31 Days of Drafts and Darkness:

"Evil Dead" (2013)

Remakes, the new 'sequel' of the 2000's era. Though all genres are subject, it seems horror movies most commonly get brought back to the drawing board for various reimaginings, gritty reboots, and "fresh" spins. Most are lackluster affairs missing the charm of the original and churned out as nostalgic cash-grabs.

But some get things right.

The Plot:

Choosing to focus on the influence of the Necronomicon, the book of the dead, the 2013 "Evil Dead" remake wisely goes in its own direction rather than try to follow in the footsteps of the original. There is no Ash Williams-type character, just a band of hapless mortals stuck facing a demonic siege in a remote cabin. I was initially opposed to the idea of remaking "Evil Dead", especially when I heard that Bruce Campbell wouldn't be involved. How could you remake "Evil Dead" without Ash?

As it turns out, taking the story in a new direction works really well for "Evil Dead", as we're treated to all the familiar imagery but given a unique and unpredictable story to work with. It helps make the film both a loving nod to the original and while keeping it fresh.

The setup is the same, but framed a bit differently. Five friends drive out to a desolate cabin in the woods. They're not seeking a simple vacation, but rather a retreat to help their friend Mia kick a nasty drug habit that's ruined her life. Seeking isolation, the group tucks in for a rough weekend helping their friend go through withdrawals, but what they find winds up being nastier than they bargained for. Just like Ash and crew in the original, it isn't long before they stumble upon the old Necronomicon stashed in the basement. Bound in human flesh and written in blood, the old tome is written in some dead language and contains horrific imagery of human sacrifice.

Be a pity if someone were to try reading from it, huh?

Once a few passages are spoken aloud, hell literally breaks loose as a series of unseen demonic entities plague the group. Possessed in sequence, each is forced to literally take apart the other until the curse can be broken. Can someone - anyone - survive the night in one piece?

The Flavor:

Skeptical as I was, "Evil Dead" does many things right when it comes to retelling an old tale. The use of the drug-kicking subplot makes for a great setup, as when Mia starts seeing bizarre visions, the rest of the group justifiably assumes they're symptoms of the withdrawals. This causes them not only to force the ready-to-flee Mia to stay at the cabin, but gives them a reason to stick around as well. By the time Mia's possession fully sinks in and she starts trying to chop her friends to bits, it's already too late to leave.

I have to give actress Jane Levy serious props for her portrayal of Mia. She manages playing sympathetic, horrific, disgusting, and somehow heroic all in the same film. The possessions in the "Evil Dead" are no simple convulsions. Rather, they force the victim to self-mutilate themselves before going after others. Thus Mia happily carves through her own tongue with an Exacto knife before passing the possession onto her buddy via a bloody kiss. It's nasty and twisted, yet oddly funny, just like the original. And it's also just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to splatter.

Speaking of, the remake holds absolutely nothing back when it comes to gore. Thankfully leaning more towards classic makeup effects over CGI, "Evil Dead" throws all manner of bodily evisceration at the screen. You almost gotta give the film's heroes credit for sustaining so much punishment throughout and keep on fighting. What other horror movie protagonists keep going after having fingers broken and eyes stabbed? These guys do.

While the added grittiness does take away from a lot of the home-made charm that made the original so classic, director Fede Alvarez instead ups the raw brutality of the proceedings, but never in a way that makes you feel dirty. The movie is well aware of its spooky roots, and despite what sounds like a grueling tone, actually takes itself lightly enough that you'll have some fun with all its splatter. I know it sounds weird, but even the gore is presented in a very 'haunted house' kind of way that keeps the film from going too dark. 

Best Paired with:

Despite hitting the sweet spot between horrific and fun, "Evil Dead" is still likely too brutal in the violence department for casually viewers. The makeup FXs are impressive to behold, but are absolutely graphic in their depictions. Because the possessed bodies of the victims need not necessarily be alive for the demon to control them, it means they can anatomically take a lot more punishment than a mortal person would otherwise be able to. Bear that in mind.

For horror fans, especially those of the original "Evil Dead", you'll find the 2013 remake a solid entry and nice nod to the horror classic. Fans of the original will also most likely catch all the little Easter eggs and winks to the original, well beyond the obligatory chainsaw. Yes, of course there's a chainsaw. And yes, of course someone winds up with it for a hand.

Accompanying Brew:

For a dark film with a twisted edge, a brew equally as dark, but also different.

Magic Hat's Seance is a seasonal offering advertised as a saison-style beer. Also known as Belgian farmhouse-style ales, saisons are most often featured in the Spring and Summer months. Saisons most typically feature a blend of fruity and spicy flavor, with a bit hop kick and a lighter body. That's why they show up in the warmer months. Magic Hat's choice of going with a Fall spin on the style is surely unique, but then, Seance is no typical saison.

Though I expected a richer body and dark color, I was unprepared for the level of smoky flavor present in Seance. Most people aren't used to smoke-beers, brews where the grains are smoked over beechwood to impart an almost liquid-smoke taste. Seance isn't as powerfully smoke-laden as some of the more traditional smoke beers I've had, but the flavor is certainly there.

Nicely, the smokiness isn't too overpowering, and goes well with the slight spiciness and tang of the saison. The blend of flavors is one I'd never of previously considered, by Seance is a great execution of the idea. For those not used to smoke-beer, Seance's more mild use of the flavor makes it a great introduction without being too strong.

You think you know what to expect, and while both "Evil Dead" and Magic Hat Seance deliver on those expectations in part, they then take them in a totally different direction. Surprising, and a great pairing. Plus, how perfectly does a movie about possession compliment a brew with a name like Seance?