'The Evil Dead' Hailed As The Most 'Terrifying' Film, Was Banned Soon After Its Release, Here's Why

Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead is known for its graphic violence and sexual content. When the film was released in 1981, it shocked audiences worldwide. While many hailed it as a masterpiece, several countries banned the film. However, now that the film has returned to theatres for spooky season 2025, let's take a look at why it was banned in the first place. 

The Evil Dead was banned soon after its release

Sam Raimi made history with his 1981 horror saga, The Evil Dead. The film became the talk of the town, sparking intrigue. However, it was banned by several countries. Why? Well, according to the University of Delaware, The Evil Dead was banned in Finland, Ukraine and Singapore because of its depiction of violence, sex and gore. The San Diego Reader reports that even Sam regrets including a particular scene due to its gratuitous nature.

The Evil Dead's plot

The film opens with five young people: 'Ashley (Ash) Williams', his sister, 'Cheryl', his girlfriend, 'Linda', their friend, 'Scott' and 'Scott's' girlfriend, 'Shelly'. The group is on a trip to a cabin in the woods. However, as 'Ash' and 'Scott' explore the cellar, they find the 'Necronomicon', aka the Book of the Dead, and a tape recorder. 'Scott' plays the recorder, unwittingly freeing a demonic entity called the 'Kandarian Demon', which possesses 'Cheryl' and turns her into a 'Deadite'.

In a dramatic turn of events, everyone except for 'Ash' turns into a 'Deadite' as well, leaving him as the sole survivor of the bloody ordeal. While the plot of The Evil Dead is eerie on its own, the violence and gore add a different level of horror to the film. However, for some, it ended up being a bit too excessive, especially scenes like the one where 'Cheryl' stabs 'Linda's' foot with a pencil. A scene which doesn't seem too much turns into a ghastly event as the camera focuses on the blood spraying from her foot. 

Another scene which leaves the audience disgusted is when 'Scott' dismembers 'Shelly' with an axe, and the camera zooms in on her dismembered body parts twitching and flopping around. Sam Raimi doesn't shy away from getting a close-up shot of this sight in all of its bloody glory. While some people may consider the over-the-top violence to be unnecessary, others consider it to be groundbreaking.

Sam Raimi regrets a scene in The Evil Dead

While the audience was divided about the film, Sam Raimi regretted one particular scene. The director, in a conversation with San Diego Reader, once revealed that, while he was not one to have any regrets, there was one infamous scene from the film he wished he had left out. When 'Cheryl' walks into the woods, the trees, possessed by the 'Kandarian Demon', come to life and s**ually assault her. Naturally, the scene upset many people, and Sam agrees that he went too far by including it. He was quoted as saying:

"My goal is not to offend people. It is to entertain, thrill, scare…make them laugh but not to offend them." 

What are your thoughts on The Evil Dead? Let us know if you have seen the film.

Next Read: ASAP Rocky Refers Himself As A 'Husband' Amid His And Rihanna's Secret Marriage Buzz, 'My Family...'

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)