Evil Dead Trap 2: Hideki is the 1992 sequel to 1988’s original- the first film was a demented blend of slasher 'n' giallo, with extreme gore & a fair bit of sleaze. This sequel while still having giallo elements in its make-up, is less sleazy ‘n’ gore bound- with a focus more on arty drama and are-they-mad-or-not thriller. Here from Unearthed Films, who reissued the first Evil Dead Trap last year is a new Blu-Ray release.

Evil Dead Trap 2: Hideki  (aka Shiryô no wana 2: Hideki) was directed by  Shimane Prefecture, Japan  born Izô Hashimoto. Between the years 1987 and 2014 he has nine directorial credits to his name- these take in the action comedy The West Tako Cheerleaders (1987), tripped out bloodbath Lucky Sky Diamond (1990), Sci-fi horror Teito monogatari gaiden (1995). Though he is most known as a  screenplay writer, having thirty-three credits to his name including the highly influential manga adaptation Akira ( 1988).

The film focuses on Aki Ôtani(Shoko Nakajima) a slightly larger tomboy, who works as a projectionist. She is very shy/ introverted with only one real friend, Emi (Rie Kondoh) a glamorous if brash and obnoxious TV presenter- and this is where one of the only links back to the original film come from- so you really don’t have to have seen the first film to watch this.

Early on in the film Aki keeps noticing a strange child- first at work in the cinema, then later everywhere she goes. In the meantime, a serial killer is slashing up women and leaving their bodies to be discovered in very public places. As things go on Aki starts wondering if she is the killer, and if the phantom boy is some connection to it all. 

On a rare night out Emi introducers Aki to Kurahashi (Shirô Sano) a rather straight-laced and geeky-looking businessman, who turns out to be way more creepy and sleazy- as he starts stalking Aki….or does he?. And this one of the key elements to the film's make-up, what’s real and what’s not- as the whole thing unfolds in a bright neon edged post noir manner, which it edges with giallo touches, and later horror fantasy tropes which nod towards the likes of Dario Argento.

The only firm link back to the first film, is that the little boy Emi sees is seemingly the same little boy who appeared in the footage filmed by the female journalist presenter in the first film. Sure like the first film we do dip into body horror elements- but these are fleeting, and appear in the last quarter of the film.

I’ll have to say I was most intrigued and entertained by Evil Dead Trap 2: Hideki- yes it’s a different type of film from the first, and really if you're looking for all-out gory Japanese madness you’ll be sorely disappointed/ possible bored with much of the film- as this side only truly kicks in the last quarter, and things reach nowhere near the height of the first film. What we’ve got here for most of the film's runtime is dreamy, at points tragic blend of drama, thiller, with giallo/ dark fantasy elements weaved in. All of the three main cast are good in their roles, but Nakajima is the highlight as the initially shy and awkward projectionist. Another thing worth a mention about the film is the moody and impactful score which utilises an interesting sound pallet of hammered dulcimer, electro-vibe tones, and synth scaping.

Moving onto this region free Blu Ray, and we get a well-defined, crisp, and clear new scan of the film- really brings to life both the bright neon and more moodily arty elements of the picture. Unfortunately, aside from a trailer and Image gallery, we get no other extras- which is a surprise, as normally on similar Unearthed Films releases we get either a commentary track and/or featurettes too- but I understand labels can’t always manage to source / or have the funds to do this.

In finishing Evil Dead Trap 2: Hideki is a decidedly different kettle of fish from the gory ‘n’ sleazed first film. Been more of a darkly dreamy drama/ thriller than anything, but it’s nevertheless a most worthy and intriguing film. With Unearthed Films presenting us with a great and bold scan of this distinctive 1990s Japanese genre film.