Evil Dead Rise 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Evil Dead Rise 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Now with bonus features.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III October 25, 2023

Several months after WB's release of the North American 4K/Blu-ray combo pack as well as the much more expensive French Steelbook, Best Buy and WB have unleashed a domestic Steelbook edition of Lee Cronin's Evil Dead Rise, this year's surprisingly solid continuation of the long-running horror franchise. Deluxe packaging is often enough reason for fans to spend a few extra bucks, but this Steelbook also shrewdly adds two on-disc extras to the formerly featureless home video release. This is an annoying but probably short-lived trend, like buying Steelbooks at Best Buy.

For a synopsis and critique of the main feature, see my earlier review of WB's wide-release 4K/Blu-ray combo pack. Brian Orndorf also penned an even more positive take on the film in his theatrical review back in April.

Evil Dead Rise 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For my thoughts on the 2160p/1080p transfers, please see my review of WB's 4K/Blu-ray combo pack. Please note that the addition of new bonus features doesn't seem to have affected the encoding of this dual-layered disc.

Evil Dead Rise 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For my thoughts on the Dolby Atmos audio, please see my review of the 4K/Blu-ray combo pack.

Evil Dead Rise 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This two-disc release ships in matte-finish Steelbook packaging with an image of a beckoning post-possession Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) in profile backlit against a pale gold background. Its back cover depicts the integral cheese grater -- three words I've never typed in succession before -- and the interior splash shows the same grater after it's been put to good use. Both discs sit on overlapping hubs on the right-hand side, which makes it a gruesome surprise every time. The disc artwork is identical to WB's previous combo pack aside from a designation of "Special Edition" under the 4K's title. Overall, it's a good-looking design that, despite the lack of image variety, fits the main feature like a glove.

Also tucked inside is a Digital Copy code and the following two Steelbook-exclusive extras (4K only):

• Audio Commentary - This full-length group track features writer/director Lee Cronin with lead actors Lily Sullivan ("Beth") and Alyssa Sutherland, who deliver a delightfully chatty and laid-back commentary despite the fact that Sullivan and Sutherland are new to the format. Unsurprisingly, Cronin leads the conversation but also serves as moderator, frequently inviting the actors to share their memories of the on- set experience and other parts of the process. Other topics of interest include the bookending sequences, working around COVID, retakes, set design and makeup, favorite scenes, character dynamics, on-set gossip, the visual effects, and much more. It's not the deepest audio commentary out there, but a casually enjoyable one nonetheless.

• Raising a New Evil Dead (6:53) - This disappointingly short and promotional-style featurette includes brief video interview clips with executive producer Bruce Campbell, Lee Cronin, Lily Sullivan, production designer Nick Bassett, Alyssa Sutherland, actor Gabrielle Echols ("Bridget"), producer Rob Tapart, makeup/FX supervisor Lukie Poiti, and several others. It's all too brief for its own good, but there's some decent footage of the set and props being built as well as makeup application. But hey, don't take my word for it: watch this featurette here.

Evil Dead Rise 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lee Cronin's Evil Dead Rise is a solid spiritual successor in an enduring franchise with no real prerequisite knowledge needed, making it an accessible entry point for new fans but familiar enough to satisfy seasoned vets. It does a number of things extremely well: the pacing is tight (aside from the bookending segments, which are frankly pointless), Alyssa Sutherland's performance is bananas and, perhaps most importantly, it commits to the ultra-bleak atmosphere and doesn't skimp on the gore. Best Buy's exclusive Steelbook variant, offered months after WB's wide-release 4K/Blu-ray combo pack, shrewdly adds in a few 4K-only extras to the formerly barebones title. It's not exactly the most above-board release strategy, but the end result is marginally more enticing than "just a packaging upgrade".