As a long-time fan of Sam Raimi‘s work and someone who has witnessed his evolution as a director from the Evil Dead days to the Spider-Man trilogy, I must say that Drag Me to Hell is an absolute gem! This horror flick, now streaming on Peacock, marks Raimi’s return to his roots after making some of the biggest movies of the 2000s. And let me tell you, it’s a thrilling ride that feels like a strong dose of all that he brings to the table, just as I had hoped it would be!
2009 saw the release of “Drag Me to Hell,” a horror film directed by Sam Raimi and co-written with his brother Ivan. This was Raimi’s first major foray into horror since he took up directing two decades earlier, as well as his first project outside the Spider-Man series since “The Gift” under Paramount Pictures. After creating some of the most successful films in the 2000s, Raimi decided to focus on a smaller scale project, returning to the genre roots that made him a filmmaker. He drew upon a story he and his brother had conceived, blending a straightforward moral tale within the framework of a chilling supernatural horror movie. The plot reaches a shocking climax with a surprising twist ending. Now streaming on Peacock.
The plot of ‘Drag Me to Hell’ is delightfully straightforward: To show her boss that she deserves a promotion at the bank, Christine (Alison Lohman) shows determination by refusing a mortgage extension to an elderly, financially struggling woman (Lorna Raver). Enraged, the woman casts a curse on Christine, giving her only three days left to live. Once those days pass, a demon will come as the title suggests and take her away. In the meantime, terrifying supernatural events will intrude upon Christine’s life, causing chaos and disrupting her entire existence, with each event unfolding as a classic Raimi-style spectacle.
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In my perspective as an enthusiast, you’re immersed in a thrilling tale where time ticks ominously, a chilling supernatural force lurks, and a dash of magical mischief is always around the corner. The terror kicks off swiftly as the old woman intrudes upon Christine’s dreams, transforming her peaceful slumber into a horrifying nightmare. Moreover, the film’s standout moment – the electrifying parking garage brawl between Christine and the old woman – not only sets the stage for the curse but also offers an unforgettable experience. Despite its supernatural elements, this movie serves as an engaging introduction to the mystical world of a character like Doctor Strange due to its dark magic and exploration of otherworldly forces.
Raimi’s films aren’t isolated; he consistently incorporates lessons from past projects into his future works. This is evident in the movie Drag Me to Hell, which exhibits visual cues and directorial decisions reminiscent of his time on the Spider-Man trilogy. The signature Raimi energy can be seen in the camera work, but it seems more intensified this time, particularly when we’re viewing Christine in her apartment or at her workplace. Unlike simply following her actions, Raimi moves around her, employing rapid dollies and dynamic compositions that amplify the suspense by repeatedly emphasizing the malevolent forces at play. Each new torment experienced by Christine pulls the audience into the chaos as well, with the camera spiraling and darting through her world in a manner that symbolizes the evil pursuing her soul.
Just as Raimi’s visual style in “Drag Me to Hell” is a culmination of his previous work, so too is its storyline. The director who made a name for himself with the intense visual and narrative elements of the “Evil Dead” series has since navigated the family-friendly blockbuster landscape. This experience has only increased his fondness for PG-13 genre films. While “Drag Me to Hell” may lack the gore of “Evil Dead”, it maintains its distinctive tonal and visual characteristics. Yet, this is a more mature and skilled Raimi, channeling all his expertise as a genre filmmaker into a gripping and straightforward tale about a woman pursued by something from which there can be no escape.
In his work, whether it’s a fight scene set tightly within the car’s front seat or a grotesque dinner party sequence, Raimi consistently pushes the boundaries of the PG-13 rating towards R-rated content, without actually crossing that line or sacrificing his dark, eerie style. This style is evident in the film “Multiverse of Madness.” Similarly, in “Hell,” Raimi explores his protagonist’s struggle with their actions’ supernatural repercussions, a theme that also appears in the upcoming sequel featuring Doctor Strange.
Despite all else, what truly sets “Drag Me to Hell” apart as a precursor to “Multiverse of Madness” is Sam Raimi’s skillful blend of the familiar with the extraordinary. This fusion offers a comforting sense of predictability, making you think you know where the story is headed. However, Raimi masterfully subverts these expectations, delivering a whirlwind of a movie complete with a possessed talking goat and a fight scene involving a ruler and a stapler as its main weapons. To top it off, the ending is both shockingly dark and darkly humorous, a hallmark of Raimi’s distinctive style.
The film “Drag Me to Hell” was brought into existence by Sam Raimi, the director of his successful “Spider-Man” series, and it achieved this by creating a contemporary horror masterpiece that’s visually captivating and narratively intriguing. It’s an uncompromising, full-throttle rollercoaster ride of a movie, and that seems to be the kind of enthusiasm he’s bringing to “Multiverse of Madness”. For the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), there are certainly worse fates. Having Raimi infuse it with a potent dose of his unique talents is not one of them.
So go watch Drag Me to Hell streaming on Peacock now, because Drag Me to Hell rules.
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2024-10-22 23:31