Horror movie fanatics in Ireland may have to wait a little longer to get their spooky fix as a new film has been restricted in the country. The trailer and poster for the upcoming horror flick have been deemed too graphic and disturbing by Irish film classification board, meaning that the movie has been restricted from general release. JOE.ie delves into the intriguing details surrounding this controversial move in the world of horror cinema.
The horror movie industry has seen a steady rise in popularity and has become a fan favorite genre among many moviegoers worldwide. However, with its increasing popularity, some horror films still face discrimination, especially in certain countries or regions globally. In the case of the Irish horror movie Evil Dead Rise, it’s a unique and rather peculiar situation that has seen both the film’s poster and trailer receive pushback in Ireland’s advertising and marketing standards.
Written and directed by Irish filmmaker Lee Cronin, Evil Dead Rise is all set to hit the big screens in Ireland on Friday, 21 April 2022. Still, the promotional campaign had to go through major changes in the country, specifically the trailer and poster.
While discussing the upcoming movie with JOE, Lee Cronin said, “Interestingly, in Ireland, it has been the one place… a little bit in the UK, we’ve had some pushback on some of the marketing materials for the movie, for the level of the threat that is there.” Consequently, the poster has undergone revisions to its global counterpart, featuring a clearer image of the movie’s protagonist in a possessed state with a tagline that reads, “Mommy loves you to death.”
In addition to the poster, the trailer also underwent alterations, specifically the Green Band trailer, which is a unique cut offered to Irish audiences. According to Cronin, “We had to make a couple of little tweaks, and interestingly, one of the tweaks that we made to the trailer I think is far more threatening than the thing that was deemed too intense.”
The advertising boards requested these changes as they felt the original poster and trailer were too intense for widespread public consumption in Ireland. The Irish audience’s sensitivity to the subject matter may have driven this motive. Despite the changes, Evil Dead Rise has done justice to the horror genre’s legacy, sticking true to its roots.
Cronin’s film is an update to Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead franchise, which has gained a massive following over the years. The original movie was banned in Ireland when it came out in the early 1980s, and now, with the release of Evil Dead Rise, Cronin feels like he’s “closing that circle really nicely.”
It is worth noting that Ireland has come a long way from the country’s previous conservative legislature. The times where the people’s choices were limited due to censorship decisions made by the government and the church are long gone. However, remnants of that type of mentality remain in certain areas.
The Irish horror movie industry is experiencing an unprecedented era that has made way for new and brighter talent to shine. The likes of Lee Cronin and his contemporaries brought Irish horror films to new heights, with their unique brand of storytelling and distinctive Irish humor.
Ultimately, the world is slowly accepting the horror genre and its importance in the art of cinema. The success stories of horror movies such as Evil Dead Rise bring much-needed visibility to the genre’s hitherto-underrated potential. Hopefully, with more unique works of horror from filmmakers like Cronin, we can continue to see more horror movie masterpieces make their way to the big screens.
In conclusion, while the trailer and poster for the new horror movie may be restricted in Ireland, horror fans can still look forward to its release and brace themselves for a terrifying experience. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or simply curious, this film is sure to leave a lasting impression. As always, we urge our readers to approach these kinds of movies with caution and know their own limitations. Happy viewing, and be prepared to be scared!
