How 6,500 Liters of Fake Blood Created the Most Successful Evil Dead Film
In short: The 2023 horror hit Evil Dead Rise revitalized a legendary franchise by moving the terror from a remote cabin to a claustrophobic apartment building. With a massive reliance on practical effects and over 6,500 liters of synthetic gore, the film became the highest-grossing entry in the series' long history.
Directed by Lee Cronin, Evil Dead Rise serves as the fifth installment in the long-running horror franchise. The production, which took place in New Zealand between June and October 2021, opted for a gritty, tactile aesthetic. Rather than relying on computer-generated imagery, the team utilized extensive practical effects, including a bathroom set built on hydraulics to simulate an earthquake and a steel-framed elevator capable of being dropped to heighten the tension.
The film's signature sequence—an homage to The Shining where an elevator floods with blood—required a 6,000-liter tank and a forklift to execute. To maintain this level of visceral detail throughout the film, the production commissioned a custom recipe of food-based dyes, water, and high-fructose corn syrup from a commercial manufacturer. This commitment to practical craft extended to the sound design, where Bruce Campbell, an executive producer and franchise veteran, provided foley work by furiously eating an apple to simulate gruesome munching sounds.
Originally intended for a streaming-only release on HBO Max, the film was shifted to theaters following exceptionally positive test screenings. This decision proved lucrative; the film grossed $147 million worldwide against a $19 million negative pickup cost, netting a $46 million profit. The success has prompted the franchise stewards—Sam and Ivan Raimi—to develop a narrative 'Bible' to connect future installments, with plans to release new entries every two to three years.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Evil Dead Rise
- Also: Wikidata — Evil Dead Rise · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-evil-dead-rise.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
