Since then, Deming continued working in a number of genres with other notable directors, including Wes Craven ( Scream 2), David O. Finally, when the third and final film in that franchise was released, Raimi dug up the screenplay titled The Curse, which would become Drag Me to Hell.ĭrag Me to Hell is also a return for cinematographer Peter Deming, who previously worked with Raimi on 1987’s Evil Dead II. The story was written right after 1993’s Army of Darkness however, the idea was shelved while Raimi directed the Spider-Man films. This is what makes Drag Me to Hell both a return to form as well as a contemporary Raimi shock, schlock, and fun film. Raimi has written and directed well-known cult classics, many of them synonymous with the horror-comedy genre. For many of the films he directs, he mixes horror and comedy to play with the audience’s expectations. Evil Dead II and The Cabin in the Woods exemplify this effect of watching horrid events transpire, while never forgetting their comically outlandish and goofy nature.

However, like the genre of horror-comedy itself, there must be a balance to the schadenfreude. There is something utterly fascinating about doomed characters who you, as the viewer, hope will defeat the evil presence looming over their heads, while also wanting to watch the horrible misfortunes that invade their lives. The screening will be followed by a discussion with Drag Me to Hell's cinematographer and UW alum Peter Deming. A 35mm print of Drag Me to Hell will be screened in 4070 Vilas Hall on Saturday, April 21 at 7 p.m. These notes on Sam Raimi's Drag Me to Hell (2009) were written by WUD Film’s Kristen Johnson-Salazar.

Drag me to hell comedy