The first cut of Evil Dead that the producers brought before the MPAA earned an NC-17 rating, but it has just been announced that a revised version now merits an ‘R’ rating.
According to Box Office Mojo, Evil Dead is now rated R for: “strong bloody violence and gore, some sexual content and language.” But considering that this a remake of Evil Dead, we were all kind of expecting that, weren’t we?
This isn’t an unusual occurrence. The MPAA rates dozens of films per year, and there are many cases where filmmakers have to go back and re-cut the film to achieve an ‘R’ rating. If they don’t, it’s almost a guarantee that their film won’t make any money. I was employed at a major multiplex theatre off and on for five-and-a-half years. In that time, I don’t believe we ever once screened an NC-17 film.
It wouldn’t be a hyperbole to call an NC-17 rating a death sentence. That is the only rating which is non-negotiable about the people who can actually go and see the movie.
There is a problem with the process of resubmission over how it forces the director to compromise their vision just to sell tickets. Despite that, Evil Dead‘s director, Fede Alvarez tweeted that he was actually proud that they scored an ‘NC-17’ on the first cut. This new remake of Evil Dead is marketed as “the most terrifying thing that you will ever experience.” Could it be possible that the film won’t be as terrifying due to these new cuts?
If you’d like to know more about how the MPAA operates, then I recommend you watch the documentary, This Film is Not Yet Rated. It’s an excellent look at the MPAA works.
What are your thoughts about the Evil Dead‘s new rating? Do you believe that they should have to re-cut the film? Do you have your own opinions on the MPAA’s process? Why don’t you just tell us your thoughts in the comments below?
Source: Bleeding Cool