‘Ash Vs. Evil Dead’ Is Horror Comedy At Its Best

Horror is often a niche genre. Every now and then, a big scary movie hit will break into mainstream markets and consume pop culture conversations, but the genre’s true fans are are a devoted, well-versed, and gore-loving bunch. That’s why STARZ’s original series Ash vs. Evil Dead, which has just been renewed for a third season, is so delightfully remarkable. Ash is one of best horror comedies on the air because it’s been designed specifically for horror nerds.

A continuation of Sam Raimi’s iconic Evil Dead franchise, Ash vs. Evil Dead picks back up with Ash (Bruce Campbell). After a night of partying too hard, Ash accidentally reads an incantation from the Book of the Dead and re-releases a Deadite plague on all of humanity. The series follows our hapless, irresponsible hero, his sweet sidekick Pablo (Ray Santiago), the moody and badass Kelly (Dana DeLorenzo), and their mysterious and supernatural frenemy Ruby (Lucy Lawless) as they try to stop the plague and save the world. Ash doesn’t watch as a typical comedy series or a typical scary series. It watches as a fast-paced ode to horror itself. From the show’s winking references to Raimi’s universe to the gallons and gallons of gore, it’s clear that this is a comedy that has been designed first and foremost for horror fans. That hyper-specificity is what makes Ash so enjoyable.

There’s a sense of recklessness infused in the series that makes watching Ash feel similar to playing a zombie apocalypse video game. When it comes down to it, I only want three things from campy horror: cheap scares, quippy lines, and amazing kills. Ash understands that, and the series delivers it episode after episode. It’s a show that watches almost completely as gross blood-covered, pus-drenched, vomit-spewing horror fan service, and it’s delightful. Even the casting has that fan service undertone to it, as both Bruce Campbell and Lucy Lawless are known for iconic cult roles, Campbell for Evil Dead‘s Ash and Lawless for Xena: Warrior Princess. This isn’t to say that Campbell and Lawless aren’t great on the show. Both actors play their roles with the perfect blend of arrogance, eye-rolling, and campy eyebrow raising required for this quirky show. However, Ash never tries to be anything other than what it is — gross fun.

There are deeper layers to the series if you want to explore it. Season One made several tongue-in-cheek references to the Evil Dead franchise, and, as we learned during New York Comic Con, Season Two promises to continue that trend with even more cameos. However, at its bloody, pulsing core, Ash vs. Evil Dead is a fearless and, as Season Two’s second episode proves, often disgusting dive into our favorite parts of B horror.

You can watch Season Two of Ash vs. Evil Dead on STARZ or on the STARZ app Sundays at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

[Where to watch Ash vs. Evil Dead]

For more coverage of all things New York Comic Con, including conversations with the casts of War For The Planet Of The Apes, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Underworld: Blood Wars and more, visit decider.com/nycc.