Evil Dead Trap (1988)

Studio: Synapse Films
Theatrical Release: May 14, 1988
DVD Release: November 7, 2000
Not Rated

Review by James Klein

If you are one of those whose always on the look out for a different kind of horror film, something not necessarily new but new to see, listen up. For those of you who don't mind subtitles or a film that is now over 20 years old, I give you Evil Dead Trap. Evil Dead Trap is a graphic, surreal horror film that will please fans of extreme graphic violence as well as those looking for something a bit more original that one cannot always find in American horror films.

Nami is a T.V. talk show hostess who works on a late night television show where viewers send in their own videotapes for her to show on the late night program. When she receives a video tape of a woman being tortured she tells her manager but he believes it to be a fake and for her to just forget about it. Nami then talks to her female crew members who believe that the boss is just blowing her off because she is a woman and they themselves all want to investigate where this torture took place. The crew travel to an abandoned warehouse where they find something more horrible then they could have imagined.

Much like in the style of old Sam Raimi films (hence the similar title to his popular series) as well as Dario Argento's films from the 80's (gorgeous cinematography, lead female on the trail of a killer), Evil Dead Trap is a nightmare put on film. And as the film moves along it just gets completely nuts. Some viewers may think the film goes a bit too far but I loved it's go for broke attitude. Evil Dead Trap isn't predictable and it was made way before the similar and tamer Ringu.

Synapse has brought this underground cult classic to DVD with a new widescreen transfer as well as an audio commentary track by the director, Toshiharu Ikeda and the make up artist who created the graphic and far out special effects. Evil Dead Trap isn't for everyone but it may be a film that horror enthusiasts will enjoy.