The Evil Dead is peak 1980s horror cinema. It has a rather cheeky blend of horror and comedy and, despite the fact that it was an independent production, it nevertheless managed to become quite a success, and it cemented Sam Raimi’s status as a director to watch. It is, in many ways, a one-of-a-kind sort of movie, the sort of thing that springs from the mind of a great director. In others, however, it has a lot in common with some other movies.
Thus, fans of this one have a lot to choose from when it comes to other movies to enjoy.
The Omen (1976)
Though it lacks the comedic elements, tremendous horror film. It centers on a boy named Damien who, it turns out, is actually the Antichrist, having been born of a jackal.
However, like The Evil Dead, it does involve some elements of ancient Near East mythology. In this case, a group of daggers that are supposed to have come from Meggido and which might hold the key to destroying this evil child before he can grow up to become a true monster.
Cabin In The Woods (2011)
This movie is one of the finest examples of horror comedy that one is likely to find. That’s understandable, when one of the writers was Joss Whedon, well-known for his ability to bring these two genres into brilliant juxtaposition.
In this case, a group of teens are brought to a cabin in the woods where they are forced to take part in a grisly ritual designed to placate dark and dangerous gods. It’s more than a bit bizarre, of course, but it also has its brilliant moments.
The Witch (2015)
The Witch is one of those movies that leaves an indelible impression on the viewer. It takes place in the early colonial days of America, when religious fervor was at its height and people lived in fear of the unknown forest.
A young girl named Thomasin goes with her family into that dark space, where they soon find themselves confronted by the titular witch, a truly terrifying being. It’s a dark and thrilling sort of movie, exquisitely crafted and excellently performed.
An American Werewolf In London (1981)
The 1980s was one of those decades that really did seem to lean into the horror genre. At the same time, it was also a decade that really loved its comedy, so it makes sense that there would be a significant number of horror comedies made, and An American Werewolf in London is one of the best of these.
It really does manage to find a balance between these two impulses, and while viewers will be genuinely disturbed (particularly by how horrifying the werewolf is), they also won’t be able to help themselves from laughing.
Tusk (2014)
There’s something innately ridiculous about the idea of a man getting sewn into a walrus suit so that his captor can re-enact some sort of traumatic incident from his own youth, but that’s exactly what viewers get in Tusk.
Obviously, the movie is intended to be more than a bit ridiculous, particularly the finale, but it has to be said that there is something genuinely horrifying about it as well, and it is in this strange mix that the movie's true brilliance lies.
Drag Me To Hell (2009)
Sometimes, a movie's title says it all. This movie is, one has to it, a bit absurd, since it involves a young woman who gets cursed that she will be dragged to Hell.
However, it has its chilling moments, and one has to it that Sam Raimi has a keen eye for what makes a horror movie work. One could wish, though, that they could have come up with a better title to what is supposed to be a straight horror movie (with very little, if any, comedy).
The Ruins (2008)
There’s something frightening about wild spaces, about those places that have, somehow, resisted the thrust of civilization. This movie combines that unsettling feeling with a trip to Mayan ruins, in which a group of tourists find themselves confronting terrifying vines that devour human flesh.
As silly as the premise sounds, there are several points in the movie that are genuinely disturbing and, of course, they call to mind the demonically possessed trees in The Evil Dead.
The Exorcist (1973)
One of the most random aspects of The Evil Dead is the inclusion of Sumerian mythology. Even today this seems like rather an odd choice, even though the movie manages to make it worse.
Though The Exorcist is most famous for being a story about possession, many viewers will recall that there is a bit of ancient Near Eastern mythology thrown in here, as well. Clearly, there is something about that period and that place in the world that inspires the horror genre.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
This movie is one of the masterpieces of the horror genre and, like so many others, it deals with the issue of the Antichrist and demonic possession. In this case, the focus is the titular Rosemary, who has been chosen to be the one to bear that child.
Despite its disturbing nature, the movie actually has some genuinely funny moments, in large part due to the presence of Ruth Gordon, an actress known more for her appearances in a number of comedies than anything like this.
Army Of Darkness (1992)
As horror fans know, Army of Darkness is the third movie in the Evil Dead franchise and, while it may not have been as successful as its predecessors, it still holds up surprisingly well, earning its status as a cult movie.
It’s a bit of a bizarre addition to the two movies that came before it, but there’s no denying that the movie has a lot of charm, due to both Raimi’s continuing skill as a director and the charisma of the cast.
