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Evil Dead Rise (2023) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Evil Dead Rise (2023) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2023 · 120 min · English
Echo score 71
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Directed by
Lee Cronin
Starring
Morgana Davies, Alyssa Sutherland, Billy Reynolds-McCarthy, Gabrielle Echols, Jayden Daniels, Lily Sullivan
Budget
$12M

While visiting her sister Ellie in a cramped Los Angeles apartment, Beth unwittingly unleashes a terrifying evil after discovering a mysterious book. Demonic forces are unleashed, possessing anyone in their path and plunging the building into chaos. Beth must now fight to protect her sister's children and confront unimaginable horrors as she battles for survival against a relentless and increasingly violent onslaught.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Evil Dead Rise
  9. 9 Every angle
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5 main characters · contains spoilers

Evil Dead Rise Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Evil Dead Rise (2023), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Beth

    Beth is a courageous guitar technician who, despite her own struggles, steps in to protect her family during a terrifying ordeal. Her strong bond with her sister Ellie is tested as she fights to save her nieces and nephew from supernatural threats.

    • 🛠️ Tech
    • 🦸‍♀️ Protector
    • 👩‍👧‍👦 Family
  • Ellie

    played by Alyssa Sutherland

    Ellie is a single mother who battles the possession of a sinister force while trying to protect her children. Her character represents the struggle of a parent to keep their family safe amidst chaos, even as her own safety is compromised.

    • 🧟‍♀️ Possessed
    • 🧑‍👧‍👦 Parent
    • 😞 Struggle
  • Kassie

    played by Nell Fisher

    Kassie is the youngest of the group, displaying innocence and resilience. As events unfold, her actions become vital to the family's survival, showcasing the unexpected strength that can emerge even from the most vulnerable.

    • 👧 Innocent
    • 💪 Resilience
    • 🔑 Key Role
  • Bridget

    played by Gabrielle Echols

    Bridget is a teenager facing peer pressures and the impact of newfound danger in her life. Her character arc highlights the tragic consequences of possession and the ensuing chaos that grips her family.

    • 👩‍🎤 Teen
    • 🪦 Tragic
    • 🚫 Danger
  • Danny

    played by Jayden Daniels

    Danny is a pivotal character whose discovery of the sinister book unravels the horror for his family. His attempts to save his mother illustrate both bravery and the consequences of meddling with dark forces.

    • 📚 Discoverer
    • 🚨 Heroic
    • ⚰️ Consequence

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:26

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8 characters · 13 connections · contains spoilers

Evil Dead Rise Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in Evil Dead Rise: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

How much of the story to show
BBethEEllieAlyssa SutherlandKKassieNell FisherBBridgetGabrielle EcholsDDannyJayden DanielsJJessicaTTeresaCCaleb

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:26

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Setting

Where and When Does Evil Dead Rise Take Place?

The setting of Evil Dead Rise (2023): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The story takes place in contemporary times, showcasing modern-day challenges faced by a single mother and her family. The narrative also references historical elements through the 1923 phonograph records, adding depth to the horror they encounter.

Location

Los Angeles, Lakeside Cabin

The movie takes place in Los Angeles, a bustling city known for its entertainment industry and diverse culture. It also features a serene lakeside cabin, contrasting the urban chaos, providing a backdrop for the horrific events that unfold during a family vacation.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🏞️ Nature

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:26

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3 major themes

Evil Dead Rise Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Evil Dead Rise (2023) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Supernatural Horror

    The film explores supernatural horror through the unsettling possession of characters by demonic entities known as Deadites. This theme illustrates the struggle between good and evil and the impact of dark forces on familial bonds.

  • Survival

    Survival is a central theme as the characters face life-or-death situations against overwhelming odds. The family must rely on their courage and resourcefulness to combat unimaginable horrors and protect one another.

  • Family Dynamics

    The theme of family dynamics is pivotal as the characters navigate relationships amid tragedy and chaos. The protective instincts of siblings and the challenges faced by a single mother underscore the importance of familial love and support in the face of darkness.

Last updated: October 21, 2026 at 18:26

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Character & theme questions

Evil Dead Rise Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Evil Dead Rise (2023): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Evil Dead Rise set?

Evil Dead Rise takes place primarily in Los Angeles, specifically in a cramped apartment where Beth visits her sister Ellie. The film also features a lakeside cabin during a family vacation, which provides a stark contrast to the urban setting and becomes the backdrop for the horrific events.

  • los angeles setting
  • apartment setting
  • lakeside cabin
  • evil dead rise location
Q2

When does Evil Dead Rise take place?

The story takes place in contemporary times, reflecting modern-day challenges faced by a single mother and her family. The film includes a 1923 phonograph record as a key plot element, adding historical depth to the horror encountered.

  • time period
  • contemporary setting
  • 1923 phonograph
  • modern day
Q3

What are the main themes in Evil Dead Rise?

Evil Dead Rise explores three primary themes: supernatural horror through demonic possession by Deadites, survival against overwhelming odds, and family dynamics. The film emphasizes the struggle between good and evil, the courage needed to protect family members, and how dark forces test familial bonds.

  • themes
  • supernatural horror
  • survival
  • family dynamics
  • possession
Q4

How does Evil Dead Rise explore family dynamics?

The film places family relationships at its core, showing a single mother's battle to protect her children while fighting possession. The protective instincts between siblings Beth and Ellie are tested as they unite against supernatural threats, highlighting how familial love and support persist even in the face of darkness.

  • family relationships
  • sibling bond
  • single mother
  • parental protection
  • family bonds
Q5

Who is Beth in Evil Dead Rise?

Beth is a courageous guitar technician who visits her sister Ellie in Los Angeles. Despite her own personal struggles, she steps up to protect her nieces and nephew when demonic forces unleash terror. Her strong bond with Ellie is tested as she battles to save the family from supernatural threats.

  • beth character
  • guitar technician
  • sister
  • protective role
  • main character
Q6

Who is Ellie in Evil Dead Rise?

Ellie is a single mother living in a Los Angeles apartment with her three children: Bridget, Kassie, and Danny. She represents the struggle of a parent fighting to keep her family safe amid chaos, even as she becomes compromised by the sinister demonic force possessing her.

  • ellie character
  • single mother
  • children
  • possessed character
  • mother role
Q7

Who is Kassie in Evil Dead Rise?

Kassie is the youngest member of the family, displaying innocence and resilience throughout the horror ordeal. Despite her vulnerability, her actions become increasingly vital to the family's survival, demonstrating how unexpected strength can emerge from the most vulnerable family members.

  • kassie character
  • youngest character
  • innocent
  • vulnerable character
Q8

What role does Danny play in Evil Dead Rise?

Danny is a pivotal character whose curiosity leads him to discover the sinister book that unleashes the demonic evil upon his family. His attempts to save his mother illustrate both bravery and the dangerous consequences of meddling with dark forces beyond human understanding.

  • danny character
  • book discovery
  • curious character
  • triggers events
Q9

What is the supernatural horror about in Evil Dead Rise?

Evil Dead Rise centers on demonic entities called Deadites that possess characters and unleash terrifying supernatural horror. The film illustrates the struggle between good and evil as these dark forces corrupt family members, turning parents against their children and creating psychological and physical terror.

  • deadites
  • demonic possession
  • supernatural evil
  • horror concept
  • demonic entities
Q10

Why does Evil Dead Rise feature both an apartment and a cabin?

The contrasting settings serve the story's tone: the cramped Los Angeles apartment represents urban chaos and everyday family life, while the secluded lakeside cabin provides isolation that intensifies the horror. This contrast heightens the sense of vulnerability as the family has nowhere to escape when the demonic forces attack.

  • apartment vs cabin
  • setting contrast
  • isolated location
  • horror setting

Movie threads

More Movies Like Evil Dead Rise, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Evil Dead Rise tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Claustrophobic siege horror movies like Evil Dead Rise

Characters are confined in a single location with an inescapable, violent threat. If you enjoyed the relentless, trapped feeling of Evil Dead Rise, explore more movies like it. These films feature characters besieged in confined locations by supernatural or monstrous threats, delivering high-intensity, brutal horror with a focus on survival against overwhelming odds.

  • claustrophobic
  • terrifying
  • brutal
  • oppressive
  • chaotic
  • desperate
  • Tone: dark, oppressive, terrifying
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a group of people in a contained environment, like an apartment, house, or bunker. An external or internal threat is introduced, quickly sealing them in and initiating a violent siege. The story unfolds as a linear battle for survival, with the setting itself becoming a character that amplifies the horror and limits options for escape.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on their shared core experience of confinement under duress. They feature a fast pace, high intensity, a dark tone, and a heavy emotional weight driven by the visceral fear of being trapped with a sadistic, unstoppable force. The focus is on the palpable dread of a shrinking safe space.

Family trauma and sacrifice horror movies like Evil Dead Rise

Supernatural evil tests the bonds of a fractured family, demanding ultimate sacrifice. For viewers who appreciated the heavy emotional core of Evil Dead Rise, this list features similar horror movies where the supernatural threat deeply impacts a family unit. Discover films like Evil Dead Rise that explore themes of maternal protection, familial duty, and the trauma of fighting a evil that preys on family bonds.

  • disturbing
  • tragic
  • tense
  • emotional
  • brutal
  • anxious
  • Tone: dark, tragic, heavy
  • Pacing: variable, with intense bursts
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative revolves around a family, often already dealing with internal strife, that is targeted by a supernatural force. The evil frequently manifests through or directly attacks the family structure, turning loved ones into threats. The emotional journey involves characters overcoming their personal demons and history to make immense sacrifices in a desperate attempt to save what remains of their family.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their central focus on family as both the source of vulnerability and the motivation for survival. They share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and the disturbing theme of a protector becoming a threat. The horror is amplified by the personal stakes and the tragic cost of survival.

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Movies Like Evil Dead Rise

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Every angle

Evil Dead Rise (2023) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Evil Dead Rise in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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