A.V. Opinions: Mike Cheslik, director of Hundreds of Beavers, should helm the next Evil Dead
Since its splatter-soaked inception, the Evil Dead franchise has delivered horror fans everything from bloody gore to chainsaw-swinging slapstick. While the recent entries have leaned heavily into grueling, nightmarish terror, some fans yearn for a return to the wild, unhinged chaos that made Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn a classic. Enter Mike Cheslik, the mad genius behind Hundreds of Beavers—a live-action Looney Tunes-inspired fever dream with the same creative spirit Sam Raimi unleashed back in 1987.
Raimi’s Evil Dead II is infamous for blending over-the-top gore with cartoonish energy. From Ash’s slapstick battle with his own possessed hand to his manic descent into madness, it’s basically a Looney Tunes short if Bugs Bunny were replaced by Bruce Campbell and Elmer Fudd had a chainsaw for an arm. Raimi and co-writer Scott Spiegel have openly credited the influence of animated antics, channeling absurdity and creative camera work to bring horror-comedy to life in a way that has yet to be replicated. But it’s not just the blood-soaked mayhem; Evil Dead II has an infectious sense of fun that makes its over-the-top violence oddly endearing. It’s ridiculous, it’s relentless, and it’s exactly the kind of movie that Mike Cheslik seems born to direct.
Cheslik’s Hundreds of Beavers feels like the spiritual cousin of Evil Dead II, albeit with far less gore and far more woodland critters. This black-and-white comedy is a silent-era-inspired, live-action cartoon that explodes with creativity. Using slapstick, surreal visuals, and a frenetic energy that recalls Looney Tunes at its wildest, Cheslik proves he has a mastery of physical comedy and visual storytelling. While Beavers is a far cry from a cabin in the woods filled with Deadites, its absurdity and originality echo Raimi’s gonzo filmmaking approach. Cheslik’s ability to create humor out of pure chaos while maintaining a surprising amount of heart makes him an exciting candidate to revitalize the Evil Deadfranchise.
The last two Evil Dead films (Evil Dead 2013 and Evil Dead Rise) are undeniably intense, drenched in blood and brimming with dread. But they lack the playfulness that made Raimi’s films unforgettable. Sure, the franchise’s evolution toward darker, more serious horror has its merits, but isn’t it time for a little fun? Cheslik could inject a jolt of energy, humor, and visual creativity back into the franchise, reuniting it with its wackier roots. Picture over-the-top camera angles, inventive gore gags, and slapstick sequences. Cheslik could balance the franchise’s love of blood with the zaniness that made Evil Dead II a cult classic.
Mike Cheslik has already proven he can create an experience that feels like a live-action cartoon while maintaining impeccable cinematic craftsmanship. Now, imagine what he could do with a chainsaw-wielding hero, a cabin full of Deadites, and Raimi’s blessing to go absolutely bonkers. It’s time for Evil Dead to go looney again and Cheslik is just the director to make that happen.
-Brad McBoom