Army of Darkness (1993): A Super Simple Guide to IndieWire’s Midnight Movie Pick

What Is IndieWire After Dark?

Every Friday night, a movie website called IndieWire celebrates weird, not‑very‑mainstream films (often called midnight movies — pictures that used to play late at night for quirky fans) that you can now watch at home.

They use a fun two‑part format:

• The BAIT: They pick a strange movie type and explain why we should look at it right now.
• The BITE: They give a spoiler‑filled answer to the big question: “Is this old cult film actually worth recommending?”

The Bait: Who the Heck Are the “Wise Men” in “Evil Dead Burn”?

There’s a new scary‑silly movie called “Evil Dead Burn” (made by Sébastien Vaniček and released in theaters by Warner Bros.). It mentions some mysterious “Wise Men.” To understand that reference, the article suggests you watch an older movie from 1993 called “Army of Darkness” directed by Sam Raimi.

Why “Army of Darkness” Is the Key

• It is the third movie in the original “Evil Dead” series, made by Sam Raimi and his friend Bruce Campbell (who plays the hero).
• It’s a goofy fantasy adventure (think knights, castles, and bone armies) rather than a tense “trapped in a cabin” scare.
• It literally explains who those “Wise Men” are that the new sequel name‑drops.
• More importantly, it shows the basic building blocks (the article calls this “franchise scaffolding”) that Raimi quietly created when he took his small, independent horror movie to a big Hollywood studio in 1993.

How the Movie Came to Be

After several years away, Raimi returned with wild imagination. He wrote the film with his brother Ivan Raimi.

• It’s the “black sheep” (the odd one out) of the original trilogy.
• Instead of scary claustrophobic terror, it offers:
  • Skeleton armies
  • Broad funny physical comedy (slapstick)
  • Silly make‑fun‑of‑itself moments
  • Some old visual effects that look a bit cheesy today

Important: What once seemed like a weird detour now feels like the moment the “Evil Dead” series discovered its true self: not a strict story that must connect perfectly, but a creative sandbox where the filmmaker can play freely with style.

Quick Story Recap (No Spoilers for the New Movie)

1. “Army of Darkness” both continues and resets the events of 1987’s “Evil Dead II.”
2. It opens with a quick intro sending Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) — a hero with a chainsaw for a hand — flying from a doomed cabin into the Middle Ages to battle demons called Deadites.
3. Raimi had already shown his “style matters” idea by casting Campbell opposite three different actresses playing Ash’s girlfriend Linda (here briefly Bridget Fonda), each meeting the same grim fate.
4. Actress Embeth Davidtz plays a maiden named Sheila, using what the audience already knows from the first two films — proving that repeating a pattern is often how you learn to innovate.

• Distributed by Universal after two self‑made movies, it annoyed some critics but made decent money.
• Today it stands as a bright example of a young director pushing a big‑budget movie as far as he could while keeping it fun for regular audiences.
• Raimi kept that balancing act in later films like “Spider‑Man” and this year’s “Send Help.” Newer “Evil Dead” movies (by Fede Álvarez, Lee Cronin, and now Vaniček) don’t copy him but inherit his bravery.

Important: If the new “Evil Dead Burn” is defined by Vaniček’s special skill at making icky, uncomfortable surfaces look real, then “Army of Darkness” feels like examining Raimi’s creative DNA under a microscope. It’s a joyful, endlessly inventive showcase of Campbell’s physical talents and a game‑changing chapter in horror history.
— Written by Alison Foreman

The Bite: Bruce Campbell, Call Me! (Is This Old Film Worth Watching?)

This section is spoiler‑filled and answers with a big YES, explained simply.

Why Bruce Campbell Is So Much Fun

• Bruce Campbell (the star) looks like a classic handsome movie star: strong jaw, broad shoulders, dark hair.
• But his face is super stretchy, like a cartoon rabbit (Bugs Bunny). He can make huge expressions.
• In “Army of Darkness” (a tight 81 minutes), he gets:
  • Dragged through muddy water
  • Poked in the bum
  • A skeleton’s bony hand stuck up his nose and slapped silly
  • And tons more funny punishments

This kind of comedy is called slapstick — a classic silly style where seeing someone get a little pretend pain is funny. It only works if the actor makes every bump feel real. Campbell is perfect for that, making Ash both a cool hero and a guy you want to protect.

The Movie Feels Real and Touchable

Raimi’s “Evil Dead” films feel tactile (you can almost touch the dirt and blood).

• “Army of Darkness” had a budget of $11 million (double its predecessor).
• It builds a Middle Ages using basically one castle, a windmill, and some woods, yet feels like a living place with grumpy knights, bold maidens, and undead demons from a creepy comic book.

Important: Raimi’s work often sits where real‑life acting meets cartoon craziness, and this movie is the peak. He used a trick called Introvision (projecting pre‑filmed backgrounds behind actors) to honor old skeleton animations by Ray Harryhausen (like in “Jason and the Argonauts”). The effects aren’t always pretty, but Campbell’s acting fills the gaps, making the film something you feel as much as watch.

• Compared to many slick, computer‑made horror films today, “Army of Darkness” hits like a burst of energy.
• While other scary movie series overthink their rules and backstories, Raimi just treats his demon world like a playground. He doesn’t dig deep into the origins of the magic book (the Necronomicon); he just has a blast.

Final verdict: Watching a gorgeous man get comically knocked around is pure joy. As the film’s famous line goes: “Hail to the king, baby.”
— Written by Wilson Chapman

Where to Watch “Army of Darkness”

• It is currently streaming on HBO Max.
• It is also available on VOD (Video On Demand — meaning you can rent or buy it digitally from home).

Summary

• IndieWire After Dark recommends “Army of Darkness” (1993) as a weird but vital piece of the “Evil Dead” puzzle.
• It helps explain the new “Evil Dead Burn” and shows how director Sam Raimi turned a scary series into a freedom‑filled creative playground.
• Star Bruce Campbell’s funny, physical performance makes it a delightful watch despite some old‑fashioned effects.
• It’s a short, silly, monster‑filled adventure you can stream right now.

FAQ

1. What is a “midnight movie”?

A midnight movie is a cult film (a movie loved by a small, passionate group) that used to screen late at night. Today it means any fringe or quirky film worth celebrating after dark.

2. Who is Ash Williams?

Ash is the main character of the “Evil Dead” movies, played by Bruce Campbell. He’s a regular guy who fights demons, often with a chainsaw attached to his arm.

3. What are Deadites?

Deadites are the evil demons or zombie‑like beings in the “Evil Dead” world that possess people and cause chaos.

4. Do I need to watch the earlier “Evil Dead” films first?

Not strictly! “Army of Darkness” is silly and stands alone, but seeing the first two helps you catch jokes about Ash’s repeating girlfriend troubles.

5. Is “Army of Darkness” actually scary?

Not really — it’s more a comedy with skeletons and slapstick. It has a few gross moments but is meant to be fun, not terrifying.