Remake of the 1981 film Evil Dead plays at SXSW

The Associated Press, Friday, March 8, 2013, 10:54pm (PST)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Plans to remake the 1981 cult horror film "Evil Dead" may have brought some initial skepticism. But with the original filmmakers behind the scenes and a fresh-faced director to inject youthful enthusiasm, the South by Southwest festival crowd in Austin welcomed the reboot with open arms.

Fede Alvarez makes his debut as a feature film director, with the original producer Robert Tapert returning. Also helping out with producer duties are Sam Raimi, who directed the original, and Bruce Campbell, who starred in it.

The reboot stars Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Jessica Lucas, Lou Taylor Pucci and Elizabeth Blackmore playing four new characters. The movie's plot remains the same.

The mix of fire hose blood spray, psychological terror and black humor also remain true to the original, considered a horror masterpiece.