Evil Dead II Is the Late Show on Halloween Night |
A cult horror comedy at the County Theater to close out Oct. 31 |
Halloween night doesn't have to end when the trick-or-treaters go home.
At 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, the County Theater shows Sam Raimi's Evil Dead II.
It's the perfect late show for grown-ups who like to laugh and scream at the same time.
The 1987 film stars Bruce Campbell as Ash, who ends up in a remote cabin in the woods with an ancient book he really shouldn't read.
Reading from the Book of the Dead turns out to be a very bad idea.
What follows is one long night of demonic attacks, wild camera work and some of the most inventive slapstick in horror.
It's gory, ridiculous and genuinely funny, which is why it has such a devoted following.
Evil Dead II is rated R and runs 1 hour and 24 minutes, so you'll be back out on State Street a little after 11.
That leaves time for a nightcap downtown, costume optional.
Tickets are $13.50, $11.50 for seniors 62 and up and students, and $8 for members.
It's a good idea to buy ahead online.
For a full date night, start with dinner on State or Main, catch the movie, then stroll out into a quiet downtown.
And remember that clocks fall back at 2 a.m., so you get an extra hour of sleep after the late show.
If Saturday is already spoken for, the County has a more grown-up classic midweek.
The Killers, the 1946 film noir with Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner, plays Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7:15 p.m. |
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The camera work in that film is genuinely impressive for the budget they had. Raimi was doing things nobody else was doing.
Saw it in 1987 when it came out. Still holds up. Go see it.
Already convinced three friends to come. This is exactly what Halloween should look like when you're in your 40s.
Halloween night late show is a great tradition. Wish more theaters did stuff like this.
The Book of the Dead is such a wild plot device. Love that they just lean into it completely.
Anyone know if they do anything special before the screening like introductions or trivia or anything? Would make the night even better.
Costume optional is doing a lot of work in that sentence. Half that crowd is definitely showing up in costume.
Took a horror film class in college that used Evil Dead II as an example of postmodern horror. Never thought I'd see it at the County Theater on Halloween. Life is good.
I keep meaning to become a member there. Eight dollars a ticket is making me finally do it.
Bruce Campbell's physical comedy in this movie is something else. The scene with his own hand is pure genius.
frank_dThat scene is genuinely one of the funniest things in any horror movie ever made. Campbell commits to it completely which is what makes it work.
Does the County do reserved seating or is it first come first served? Asking for a group of four.
I appreciate that they mention dinner on State or Main beforehand. Makes it feel like a real evening out, not just a movie.
Kay_LindbergTotally agree. There are some good spots on Main that take reservations so you could actually plan the whole thing out ahead of time.
Took my college kid to see this at a revival a few years back and they loved it. Good for a mixed age group honestly.
Parking on State Street that late on Halloween is going to be a nightmare just so people know.
Hard pass on the horror but The Killers on Wednesday is on my calendar now. That is a genuine classic.
I love that they called it slapstick horror. That is exactly what it is.
The note about costume optional after the show is kind of charming. I might just keep mine on for the nightcap.
Maureen CallowayHa, honestly that sounds like a great call. Half the bars downtown will probably have people still in costume anyway.
For 8 dollars as a member this is basically a no brainer. Worth becoming a member just for deals like this honestly.
jason_wThe membership pays for itself pretty fast if you go more than a couple times a year. I think I broke even by March.
My kids are now teenagers and this is the first Halloween I don't have to take them around the neighborhood. This movie sounds like the perfect way to celebrate my freedom.
The camera work in this film is actually wild if you pay attention to it. Raimi was doing stuff no one else was attempting at the time.
Charlie BrooksThe POV shots through the woods alone are worth watching twice. He was shooting with like no budget too which makes it even more impressive.
The Killers on Nov 4 is the real draw for me. Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in a film noir is hard to beat.
State Street after 11 on a Halloween Saturday night is going to be lively to say the least. Part of the fun honestly.
Bought tickets already. Not risking it being sold out on Halloween night.
The cabin in the woods setup never gets old. This movie basically invented half the horror tropes people still use.
I am a senior so that $11.50 price is appreciated. Might drag my husband to this.
84 minutes is the right length for a movie like this. No filler, just chaos.
Dinner on Main then this movie then a drink downtown sounds like a really solid Halloween plan.
Evil Dead II is not even scary it's just hilarious. Ash is a complete disaster the whole time.
The County is such a good little theater. Glad they do stuff like this.
Not really a horror fan but my wife loves this one. Might be a good Halloween date night.
State Street after 11 on Halloween is going to be wild. That walk out of the theater sounds fun actually.
The clock falling back right after the late show is honestly ideal. Bonus hour after a horror movie.
Saw this years ago on VHS and it scared me half to death. Might be brave enough to see it on a big screen now.
$8 for members is a great deal. Worth signing up if you go there often.
Bruce Campbell is a legend and I will not hear otherwise.
Evil Dead II on Halloween night at the County? That's perfect.
Genuinely funny horror is so rare. Most scary movies take themselves way too seriously. Evil Dead II figured out the balance better than almost anyone.
The Killers on Wednesday is an equally great pick. Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in a film noir is a completely different vibe but just as good.
They should really do a double feature. Evil Dead II and then Army of Darkness would be perfect but I guess that would keep everyone out til 2am.
Is parking going to be a nightmare on Halloween night downtown? That's the only thing giving me pause.
NancyQThe lot on Ashland usually has space later in the evening. Street parking gets rough but if you get there around 9 you should be okay.
I have seen this movie probably seven or eight times and it still makes me jump. The crowd at a late Halloween show is going to make it even better.
My wife and I did dinner on State Street last Halloween before a show at the County and it was genuinely one of our favorite nights out in a while. This is a great excuse to do it again.
The County is so good at picking movies like this. It's not just popcorn blockbusters, they actually think about what fits the moment.
Ash vs the Evil Dead fans are going to fill that place up. I'd really buy ahead like they're saying, not wait until the last minute.
Tom WickfieldAgreed, this is not the crowd that will skip a midnight horror show. I would not risk showing up without a ticket.
13.50 is really reasonable for a late night Halloween show. A lot of theaters charge way more for special screenings.
The part about the clocks falling back at 2am is a nice bonus. A late show and an extra hour of sleep sounds like a solid Halloween.
Not really my kind of movie but my husband has been asking to do something fun on Halloween for years. Maybe this is the year we actually do it.
PatriciaHThis is probably the perfect intro for him honestly. It is scary enough to feel like Halloween but funny enough that it does not take itself too seriously.
Went to a midnight screening of this back in college and it was one of the best nights of my life. Tempted to go again just for the crowd energy.
Bruce Campbell is a legend and this movie deserves to be seen on a big screen. So glad the County is doing this.
Evil Dead II on Halloween night at the County? That is an absolute perfect pairing. Already bought my tickets.