When it comes to ’80s horror franchises, few were as innovative, spine-chilling, and darkly humorous as “The Evil Dead.” Directed by Sam Raimi, this eccentric series recently marked its triumphant return to theaters last year. Despite not being the most prominent brand for merchandise over the past four decades, the iconic Deadites have been immortalized in terrifying detail by NECA. Their latest two-pack of figures transports horror aficionados back to the origins of the Deadites’ nightmarish saga.

The seven-inch scale Ultimate two-pack features Bloody Ash and Cheryl, capturing a macabre family reunion as the siblings clash in a gruesome battle. In a nod to the original film, Cheryl is depicted as a Deadite-possessed fiend, looking worse for wear with each interchangeable head showcasing different stages of decay. Bruce Campbell’s Ash appears in his quintessential outfit from “The Evil Dead,” completely drenched in blood, embodying his relentless struggle against evil. The figures are accompanied by a Necronomicon brimming with accessories including interchangeable heads and hands (one of Cheryl’s hands clutches a pencil), a bloody chainsaw, an axe, a shovel, a fire poker, a sketch pad featuring a drawing of the Necronomicon, and a cross grave marker. While Ash has previously been featured in various NECA figures, both in the seven-inch Ultimate scale and Tooney Terrors variety, this two-pack stands out for its intricate and horrifying detail. The likeness to a young Bruce Campbell is uncanny, making this set a must-have for fans.

‘The Evil Dead’ is a chilling yet straightforward narrative. It follows a group of friends who decide to spend a night in an old log cabin nestled deep in the woods. They stumble upon an ancient book and unwittingly summon an age-old evil that begins to possess them one by one. Unlike the later entries in the franchise, which masterfully blend horror and comedy, the original “Evil Dead” is more akin to a campy B-movie. It doesn’t take itself too seriously but also hasn’t yet found its signature comedic flair. The film is driven by Raimi’s thick atmosphere and inventive camera techniques.

Interestingly, Ash isn’t the focal point of the film until its third act. Unlike his later portrayals as the heroic figure in “Evil Dead 2” and “Army of Darkness,” Ash is initially portrayed as a wimpy, self-serving character simply trying to survive—an archetype Bruce Campbell excels at. Campbell reprised his role as Ash in the subsequent sequels, made a cameo in “Evil Dead” (2013), starred in the short-lived TV series “Ash vs The Evil Dead,” and voiced Ash in 2022’s “Evil Dead: The Video Game.” He also had a voice cameo in “Evil Dead Rise,” albeit as an ambiguous character. Though Campbell has retired from live-action portrayals of Ash, he is currently working on an animated series to continue the adventures of everyone’s favorite chainsaw-wielding Deadite slayer.

For those looking to revisit or discover ‘The Evil Dead,’ the original film is available for streaming on AMC+, while the latest installment, “Evil Dead Rise,” can be found on Max. NECA’s Bloody Ash and Cheryl Ultimate two-pack is now available for pre-order at retailers like Entertainment Earth for $69.99 USD, with shipping scheduled for January 2025.

“The Evil Dead” (1981) NC-17 Horror Five friends travel to a cabin in the woods where they unknowingly unleash flesh-possessing demons. Release Date: April 15, 1983 Director: Sam Raimi Cast: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker Runtime: 85 minutes Main Genre: Horror Writers: Sam Raimi Studio: New Line Cinema

Stream on AMC+