Sam Raimi’s Terrifying PG-13 Horror Movie Is Streaming For Free Before Halloween

When the great Sam Raimi announced that he was planning to direct his first horror film since 1993’s “Army of Darkness,” fans of the genre rejoiced, even learning that the film would be rated PG-13, as a mouthwash after producing three blockbuster superhero films in a row (the “Spider-Man” trilogy starring Tobey Maguire). After all, Raimi got carte blanche with his three blockbuster web flicks. Why not let him explode with dirty “explosion horror”?

If you asked me to name the 10 hottest PG-13 movies of all time, Sam Raimi’s “Drag Me to Hell” would definitely be on the list. It’s a relentlessly terrifying story about an ambitious bank loan officer (Alison Lohman) who is cursed by an elderly Roma woman (Lorna Raver) when she repossesses the financially struggling woman’s home. Lohman’s cruelty, instigated by her boss (David Paymer), leads to her being cursed; Suddenly, she strives to learn everything about Romani superstitions and customs before she is sent to the Bad Place.

Since this is the season of horror, you’re probably in the market for some great horror movies; However, if you’re not a fan and are looking for a new horror movie, you may find the myriad of options overwhelming. If you’re okay with streaming movies for free with commercial breaks, Tubi’s got you covered with some classics you may have passed over. One of these movies could be “Drag Me to Hell.” But why, apart from knowing it’s a horror movie directed by Raimi (who never misses the genre), should you give this movie a try?

Once again, I cannot overstate how ferociously Raimi goes for the jugular in “Drag Me to Hell.” It gets away with a surprising amount of gore (although you’ll find more in the unrated 4K version of Shout! Factory), and it’ll have you howling and screaming in equal measure. Raimi, who gave us gonzo classics like “Evil Dead,” “Darkman” and “The Quick and the Dead,” is in rare form. It’s a master class in pacing (thanks to editor Bob Murawski), and Raimi (who wrote the screenplay with his brother Evan) keeps the narrative plates rolling with ease. And based on the film’s trailer, it looks like he hasn’t lost an ounce of his fastball energy with the recent horror film “Send Help” (which reunites him with “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” star Rachel McAdams).

If there’s a frustrating aspect of “Drag Me to Hell,” it’s that it features the last great performance from Lohman (who has since more or less retired from professional acting). It’s a rivalry to Ridley Scott’s “Matchstick Men,” which represents her best work. It would be great to have Lohman back in front of the camera, but you certainly can’t argue with someone who wants to focus on raising their kids. I bet none of them grow up to be bank loan officers.