Hubbry Logo
Evil Dead TrapEvil Dead TrapMain
Open search
Evil Dead Trap
Community hub
Evil Dead Trap
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Evil Dead Trap
Evil Dead Trap
from Wikipedia
Evil Dead Trap
Theatrical release poster
Directed byToshiharu Ikeda
Written byTakashi Ishii
Produced bySatoshi Jinno
Michio Ôtsuka
Starring
CinematographyMasaki Tamura
Music byTomohiko Kira
Production
companies
Distributed byJoy Pack Film
Release date
  • May 14, 1988 (1988-05-14)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Evil Dead Trap (Japanese: 死霊の罠, romanizedShiryō no wana, lit.'Trap of the Dead Spirits') is a 1988 Japanese supernatural slasher film directed by Toshiharu Ikeda and produced by Japan Home Video. The film stars Miyuki Ono, Yuji Honma, Aya Katsuragi, Eriko Nakagawa, Hitomi Kobayashi and Masahiko Abe, follow a television team enters an abandoned building to track down the source of a mysterious videotape before they are pursued by something unseen.

Plot

[edit]

Late-night TV show host Nami asks her viewers to send in home movies; she receives a snuff film shot at a disused military base, featuring a woman who resembles her. The footage ends with a photograph of her own face, which disturbs her. The station does not believe the footage real yet forbids her to show the footage on-air, but allows her to take her production crew -- Rie, Mako, Rei, and Kondo -- and travel to the scene to investigate. Though some of the employees are reluctant to explore the abandoned base, their television slot is losing money, and the venture may be their last chance to revive interest in the crew.

When the crew arrives, the base appears empty, and they split up to explore and attempt to locate the culprit -- who, unbeknownst to them, is already nearby and stalking their movements. While investigating on her own, Nami encounters a mysterious man, Daisuke, who advises her to leave and reveals that he is also on the base to look for someone, but does not elaborate further before leaving. Meanwhile, Rei and Kondo, who have been having an affair, have sex in an abandoned workshop. After Rei cleans her dirtied clothes, she is unable to find Kondo again, and instead discovers the corpse of the woman from the snuff film. As she panics, the killer impales her with several metal poles, and she dies.

An oblivious Kondo meets Nami and Rie back at the work van, where Nami admits a frightened Rie that she's motivated by personal reasons, curious about the kind of man the culprit is. Mako, having discovered the building where the snuff film was created, alerts the rest of the crew. They enter and are greeted by Rei's corpse, which the killer has rigged to frighten them. Rie panics and flees as the ceiling above the entrance caves in, trapping the rest of the crew. Though she manages to escape to the van, she is ambushed by the snuff film victim's boyfriend, who the killer has kept has a prisoner; he tells her that the killer promised his freedom if he killed any trespassers, but decides to rape Rie first. During the act, he reveals that the killers are "two in one," not human, and hunt and kill for pleasure. Rie attempts to escape afterwards, but both she and the prisoner are murdered by the killer.

While trying to flee the building, the survivors are split up: Nami and Kondo fall through a hole in the floor, while Mako is attacked by the killer and faints. Nami regains consciousness on the rooftop, where she discovers Kondo's headless corpse. Daisuke arrives and takes her to safety, explaining that he used to live at the base with his brother, the man he's attempting to find. Sensing the killer's approach, Daisuke leaves to confront him, getting hit by a spear in the process. When he does not return, Nami tries to find him, instead stumbling upon a television set displaying footage of Mako pleading for help. Nami runs to rescue her, but the killer has booby-trapped the room where she is being held captive; Nami accidentally triggers one of the traps, which kills Mako.

The killer then attacks Nami with fireworks and arrows, but is held back by Daisuke, who appears and fires at the killer with a revolver. He leads Nami through an underground passage to safety and gives her the gun, claiming that the culprit is "a kid" and that he will go back to finish him off. Nami returns to the van, but upon seeing the killer drag away the bodies of Rie and the prisoner, decides to stay to apprehend him. Returning to the killer's hideout, she discovers his bedroom: photographs of him as a young boy with his mother (her photograph riddled with nails), stacks of televisions showing footage of her show, and voice recordings of the killer's mother. Realizing that the killer associates her with his own mother, Nami hears his approach, and sees him dragging the two bodies into nearby cots and talking with a disembodied voice.

Confronted in the bedroom, Nami learns that the killers are both Daisuke and his twin brother Hideki, a mutant newborn baby that lives within Daisuke's chest, has psychic abilities, and can teleport and breathe fire. Daisuke, having grown weary with the killings, allows Nami to shoot him, but Hideki bursts from his chest and also attacks Nami, setting the building on fire. Daisuke manages to trap Hideki back into his chest and set himself on fire with the baby inside. His charred corpse briefly strangles Nami, but she cuts him with glass and causes him to fall out a window to his final death.

Recovering in the hospital, Nami is met by a detective, who explains that the police were unable to locate anything matching Hideki at the scene, and removes his description from the report, thinking that Nami had hallucinated his existence. Later, Nami airs a tribute to her colleagues at the station to great acclaim. Upon leaving, an assistant hands her a parcel, claiming that a man was returning it to Nami. Discovering that it is the same lighter that Daisuke had used, Nami panics, and the strangulation marks on her neck begin to cause her pain. Collapsing to the floor, she realizes that Hideki somehow entered her own body, and as he bursts through her stomach, he calls her "Mommy."

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Special effects were by Shinichi Wakasa who would go on to a career as a monster-suit maker for several Godzilla films.[citation needed]

Hitomi Kobayashi who plays the supporting role of Rei Sugiura was a top star for Japan Home Video (JHV) under their adult video (AV) label Alice Japan. JHV financed the film as a vehicle for Kobayashi. However, director Toshiharu Ikeda, unsure of Kobayashi's acting ability, instead put Miyuki Ono in the starring role.[1]

Release

[edit]

Evil Dead Trap was released theatrically in Japan as 死霊の罠 (Shiryō no wana) on May 14, 1988.[2] It was later released in Japan on VHS on September 25, 1988[3] and as a DVD on June 23, 2000.[4] On November 7, 2000, the film was released on DVD in the United States by Synapse Films. The release included the original theatrical trailer, and audio commentary by director Ikeda and special effects manager Shinichi Wakasa.[5]

Reception

[edit]

Evil Dead Trap received positive reviews from critics, with praise highlighting the film's mixing of giallo and slasher film genres, cinematography, and special effects, while most criticism was directed at the film's ending.

Jon Condit from Dread Central rated the film a score of three out of five, highlighting the soundtrack, story, and cinematography as being reminiscent of Dario Argento's giallo films. While calling the film "fun and well crafted", Condit criticized the film's weak ending.[6] Niina Doherty of HorrorNews.net also criticized the film's ending while commending the cinematography, special effects, and mixture of elements from slasher and giallo films.[7] Empire's Mark Dinning gave the film four out of five stars, praising the film's cinematography, gore effects, and style, calling it, "an effective and bloody slasher let down only by its last act".[8] In their book Japanese Cinema: Essential Handbook, authors Thomas and Yuko Weisser awarded the film four out of four stars, calling it the best of contemporary J-Horror cinema, while also noting Argento's films as obvious inspiration.[9]

Legacy

[edit]

Evil Dead Trap was followed by one sequel. Evil Dead Trap 2 (also known as Hideki: Evil Dead Trap 2), was directed by Izo Hashimoto and released in 1992. The film is a loose continuation of the first and follows a theater projectionist, Aki, who sees visions of a ghostly boy named Hideki while Aki thinks she might be a serial killer that targets women.

The 1993 film Chigireta ai no satsujin, directed by Evil Dead Trap director Toshiharu Ikeda, was released internationally under the title of Evil Dead Trap 3: Broken Love Killer. In the film, a policewoman investigates the apparent suicide of a college student. The film has no connection to the first two in the series.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Evil Dead Trap (Japanese: 死霊の罠, Hepburn: Shiryō no Wana) is a 1988 Japanese directed by Toshiharu Ikeda. The movie stars Miyuki Ono as Nami Tsuchiya, a presenter whose ratings are declining, prompting her to take her crew to an abandoned army warehouse to film an investigation of a mysterious snuff tape she received in the mail. What begins as a for higher viewership spirals into a night of brutal killings, grotesque traps, and otherworldly phenomena as the group uncovers dark secrets within the derelict facility. Written by Takashi Ishii, the screenplay draws inspiration from Italian thrillers and American horror like Sam Raimi's , blending slasher tropes with surreal and exploitation elements. Produced by , the film was shot on 35mm and features practical effects for its graphic violence, including dismemberments and pyrotechnic sequences that emphasize its low-budget ingenuity. With a runtime of 102 minutes, it premiered in on May 14, 1988, and later received international distribution through releases. Upon release, Evil Dead Trap received mixed reviews for its erratic pacing and underdeveloped characters but was praised for its atmospheric tension, inventive kills, and visual style reminiscent of directors like Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci. It has a 50% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Over time, the film has developed a dedicated following among horror enthusiasts for its bizarre narrative twists and unhinged energy, spawning a direct-to-video sequel, Evil Dead Trap 2, in 1992. In recent years, restored versions have become available on streaming platforms like Shudder, introducing it to new audiences as a hidden gem of 1980s J-horror.

Story and characters

Plot

Nami Tsuchiya, the host of a , receives an anonymous depicting the graphic and of a woman in an abandoned . Intrigued by the footage's authenticity, she assembles a small crew—including assistant Rei Sugiura, lighting technician Rya Kawamura, makeup artist Masako Abe, and cameraman Daisuke Muraki—to investigate the site and film a special segment for her program, defying her producer's warnings. Upon arriving at the dilapidated , the group explores the eerie, trap-filled structure, splitting up to search for clues about the tape's origins. Tensions escalate as they encounter signs of recent habitation, and soon, an unseen assailant in a hooded robe begins systematically eliminating the crew through brutal booby traps and direct attacks: Rei is impaled on spikes from a hidden mechanism, Rya is garroted, and Masako is slashed in the head with a . Nami and Muraki, who reveals he is searching for his missing twin brother , manage to evade death longer, navigating the labyrinthine building while piecing together that the killings are connected to horrific experiments conducted there decades earlier. As the survivor count dwindles, the film shifts from slasher conventions to supernatural horror when Hideki is unmasked as a , fetus-like — the result of illicit medical procedures—conjoined in spirit to Muraki and driven by rage over his abandoned existence. Hideki targets Nami for her reproductive viability, intending to use her body to achieve a twisted rebirth, leading to a climactic involving monstrous transformations and Daisuke's sacrificial intervention. Nami ultimately escapes the base but remains haunted by visions of the entity, implying the trap's evil endures.

Cast

The principal cast of Evil Dead Trap features a ensemble of Japanese actors portraying a television production crew drawn into a nightmarish investigation. Leading the group is Miyuki Ono as Nami Tsuchiya, the ambitious host whose receipt of a disturbing propels the plot. Yūji Honma plays Daisuke Muraki, the cameraman and Nami's colleague who provides technical support during the perilous excursion. Supporting roles include Aya Katsuragi as Masako Abe, the team's whose practical skills become vital amid the escalating horrors. Hitomi Kobayashi portrays Rei Sugiura, the assistant grappling with the elements of the abandoned complex. Eriko Nakagawa appears as Rya Kawamura, another member contributing to the investigative dynamic.
ActorRoleDescription
Miyuki OnoNami TsuchiyaLate-night TV host and protagonist who uncovers the snuff tape mystery.
Yūji HonmaDaisuke MurakiCameraman assisting in filming the investigation.
Aya KatsuragiMasako Abe on the crew.
Hitomi KobayashiRei SugiuraAssistant facing traps and entities.
Eriko NakagawaRya KawamuraAdditional member involved in the horror.
Masahiko AbeAkio KondoSupporting role in the production team.
The cast's performances emphasize the shift from routine media work to survival horror, with Ono's portrayal anchoring the film's blend of giallo influences and supernatural terror. Minor characters, such as the TV producer played by Shinsuke Shimada, provide investigative and contextual support without dominating the narrative.

Production

Development

The screenplay for Evil Dead Trap (original title: Shiryô no wana) was written by Takashi Ishii, a and known for his work on the erotic Angel Guts (Tenshi no Harawata) series, which explored themes of and female sexuality. The film's protagonist, Nami Tsuchiya, shares her name with the central character from Ishii's Angel Guts stories, suggesting a deliberate carryover of motifs involving a woman's inner torment and societal pressures. Directed by Toshiharu Ikeda, who had previously helmed adaptations of Ishii's Angel Guts material, including Angel Guts: Red Porno (1981), the project marked a transition for both creators from the genre—characterized by erotic thrillers—to more explicit horror territory. The film's development occurred amid Japan's burgeoning direct-to-video (V-Cinema) market in the late 1980s, spearheaded by distributor , which sought to capitalize on the growing demand for low-budget genre films influenced by Western slashers and Italian . Ikeda produced the film through his own company, Director's Company, allowing for creative control in blending slasher conventions with surreal, body-horror elements. The narrative's core twist, involving a vengeful entity tied to themes of and maternal guilt, drew from the cultural phenomenon of Mizuko Kuyō—Buddhist rituals for memorializing aborted or miscarried fetuses—which gained prominence in during the 1970s and 1980s amid rising abortion rates and tabloid sensationalism. Influences from international horror shaped the script's structure and visuals, including David Cronenberg's (1983) for its media-saturated paranoia and snuff-film premise, as well as the grotesque, dreamlike sequences reminiscent of and Mario Bava's works. The English title Evil Dead Trap was selected post-production to exploit the international popularity of Sam Raimi's series, despite no direct connection, aligning with Japan's trend of titling horror exports to appeal to overseas markets. This strategic choice, combined with the film's emphasis on gore and atmospheric dread over linear plotting, positioned it as a pioneering entry in modern Japanese horror, bridging erotic undertones from the creators' roots with emerging J-horror sensibilities.

Filming and special effects

The principal filming location for Evil Dead Trap was the abandoned remnants of Camp Drake, a former U.S. in Asaka, , . This sprawling, derelict site provided the film's eerie, labyrinthine factory setting, enhancing the atmosphere of isolation and dread during night shoots. Cinematographer Masaki Tamura employed low-light techniques to capture the site's shadowy interiors, emphasizing the obscurity and central to the narrative. The production, financed by , was completed on a modest budget typical of late-1980s Japanese horror (approximately ¥10-20 million), allowing for extended location work but limiting elaborate setups. Ikeda, transitioning from Nikkatsu's roman porno genre, incorporated explicit elements influenced by his background, while the shoot prioritized practical setups over digital aids, aligning with the era's emphasis on tangible horror. No major delays or accidents were reported, though the remote, unsecured site required careful crew management for safety. Special effects were handled by a team of Japanese genre veterans, focusing on practical gore and to evoke visceral terror. Visual effects supervisor Ito crafted the film's supernatural elements, including and telekinetic sequences, using matte paintings and in-camera tricks for seamless integration. Special makeup effects artist Shinichi Wakasa designed the graphic wounds, mutilations, and transformations, drawing from his expertise in grotesque prosthetics seen in later works like Gantz. These effects drew comparisons to Italian giallo and Lucio Fulci's splatter style, with standout sequences like melting flesh and explosive dismemberments achieved through latex appliances, blood, and hydraulic rigs. The practical approach amplified the film's raw intensity, avoiding the CGI trends that would emerge later in .

Release

Theatrical release

Evil Dead Trap premiered theatrically in on May 14, 1988, under its original title Shiryō no Wana (死霊の罠). The film was produced and distributed by , a company known for financing horror projects during the late 1980s Japanese video boom. The release capitalized on the era's popularity of direct-to-video horror but secured a limited cinema run in select Japanese theaters. International theatrical distribution was minimal, with the film primarily circulating through video markets abroad rather than wide cinema screenings.

Home media

The original release of Evil Dead Trap was on in by , the film's production company, shortly after its theatrical debut in May 1988. This edition featured the film in its native without subtitles, aligning with the era's standard for domestic horror releases. In Western markets, the film circulated primarily through unofficial bootleg tapes during the 1990s, gaining a among horror enthusiasts for its graphic content and stylistic influences from Italian and American slashers. These bootlegs often suffered from poor video quality and incomplete subtitles, contributing to the film's underground reputation before any licensed availability. No official releases occurred outside . The first official North American home media edition arrived on DVD from Synapse Films on November 7, 2000, presenting a digitally mastered transfer (1.85:1 ) with removable English subtitles, an by director Toshiharu Ikeda and special effects manager Shinichi Wakasa, and the original theatrical trailer. This release marked a significant milestone, introducing the film to a broader audience and highlighting its surreal horror elements. Subsequent DVD and Blu-ray editions expanded accessibility internationally. In , Maxam issued the first Blu-ray on , 2020, in resolution with 2.0 mono, English subtitles, and region-free playback. followed with a U.S. Blu-ray and DVD combo on August 24, 2021 (distributed by MVD Entertainment Group), featuring a 1.66:1 , multiple audio commentaries (including one with Ikeda and Wakasa, plus critics Kurando Mitsutake and James Mudge), a "Trappings of the Dead" featurette, storyboards, stills, and trailers. In the UK, 88 Films released a region B-locked Blu-ray on February 26, 2024, with high-definition presentation, original mono audio, improved English subtitles, and similar extras to the Unearthed edition. Additional European releases, such as a French Blu-ray digipak bundling the first and second films by ESC Editions in , further supported high-definition restorations.
RegionFormatLabelRelease DateKey Features
VHS1988Japanese audio, no subtitles
DVDSynapse FilmsNovember 7, 20001.85:1 , English subs, commentary, trailer
Blu-rayMaxamSeptember 25, 2020, DTS-HD 2.0 mono, English subs, region free
Blu-ray/DVD/MVDAugust 24, 20211.66:1, multiple commentaries, , region A/1
Blu-ray88 FilmsFebruary 26, 2024 1.66:1, mono audio, improved subs, region B
Blu-ray ()ESC EditionsFebruary 15, 2022HD presentation, bundled with sequel, region B

Reception

Initial reviews

Upon its theatrical release in Japan on May 14, 1988, Evil Dead Trap garnered attention as a pioneering effort in , blending slasher elements with explicit gore effects that drew from Western influences like Italian films. The production was covered extensively in contemporary film periodicals, including multiple features in Kinema Junpo magazine's 1988 issues: a pre-release screening room review in the April upper issue, film criticism in the July upper issue, and an introduction in the July lower issue. These early assessments highlighted the film's bold departure from traditional Japanese supernatural horror, emphasizing its innovative use of practical for brutal kill scenes, such as and , which were uncommon in domestic cinema at the time. While not a mainstream blockbuster, the movie was noted for its stylistic and atmospheric tension in abandoned settings, contributing to its recognition as a foundational splatter work.

Modern assessments

In the years following its initial release, Evil Dead Trap has achieved status among international horror fans, particularly for its blend of extreme gore, atmospheric tension, and influences from Western filmmakers like , , and , adapted through a distinctly Japanese lens. A 2019 retrospective review highlighted its worldwide appeal despite narrative flaws, noting that its popularity in led to two sequels and its ability to deliver "inventive gore" and a "shocking" industrial setting make it enduringly watchable for enthusiasts. Similarly, a 2021 analysis praised the film's "chilling practical effects" and "sleazy" vibe, rating it 3 out of 5 for its brutal slasher elements, though critiquing the slow pacing in quieter sections. The 2021 Unearthed Films Blu-ray release has spurred renewed scholarly and fan interest, featuring a retrospective featurette titled "Trappings of the Dead: Reflecting on a Japanese Cult Classic" that explores its underground impact. Subsequent home media releases, including 88 Films' Blu-ray in February 2024, have further enhanced its accessibility to international audiences. Modern commentators, including film critic Calum Waddell, have noted its frequent citations in interviews with contemporary Japanese horror directors, suggesting it helped shape the visual style of later J-horror films like Ringu (1998) through its eerie, confined environments and trap-based kills. Audio commentary on the release by James Mudge delves into its complex themes of and , positioning it as more than a simple but a work with layered . Deeper retrospective analyses have reframed the film beyond its surface-level slasher reputation, interpreting its surreal finale as a psychological exploration of Mizuko Kuyō—the Japanese ritual for appeasing spirits of aborted fetuses—manifesting as a vengeful entity tormenting the protagonist. A 2023 essay challenged earlier dismissals of the film's latter half as "nonsensical," arguing instead that its dreamlike logic evokes or Fulci in evoking maternal guilt and cultural anxieties around reproduction in 1980s . Feminist readings, such as a 2019 review, commend the portrayal of the all-female TV crew and emphasize progressive elements in portraying female resilience amid violence, though acknowledging problematic scenes like an unnecessary assault for shock value. Overall, these assessments rate it highly for gore aficionados, with scores around 4 out of 5, celebrating it as a "delight" for fans of transgressive J-horror.

Legacy

Sequels

Evil Dead Trap (1988) was followed by two additional films in the series, though neither shares a direct narrative continuation with the original or each other, functioning more as thematic or titular successors in the genre. The first sequel, Evil Dead Trap 2: Hideki (original title: Shiryō no wana 2: Hideki), was directed by Izo Hashimoto and released on July 11, 1992, in . The film centers on Aki, a film tormented by visions of a ghostly , and her friend Emi, a television reporter, as they become entangled in a series of brutal murders targeting young women in an urban setting. As the investigation unfolds, the characters uncover dark secrets and influences that drive them toward madness, blending with hallucinatory sequences and industrial atmospheres. Despite the title, it diverges significantly from the original's found-footage style and isolated horror, opting instead for a more surreal and psychologically driven narrative loaded with gore and stylistic visuals. The second sequel, Evil Dead Trap 3: Broken Love Killer (original title: Chigireta ai no satsujin, also known as The Brutal Insanity of Love), was directed by Toshiharu Ikeda, who also helmed the 1988 original, and released in 1993. Written by Ishii—the same screenwriter behind —the story follows policewoman Nami as she probes the apparent of a , leading her to a suspicious and his . Her inquiries take her to a where she witnesses a violent axe attack, and soon mutilated corpses begin appearing, revealing a with ties to themes of obsession and . Like its predecessor, this entry prioritizes mystery and thriller elements over overt horror, with less emphasis on gore and more on atmospheric tension in rural and urban locales. It remains unrelated in plot to the prior installments, serving as a loose franchise extension through shared creative personnel and the "Evil Dead Trap" branding.

Influence

Evil Dead Trap has achieved cult status among horror enthusiasts worldwide, particularly for its blend of aesthetics, extreme gore, and unconventional narrative structure, which distinguished it from mainstream of the era. Released during a period when J-horror was beginning to explore more visceral and experimental forms, the film contributed to the evolution of the splatter subgenre in , bridging Western influences with local sensibilities and paving the way for later . The film's use of elaborate booby traps and graphic death sequences has been frequently cited as a precursor to the trap-based horror and torture porn subgenres that gained prominence in the . Critics and reviewers have noted similarities to James Wan's Saw (2004), suggesting that Evil Dead Trap's inventive kill mechanisms and isolated, labyrinthine setting anticipated the mechanics of later films in that franchise. For instance, the protagonist's encounters with sadistic contraptions echo the elaborate puzzles and mutilations central to Saw's premise, positioning Ikeda's work as an early example of such tropes in international horror. Beyond direct cinematic parallels, Evil Dead Trap influenced the broader landscape of Japanese filmmaking by emphasizing practical effects and , elements that resonated in subsequent works exploring psychological and physical torment. Its impact is evident in the horror of the late 1980s and 1990s, where similar transformations and atmospheric dread appear, drawing from the film's visual style. Additionally, the movie's portrayal of empowered yet vulnerable protagonists contributed to discussions on in horror, influencing feminist readings of the in Asian cinema.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.