It’s often difficult to maintain freshness and originality when a film franchise reaches its fifth installment, with keeping things inventive while still honoring what made the initial movie successful proving to be a significant hurdle. Many horror franchises—including “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th,” “SAW,” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street”—struggled to evolve while remaining true to their roots, ultimately failing to replicate the magic of the first film. "Evil Dead Rise" manages to sidestep this pitfall, presenting a bold reimagining of the series by abandoning the familiar remote cabin setting in favor of an urban environment. The movie initially establishes itself in a secluded lakeside area before flashing back a day earlier to California, where estranged sisters Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) and Beth (Lilly Sullivan) reconnect. Beth works as a guitar technician and takes offense when her sister refers to her as a groupie. Ellie is raising three children after their father’s departure and informs Beth that their building is slated for demolition, which comes as a shock since she recently discovered she's pregnant and is trying to sort out her life while facing unexpected instability. An earthquake reveals a concealed area within the parking garage—a former bank—and the kids discover a hidden book and records. The only son, Danny (Morgan Davies), hopes to sell them, despite his sister Bridget’s (Gabrielle Echols) constant warnings to leave it alone and return it to its original spot. This book turns out to be a Necronomicon, or “Book of the Dead,” and as series fans know, nothing good ever comes from messing with one. Through playing old records left by a Priest detailing his thoughts on the book, an incantation is read aloud, causing Ellie to become possessed and unleash gruesome violence and terror upon her family. What follows is a frequently intense and bloody game of cat and mouse, interspersed with moments of dark humor as the demonic possession shows no signs of stopping. The film delivers the over-the-top gore that’s characteristic of the series, and the makeup and effects are impressively done. Writer/Director Lee Cronin has successfully captured the tone of the franchise while pushing it forward, cleverly incorporating lines and references without them feeling contrived. Some viewers might find the amount of blood excessive, but the series has always been known for its extreme nature; the combination of horror and comedic parody is what made the original film so successful. Ultimately, "Evil Dead Rise" satisfies fans of the franchise and suggests that more installments are possible. 3.5 stars out of 5

Source on TMDB