A post-screening Q&A for “Evil Dead Rise” at SXSW on Wednesday evening turned into this weird shouting match between a disappointed “fan” and the film’s executive producer Bruce Campbell.
The clash was caught on camera. The heckler could be seen in a balcony seat yelling: “This movie f***ing sucks.”
He then proceeded to stand up, throw his popcorn bag in the air, and head to the exit. He was obviously booed by the crowd, and continued to rant, at which point Campbell yells: “What are you doing here? Get the f**k out of here.”
The film’s producer Robert Tapert, who was also onstage, added: “I don’t get it. He waited all the way through the credits.”
Consider me an ignoramus, but I had no idea a fifth ‘Evil Dead’ was even shot and ready for release. What?! The film was written and directed by Lee Cronin (The Hole in the Ground) and follows two sisters who have to deal with the demonic antagonists.
So, does “Evil Dead Rise” actually “suck”? I haven’t seen it. The reviews, however, have been positive, so far. Slash Film’s Jacob Hall calls it “the nastiest, most extreme entry in a series that's pretty well-known for being nasty and extreme.” The other two reviews on Rotten Tomatoes are also highly positive.
Maybe, the heckler was just really drunk.