‘Evil Dead Rise’ is a 2023 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Lee Cronin. This film is a standalone story and is the fifth part in the ‘Evil Dead’ film series. It stars Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland as two sisters who try to save their family from evil creatures known as deadites. The film also features Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, and Nell Fisher, who makes her film debut.
Prior to the production of this picture, there were plans for direct sequels to ‘Evil Dead’ (2013) and ‘Army of Darkness’ (1992), as well as a fourth season of ‘Ash vs Evil Dead’ (2015-2018), but all were canceled. By October 2019, Sam Raimi confirmed that a new film was in the works. Rob Tapert produced the film, and Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell served as executive producers. Lee Cronin was picked as writer and director. New Line Cinema was involved in the production of the picture. The primary photography was held in New Zealand from June to October 2021. Although it was originally scheduled to premiere on HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures decided to distribute it in theaters first, following positive test screenings.
The film features strong performances from Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, and Nell Fisher. Unlike the earlier movies in the series that were set in a remote cabin, this film is set in a modern-day urban environment in Los Angeles. The film’s change of setting means more possibilities for intense and gory scenes. If you are curious about where ‘Evil Dead Rise’ was filmed, here are the details!
Where was “Evil Dead Rise” Filmed?
Most of ‘Evil Dead Rise’ was filmed in Auckland, New Zealand. The shooting started on June 6, 2021, after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and finished on October 27, 2021. The film used over 6,500 liters of fake blood to create its gory scenes.
Auckland, New Zealand
The movie was mainly shot in Auckland, making use of various features of this large city. While much of the film’s action takes place in Ellie’s apartment, a few scenes were shot in and around a rural residence in the woods. Although the film’s setting is urban, director Lee Cronin thought of the apartment as a kind of cabin in the woods, and the hallways and other parts of the building as the forest.
In an interview with AU Review, actresses Alyssa Sutherland and Lily Sullivan talked about the filming experience. Lily mentioned that the final scenes were particularly challenging. She said, “The end sequence was very long. Each location was built in the studio, and the car park section felt like a video game with all the blood and guts. The final part was filmed after a nine-week lockdown, which was quite tough.”
The film also used the facilities of one of Auckland’s film studios. In several exterior shots, you can see local landmarks and parks such as the National Bank Centre, Auckland Domain, Albert Park, Myers Park, Western Park, and Victoria Park.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Evil Dead Rise
Q: Where was ‘Evil Dead Rise’ filmed?
A: ‘Evil Dead Rise’ was filmed primarily in Auckland, New Zealand. The production utilized various locations within the city, including local landmarks and parks. Some scenes were shot in a studio, and rural locations in Auckland were used to capture certain scenes.
Q: When did the filming of ‘Evil Dead Rise’ begin and end?
A: Filming for ‘Evil Dead Rise’ began on June 6, 2021, after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The principal photography wrapped up on October 27, 2021.
Q: When was ‘Evil Dead Rise’ released?
A: ‘Evil Dead Rise’ was released in theaters on April 21, 2023. Although it was initially planned for a streaming release on HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures decided to give it a theatrical release first.
Q: Were there any specific locations in Auckland used for filming?
A: Yes, several well-known locations in Auckland were used for filming. The production team shot in a variety of locations throughout the city, including parks and monuments such as the National Bank Centre, Auckland Domain, Albert Park, Myers Park, Western Park, and Victoria Park.
Q: Why was Auckland chosen as the filming location for ‘Evil Dead Rise’?
A: Auckland was chosen as the filming location to give a unique backdrop for the film while remaining true to the series’ classic horror aspects. Director Lee Cronin saw the apartment setting in an urban environment as a modern twist on the classic cabin-in-the-woods situation, with hallways and other portions of the building serving as the “forest” for the film’s horror moments.
