Nobody puts baillee in the corner

My first exposure to the Evil Dead franchise was on a Sunday afternoon when I was 14. I had been at a band competition the entire day before, so I was exhausted and was channel surfing on the living room couch when I stumbled upon the first Evil Dead starting on Fuse (tell me you’re 30 without telling me you’re 30).

I almost wrote it off as low-budget horror fodder (I know, I know, but remember, I was 14), but by the end, I was fully sold. Fortunately for me, it was Halloween season, so both Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness were on Charter for free. (Am I the only one who remembers going to the different sections of the available movies in what was essentially the prototype of streaming?) I watched all three movies and was absolutely smitten. That’s why Evil Dead II has such a special place in my heart. However, there are other few other sequels who occupy the same space as well, so let’s briefly talk about them!

Scream 2: I shouldn’t even have to tell you why this one’s on here. The Scream franchise is my second favorite horror franchise, right behind Halloween. I’m a sucker for a meta horror movie, but when you throw in one of the most iconic cold opens in horror history, an impromptu musical number, and Laurie Metcalf? You can’t beat it.

Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2: I know this is controversial, but I really enjoy this movie. I think it would’ve been much better if they’d done it as a standalone movie, but that never stopped the Paranormal Activity folks either. Kim’s our gothic, empath queen, we’ve got the meta element I so desperately crave, and it has one of the most painful 2000s soundtracks I’ve ever heard in my life.

Addams Family Values: I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again – Addams Family Values is better than its predecessor. They just absolutely nail each and every character. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still watch The Addams Family (’91), but it’s a rare occasion of the sequel outshining the original.

Final Destination 2: I really like Final Destination 2 because, to me, they take a page from the book of Evil Dead II and make the second a bit campier than the first. It also has the infamous log scene that will terrify you whenever you’re behind any sort of construction vehicle with materials attached in traffic. I think it changed the entire direction of the franchise itself because the first one is a lot darker than the rest, and I can’t wait to see how the latest installment pans out.