In my opinion, and it’s a strong one, this should be considered the best film, period. Okay, sure, its storyline might be a tad convoluted, and Spider-Man: Homecoming arguably handles the multiverse aspect with greater finesse, and perhaps character development takes a backseat… Fine, I admit it. But what if your cherished childhood movie was Evil Dead 2? Suddenly, everything shifts into a different perspective.
I firmly believe Multiverse of Madness is essentially Evil Dead 4 in disguise. The evidence is compelling! First, it’s helmed by Sam Raimi, the creative force behind the original Evil Dead trilogy, not to mention films like Drag Me to Hell, A Simple Plan and the 2002 Spider-Man – a promising start, no? Then, it showcases Raimi’s signature touches, like the appearance of his iconic Oldsmobile Delta 88 (the original car featured in the Evil Dead films), a cameo from Bruce Campbell (the star of all three Evil Dead movies), and the distinctive camera rushes that signal impending danger (a signature technique in the Evil Dead series). But more importantly – and some will disagree, but they’d be wrong – it’s genuinely a horror movie!
Sam Raimi somehow managed to sneak a full-fledged horror experience into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I know this to be a fact because when introducing my 10-year-old to the MCU, this was the only installment he asked me to turn off because it was simply too scary for him. So, the proof is there. It’s crafted like a horror film, presented like a horror film, and directed like a horror film. There are moments that are genuinely unsettling!
Perhaps the most significant element, however, is the scene featuring Bruce Campbell as Pizza Poppa. After demanding payment from America Chavez for her pizza roll, Doctor Strange casts a spell that causes him to spray mustard all over himself, followed by him physically assaulting himself. This, of course, is a direct callback to Evil Dead 2’s most iconic scene, when Ash’s hand becomes possessed. And that seals the deal: this is Evil Dead 4. I don’t care if you think the movie mistreated Wanda; that’s irrelevant. Thank you. —John Walker