The Evil Dead (1981)

Detailed Summary

Introduction: The Cabin in the Woods

The movie opens with five college students—Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell), his girlfriend Linda, Ash’s sister Cheryl, their friend Scott, and his girlfriend Shelly—heading to a secluded cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway. The cabin is run-down, and the group notices strange occurrences from the very beginning, setting an eerie tone.

The Book of the Dead: Necronomicon Ex-Mortis

Once inside the cabin, the group discovers a tape recorder and a mysterious book bound in human skin, the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis (the “Book of the Dead”). Curious, they play the recording, which features an archaeologist explaining the book’s history and reading aloud an incantation that unwittingly awakens ancient evil spirits in the woods.

Cheryl’s Possession and The Evil’s Awakening

Cheryl, feeling uneasy, steps outside alone and is attacked by the evil spirits in one of the film’s most infamous scenes—where tree branches come to life and assault her. She returns to the cabin hysterical, but the others don’t believe her. Soon after, she becomes the first to be possessed by the demonic force.

Her possession kicks off a chain reaction of horrific events. Cheryl attacks the group, becoming a grotesque, violent version of herself, as she attempts to kill the others. The demonic force, now unleashed, will not stop until all the students are dead or possessed.

The Carnage Begins: One by One

Scott tries to flee but quickly realizes that the bridge leading to the cabin has been destroyed, trapping them all. The demonic forces start taking over one victim after another. Shelly is next to be possessed, and in a gruesome fight, Scott dismembers her to stop her from attacking.

Soon after, Scott himself is mortally wounded, and Ash is left to fend for himself against Linda, who becomes possessed. Ash is forced to kill her, even though it deeply wounds him emotionally. The constant barrage of gore, dismemberment, and terrifying visuals makes it a relentless assault on both the characters and the audience.

The Showdown: Ash Alone

By the film’s final act, Ash is the last one standing. With Cheryl and Scott now turned into Deadites (the term later coined for the possessed), Ash is forced to fight them off. After an intense battle that involves a chainsaw, a shotgun, and a lot of blood, Ash manages to destroy the Necronomicon by throwing it into the fire. The possessed bodies of his friends disintegrate in a gruesome, stop-motion sequence.

The Final Stinger

Ash believes he has survived, but as the film ends, the demonic force rushes toward him, implying that the nightmare is far from over. The film ends on a cliffhanger, leaving Ash’s fate uncertain.

Movie Ending

The ending of The Evil Dead is both shocking and ambiguous. After defeating the Deadites and destroying the Necronomicon, Ash stands alone in the now-destroyed cabin. However, just as he thinks the nightmare is over, the demonic force from the woods charges at him, and the film cuts to black—implying that the evil might still claim him. This open-ended finale paved the way for sequels and cemented The Evil Dead as a cult phenomenon.

Are There Post-Credits Scene?

No, The Evil Dead does not feature a post-credits scene. The ominous ending leaves the audience with an unsettling feeling, setting up future installments without needing a teaser.

Type of Movie

The Evil Dead is a supernatural horror film with elements of splatter, gore, and dark humor. It’s a quintessential cabin-in-the-woods horror story that blends psychological terror with brutal, physical violence.

Cast

• Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams
• Ellen Sandweiss as Cheryl Williams
• Hal Delrich as Scott
• Betsy Baker as Linda
• Theresa Tilly as Shelly

Film Music and Composer

The eerie and atmospheric score was composed by Joseph LoDuca, who would go on to score the sequels as well. His work on The Evil Dead combines orchestral elements with unsettling soundscapes, enhancing the tension and dread throughout the film.

Filming Locations

The Evil Dead was shot on location in Morristown, Tennessee in a remote cabin. The isolation of the cabin added authenticity to the movie’s atmosphere. This rural location played a significant role in creating the eerie and claustrophobic feel of the movie, as the dense woods and dilapidated cabin made for a perfect setting for supernatural horror.

Awards and Nominations

While The Evil Dead didn’t win major awards upon release, it has since been recognized as one of the greatest horror films of all time. Over the years, it has earned numerous accolades, including being listed as one of the best horror films by outlets such as Empire Magazine and Entertainment Weekly.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The film had a tiny budget of about $350,000, with much of the funding coming from family and friends of the director and producer.
• The fake blood used in the movie was a mix of corn syrup, food coloring, and coffee, resulting in a sticky mess that often left the actors uncomfortable.
• The shooting conditions were brutal—the cast and crew often worked in freezing temperatures, and the cabin didn’t have heating.
• Bruce Campbell injured himself multiple times during production, which added to the authenticity of Ash’s battered appearance.
• The movie was shot using creative camera techniques, including Sam Raimi’s now-famous “shaky cam” to represent the point of view of the demonic force.

Inspirations and References

The movie was heavily influenced by H.P. Lovecraft’s works, especially the idea of ancient, unknowable evil forces. Sam Raimi also cited George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead and Mario Bava’s Black Sunday as inspirations for the blend of horror and gore.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no widely known alternate endings for The Evil Dead. However, some scenes were trimmed down due to censorship issues, especially those involving extreme gore. Sam Raimi was forced to cut parts of the film to avoid an X-rating.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is not based on a specific book, but it shares thematic elements with Lovecraftian horror and old tales of cursed books and forbidden knowledge. The concept of the Necronomicon, the evil book that unleashes the demonic spirits, was directly inspired by Lovecraft’s mythos.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The infamous tree assault on Cheryl.
• Ash discovering that his girlfriend Linda has become possessed.
• The final battle, where Ash faces off against multiple Deadites and manages to burn the Necronomicon.

Iconic Quotes

• Ash: “We can’t bury Shelly. She’s a friend of ours.”
• Cheryl (as a Deadite): “You will die! Like the others before you. One by one, we will take you.”
• Linda (as a Deadite): “We’re gonna get you, we’re gonna get you, not another peep, time to go to sleep.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The tape recorder that plays the incantations was a nod to classic horror films that rely on cursed objects to drive the plot.
• The film features a cameo from the 1978 classic horror film The Hills Have Eyes poster in the basement, which Sam Raimi included as a homage to Wes Craven.
• The Oldsmobile Delta 88 car that Ash drives in the movie became a signature in Sam Raimi’s films, appearing in later Evil Dead films and even in Spider-Man (2002).

Trivia

• The film was originally titled “Book of the Dead”, but the name was changed after producers feared that audiences wouldn’t want to see a movie that sounded like it was about literature.
• Stephen King was a huge fan of the movie and his positive review helped it gain wider distribution.
• Raimi used stop-motion animation for some of the more surreal visual effects, especially in the final disintegration scenes.

Why Watch?

The Evil Dead is a must-watch for horror enthusiasts who enjoy gory practical effects, creative camera work, and a mix of both terror and dark humor. Despite its modest budget, it remains one of the most inventive and influential horror films ever made.

Director’s Other Movies

• Evil Dead II (1987)
• Army of Darkness (1992)
• Spider-Man (2002)
• Drag Me to Hell (2009)
• Darkman (1990)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Evil Dead II (1987)
• Army of Darkness (1992)
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)