Evil Dead 2 (1987)

As the audience, we know several things about horror and can expect certain themes and ideas to be present. Things like jumpscares, gore, suspense, and death are present in most horror films as well as stereotypical characters like the jock, the stoner, the dumb blonde and the final girl. Another thing to expect from horror movies is for the character to make really stupid, unrealistic decisions, like walking toward the scary noise or splitting up. These ideas aren’t new. In fact, most of these ideas come from classic horror movies and have become a staple to the genre.

A visual technique that Evil Dead 2 uses is the camera movement. Various scenes in the film show us the perspective of the evil force where it moves quickly and chases Ash, creating suspense and tension. It also gives the feeling that death is approaching and inescapable. Another visual technique is the use of stop motion. Certain scenes show a stop motion animated monster which gives an eerie, uncanny vibe to the movie. An additional visual technique featured is foreshadowing. In particular, they foreshadow the use of chainsaw and the shed, showing it in earlier scenes until the end of the movie where they build his chainsaw hand in the shed. The film takes place in a cabin in the middle of the woods, isolated from the rest of the world, giving the viewer a sense that no help is coming.

The first pivotal moment in Evil Dead 2 happens when Ash tries to leave in his car near the beginning of the movie. To his surprise, the only bridge that leads out of the woods is now destroyed. This reveal allows the audience to feel that there is no way out and that no one will be able to come save Ash. However, the most pivotal moment in the movie has to be the ending of Evil Dead 2. In this scene, everything changes for him. In an attempt to get rid of the demon, he ends up being sent back in time to the middle ages. After all the pain and chaos Ash has been though, things only get worse for him. The movie ends with a dark plot twist, refusing to give Ash a happy ending. It furthers the idea that he is all alone and that there is no escape.