Evil Dead II
Ash Williams and his girlfriend Linda find a log cabin in the woods with a voice recording from an archeologist who had recorded himself reciting ancient chants from "The Book of the Dead." As they play the recording an evil power is unleashed taking over Linda's body.
Despite its tight budget of $3.5M, Evil Dead II became a commercial success, earning $10.9M worldwide—a 211% return. The film's compelling narrative engaged audiences, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Evil Dead II (1987) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of Sam Raimi's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 24 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ash and Linda arrive at the remote cabin for a romantic getaway, unaware of the evil that awaits them.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when Ash is forced to decapitate possessed Linda with a chainsaw, marking the end of his normal life and beginning his fight for survival.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Ash is possessed by the evil force and undergoes a violent transformation, but fights back and expels the demon, choosing to stand and fight rather than flee., moving from reaction to action.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Henrietta rises from the cellar as a fully-formed Deadite, raising the stakes significantly. Annie realizes her mother has become a monster, and the evil's power reaches its peak., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 62 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Annie is stabbed by possessed Jake and mortally wounded. Ash's last hope for escape and assistance dies, leaving him alone to face the evil., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 66 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Annie completes the incantation from the Necronomicon, opening a portal that can banish the evil. Ash gains the knowledge needed for final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Evil Dead II's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Evil Dead II against these established plot points, we can identify how Sam Raimi utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Evil Dead II within the horror genre.
Sam Raimi's Structural Approach
Among the 12 Sam Raimi films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Evil Dead II represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sam Raimi filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Sam Raimi analyses, see The Evil Dead, Spider-Man 2 and Army of Darkness.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ash and Linda arrive at the remote cabin for a romantic getaway, unaware of the evil that awaits them.
Theme
The recording of Professor Knowby warns about the Necronomicon's power to resurrect the dead, stating the danger of forces beyond human control.
Worldbuilding
Ash discovers the tape recorder and Necronomicon. Linda becomes possessed and attacks Ash, establishing the cabin's supernatural rules and the entity's possession abilities.
Disruption
Ash is forced to decapitate possessed Linda with a chainsaw, marking the end of his normal life and beginning his fight for survival.
Resistance
Ash attempts to escape but the woods themselves attack him. He experiences supernatural torment and psychological breakdown as the cabin laughs at him, pushing him to the edge of sanity.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ash is possessed by the evil force and undergoes a violent transformation, but fights back and expels the demon, choosing to stand and fight rather than flee.
Mirror World
Annie Knowby and Jake arrive at the cabin, representing hope for rescue and knowledge about the Necronomicon that could save or doom Ash.
Premise
Ash battles his possessed hand, weaponizes himself with a chainsaw, and confronts increasingly grotesque demonic manifestations. The horror-comedy premise fully delivers on creative gore and slapstick violence.
Midpoint
Henrietta rises from the cellar as a fully-formed Deadite, raising the stakes significantly. Annie realizes her mother has become a monster, and the evil's power reaches its peak.
Opposition
Deadites multiply and intensify their attacks. Jake is possessed and killed. Annie's attempts to help backfire. Ash and Annie are isolated as the evil closes in from all sides.
Collapse
Annie is stabbed by possessed Jake and mortally wounded. Ash's last hope for escape and assistance dies, leaving him alone to face the evil.
Crisis
Ash cradles dying Annie as the cabin fills with demonic forces. He faces the apparent impossibility of victory, surrounded by darkness and death.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Annie completes the incantation from the Necronomicon, opening a portal that can banish the evil. Ash gains the knowledge needed for final confrontation.
Synthesis
Ash battles the massive demon entity, using his chainsaw and shotgun. The portal creates a vortex that pulls the evil through time, but also pulls Ash into the medieval past.
Transformation
Ash emerges in 1300 AD, hailed as a prophesied hero by medieval knights. The traumatized victim has transformed into a warrior, chainsaw-armed and ready for battle.