Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Drag Me to Hell 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 22, 2024

After the 1993 release of “Army of Darkness,” fans of director Sam Raimi clamored for a fourth cinematic entry in his adored “Evil Dead” series of horror extravaganzas. “Drag Me to Hell” represents the filmmaker’s first meaty scare effort since he spent nearly a decade making the successful, Tobey Maguire-led “Spider-Man” trilogy, but the 2009 endeavor might as well be subtitled “The Evil Dead Movie You’ve Been Waiting For.” A wicked, highly stylized fright flick, “Drag Me to Hell” brings out the good-humored Sam Raimi we all know and love, returning to a familiar cinematic playground to reawaken his rascally spirit, which was diluted some during studio assignments. Raimi hasn’t lost his touch in the years since he last toyed with screwball scares, and the picture is an impressive reminder that when unchained, he can deliver the finest, wettest, sickest entertainment around.

A loan officer at a Los Angeles bank, Christine (Alison Lohman) is eager to nab an open assistant manager position, competing against a brown- nosing rookie (Reggie Lee) for the honor. Christine faces a crucial professional test in Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver), an unsightly Gypsy woman unable to pay her mortgage, literally begging Christine for a second chance. After her pleas are ignored, Ganush attacks and places a deadly curse on Christine that brings three days of shadowy torment from the Lamia, a horned creature who toys mercilessly with its victims. On a race to break the curse before it rips her apart, Christine turns to seer Rham Jas (Dileep Rao) for guidance and boyfriend Clay (Justin Long) for support as she desperately searches for a way to free herself from unspeakable doom.

Two versions of “Drag Me to Hell” are available on this release: a Theatrical Cut (98:59) and an Unrated Cut (98:50).

For additional information and analysis, please read Blu-ray coverage from 2009 and 2018 .

Drag Me to Hell 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray

"Drag Me to Hell" has been previously issued on Blu-ray in 2009 and 2018. For 2024, the movie arrives on UHD, listed as a "new scan from the original DI film negative approved by Sam Raimi and Bob Murawski." Perhaps this isn't going to be a huge leap in quality for the 2009 effort, but the movie offers a stable viewing experience that does relatively well juggling the production's extreme color choices. Golden looks at domestic life and colder views of evil activity are preserved, along with the brightness of bank events. Hues offer subtleties on decorative additions, especially around séance action and shop tours. Blood is deep red. Skin tones are natural. Greenery is distinct. Detail reaches as far as possible, doing well with skin surfaces, examining moments of beauty and beastliness, including crisp makeup additions. Costuming is fibrous, and fine hair is appreciable. Blacks are deep at times, and shadow play is largely preserved. Highlights are tasteful. Source is in good condition.

Drag Me to Hell 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

"Drag Me to Hell" offers an active listening experience, as the 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix pushes extremely hard to support the nightmare elements of the story. Dialogue exchanges are clear, preserving softer emotionality and louder offerings of panic. Scoring delivers defined instrumentation and dramatic support, and musical moods work into the surrounds for a more immersive event. Sound effects are prioritized, finding swirling elements of doom and torment playing with movement and separation, adding greatly to attack and intimidation moments. Low-end provides weight with violent encounters.

Drag Me to Hell 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc 1

• "Pardon my Curse" (114:26, HD) is the making-of for "Drag Me to Hell," featuring interviews with editor Bob Murawski, cinematographer Peter Deming, production designer Steve Saklad, co-writer/co-producer Ivan Raimi (audio only), producer Grant Curtis, prop designer Christian Cordella, costume designer Isis Mussenden, special effects supervisor Jim Schwalm, prop master Ellen Freund, special makeup effects designer Greg Nicotero, co-producer Cristen Carr Strubbe, stunt double Lisa Hoyle, puppeteer Shannon Shea, composer Christopher Young, and actors Alison Lohman, Lorna Raver, and Dileep Rao. There's no Sam Raimi here, but there's plenty of footage of the director at work, overseeing the complicated steps of production on the feature. This is an extensive overview of on-set labor and planning, utilizing plenty of BTS footage. Interviewees are also helpful, examining their participation in the movie and their feelings for the Raimi Experience, finding some of the crew dating back to the "Evil Dead" days.

Disc 2

• "To Hell and Back" (12:36, HD) is an interview with actress Alison Lohman, who immediately identifies long hours on the set of "Drag Me to Hell" to meet schedule demands. Lohman was offered the role by director Sam Raimi, who promised a rough shoot for the actress, but she responds positively to the helmer and his horror appetites. Co-stars are fondly recalled, noting special physical intimacy with actress Lorna Raver. The interviewee also identifies her most difficult scene to shoot, and she describes the movie's climax as "unfair" to her character.

• "Curses!" (15:58, HD) is an interview with actress Lorna Raver, who recalls her audition process, only receiving pieces of the script at a time, unsure what she was getting involved with. Characterization is analyzed, and preparation is highlighted, working on her accent and physical movement, putting her all into stunt sequences.

• "Hitting All the Right Notes" (17:09, HD) is an interview with composer Christopher Young, who was immediately smitten with the work of Sam Raimi after watching "The Evil Dead." After joining Raimi on "The Gift" and "Spider-Man 3," Young returned to duty, delighted to get into the wicked ways of "Drag Me to Hell." The creative process is detailed, as Young was tasked to balance horror and humor, reinforcing the terror of scenes.

• "Production Video Diaries" (35:09) is a featurette "hosted" by Justin Long covering all the major facets of production: special effects, set design, acting, makeup, stunts, wire-work, and sound design. Interviews with cast and crew keep the mood fun, while generous on-set footage backs up the arguments. While assembled during filming (always something of a disappointment), the featurette is still enjoyable, especially watching Lohman handle a blood hose up her nose, the challenges of shooting with a live goat, and the revelation that Lorna Raver, here playing unwavering evil, is perhaps the most jovial, endearing member of the production.

• Vintage Interviews (33:37, SD) provide junket chats with director Sam Raimi and actors Alison Lohman and Justin Long.

• T.V. Spots (:49, SD) provide two commercials for "Drag Me to Hell."

• Image Gallery (2:11) collects publicity shots, BTS snaps, marketing art, and film stills.

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:21, HD) is included.

Drag Me to Hell 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Drag Me to Hell" is loud, boisterous entertainment, eager to please viewers doing their best to surf the gruesome particulars of the Lamia curse, while peppering in plenty of Raimi-isms for the hardcore fans. It's an efficient, exceptional shocker that serves up bucketfuls of jolts and icks with eye-bulging enthusiasm, and it's a thrill to watch Raimi furiously twirl the knobs on a genre he excels in.