Ash Vs Evil Dead Season 1 Review: Gory, Stupid Fun!

Two seasons of "Ash Vs Evil Dead" are currently available on NetFlix. The show premiered on Starz on Halloween 2015. See my review here. Season 3 is scheduled to be released in February 2018.

Each season has 10 twenty five minute episodes so they're a super fast watch. For those unfamiliar with "Ash's" history, the TV version is based on a SUPER LOW budget movie from 1981 named "The Evil Dead". As the show developed a cult following, three more movies (including a reboot) and an opera followed. Action figurines are even available if you want your own piece of Ashy Slashy.

The plot is pretty simple. Ash Williams (the always charming Bruce Campbell) is an over the hill, slightly overweight, one armed womanizer who ends up in the middle of an epic battle between good and evil. "Deadites" are demons that want to take over the world. Ash and his detachable chainsaw hand think otherwise. There's lots of killing and lots of snappy one liners.

Ash is joined in his quest by two coworkers from the Value Stop. Pedro Bolivar and Kelly Maxwell are initially disbelievers but end up being great assets. There's also a cop (Amanda Fisher) following the threesome after her partner is killed by a deadite. Amanda joins the group in episode six.

Lucy Lawless plays the mysterious Ruby Knowby. Lucy is married to Robert Tapert (the original producer of the movies and TV series). I'll just say now for the record that I will watch ANYTHING with Lucy Lawless is in.

In episode 8, Ash returns to the cabin in Tennessee where it all started. Remember that's where all four of Ash's friend were killed because SOMEONE had to read a book made out of a human face. Unbeknownst to Ash, his chopped off hand is still hanging around. It grows another Ash (which attacks Amanda). As if one Ash wasnt bad enough.

RealAsh's plan is to bury the book. Somehow I dont think that will help. In a surprise twist Amanda is killed by FakeAsh. That was quick. I thought she'd be around a while. Then it is revealed that Ruby is actually a demon (aka "The Dark One"). She wrote the Necronomicon and wants it back in order to control the other baddies. OK then. Also, what's up with those freaky hairless children that poor Pedro pukes up? They look like they were borrowed from the set of "The Grudge".

Ruby makes a deal with Ash. He, Pedro and Kelly can live a peaceful existence in Jacksonville Florida if he gives up fighting with her. Ash, who tends to always take the easy way out, agrees. We know his keg partying on the beach wont last long. Deadites arent that easy to get rid of. The group drives away, trailer in tow, as sinkholes form behind them. Uh oh.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). Take "Ash Vs Evil Dead" for what it's worth and you'll have a great time. Just sit back and enjoy the deadite killin' and snappy dialogue. Ladies of Jacksonville: My advice if you encounter Ash, is to run screaming in the opposite direction. You'll thank me later.