews on page three. The information is updated on a live/real-time basis. You can also search our database of films. Designed for when you're on the move and want the latest info, this app will work on any mobile web browser. From your mobile device -- only from a mobile device -- open our Mobile Web App here...
