Scripts
EVIL DEAD poster

Screenplay data

EVIL DEAD script

Five friends vacationing in a remote cabin discover a Book of the Dead and a tape recorder, inadvertently unleashing an ancient evil that possesses Cheryl. Trapped after the bridge is destroyed, the evil spreads, leading Ashly to kill possessed Shelly and Scott, and then decapitate Linda. Ashly battles the remaining possessed Cheryl and the supernatural forces, seemingly defeating the evil by burning the Book of the Dead as dawn breaks. However, the evil quickly returns and attacks Ashly, leaving his ultimate fate uncertain.

Writer
Sam Raimi
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt1288558
Script date
10/13/79
69Scenes
5Characters
34Pages
8Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

EVIL DEAD Save the Cat analysis

A group of friends arrives at a remote cabin where they uncover the Book of the Dead and unleash evil forces.

Open full beat sheet
70

Key characters

Ashly

Ashly is listed as Protagonist. A college student, brother to Cheryl, boyfriend to Linda. In the parsed data, Ashly is connected to 37 scenes, 56 dialogue lines, 58 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.

37 scenes / 56 dialogue lines

Cheryl

Cheryl is listed as Supporting. Ashly's sister, college student. In the parsed data, Cheryl is connected to 36 scenes, 41 dialogue lines, 54 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.

36 scenes / 41 dialogue lines

Scott

Scott is listed as Supporting. College student, boyfriend to Shelly, driver of the car. In the parsed data, Scott is connected to 26 scenes, 48 dialogue lines, 59 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.

26 scenes / 48 dialogue lines

Shelly

Shelly is listed as Supporting. College student, girlfriend to Scott. In the parsed data, Shelly is connected to 20 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.

20 scenes / 21 dialogue lines

Linda

Linda is listed as Supporting. Ashly's girlfriend, college student. In the parsed data, Linda is connected to 18 scenes, 39 dialogue lines, 46 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.

18 scenes / 39 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. EXT. Woods - DAY

    An unseen evil force moves through the woods and uproots a tree.

  2. 2. EXT. Car - DAY

    A logging truck passes, followed by a gold 1973 Oldsmobile.

  3. 3. INT. Car - DAY

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, and Cheryl travel in the car.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  4. 4. EXT. Woods - DAY

    The evil force watches the car from a ridge.

  5. 5. INT. Car - DAY

    Ashly struggles with the map while Scott grows impatient; the radio dies and the steering wheel jerks.

    Ashly, Scott
  6. 6. EXT. Car - DAY

    The car swerves into the opposite lane toward an oncoming tanker.

  7. 7. INT. Car - DAY

    Shelly warns Scott.

    Shelly
  8. 8. EXT. Car - DAY

    The tanker approaches.

  9. 9. INT. Car - DAY

    Ashly yells at Scott to turn.

    Ashly
  10. 10. EXT. Car - DAY

    Scott regains control and swerves back into his lane.

    Scott
  11. 11. EXT. Car - DAY

    The tanker passes safely.

  12. 12. INT. Car - DAY

    The group argues about the car's malfunction.

    Ashly, Scott, Shelly
  13. 13. EXT. Car - DAY

    Local men wave at the car.

  14. 14. INT. Car - DAY

    Scott yells at the men; the group toasts to the weekend.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  15. 15. EXT. Car - DAY

    The car approaches an exit.

  16. 16. INT. Car - DAY

    Ashly identifies the exit.

    Ashly
  17. 17. EXT. Car - DAY

    The car turns onto a dirt lane.

  18. 18. INT. Car - DAY

    Scott and the group discuss the mountains.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  19. 19. EXT. Bridge - DAY

    The car crosses a wooden bridge.

  20. 20. EXT. Cabin - DAY

    The group arrives at the cabin.

    Scott
  21. 21. INT. Car - DAY

    The group discusses the cabin's location.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  22. 22. EXT. Cabin - DAY

    Scott finds the keys and unlocks the cabin.

    Ashly, Scott
  23. 23. INT. Main Room - DAY

    The group explores the cabin; Scott finds a trap door.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  24. 24. EXT. Cabin - TWILIGHT

    Twilight falls on the cabin.

  25. 25. INT. Main Room - TWILIGHT

    Cheryl sketches the clock; her hand moves uncontrollably.

    Cheryl
  26. 26. INT. Kitchen/Main Room - TWILIGHT

    Ashly and Linda enter; Ashly shows Cheryl a surprise.

    Ashly, Linda, Cheryl
  27. 27. INT. Kitchen - TWILIGHT

    Shelly makes a drink.

    Shelly
  28. 28. INT. Dining Room - TWILIGHT

    The group has dinner; Scott jokes about the cellar.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  29. 29. INT. Main Room - TWILIGHT

    The trap door is open; Scott descends into the cellar.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  30. 30. INT. Cellar - TWILIGHT

    Ashly joins Scott; they find the Book of the Dead.

    Ashly, Scott
  31. 31. EXT. Cabin - NIGHT

    Darkness surrounds the cabin.

  32. 32. INT. Main Room - NIGHT

    The group listens to the tape recorder.

    Ashly, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  33. 33. EXT. Cabin - NIGHT

    The forest becomes gloomy as the tape plays.

  34. 34. INT. Main Room - NIGHT

    The group looks to the window.

    Ashly, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  35. 35. EXT. Cabin - NIGHT

    A storm begins.

  36. 36. INT. Main Room - NIGHT

    The tape continues.

  37. 37. EXT. Cabin - NIGHT

    The ground cracks open in the woods.

  38. 38. INT. Main Room - NIGHT

    Cheryl demands the tape be shut off.

    Cheryl
  39. 39. EXT. Cabin - NIGHT

    Birds scream.

  40. 40. INT. Main Room - NIGHT

    Cheryl screams.

    Cheryl
  41. 41. EXT. Cabin - NIGHT

    Lightning strikes.

  42. 42. INT. Main Room - NIGHT

    The window shatters; Ashly gives Linda the necklace.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  43. 43. EXT. Cabin - NIGHT

    The evil entity examines the cabin.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  44. 44. INT. Cheryl's Bedroom - NIGHT

    Cheryl hears breathing.

    Cheryl
  45. 45. EXT. Cabin - NIGHT

    Cheryl steps outside.

    Cheryl
  46. 46. EXT. Woods - NIGHT

    Cheryl is attacked by the woods.

    Cheryl
  47. 47. EXT. Cabin - NIGHT

    Cheryl tries to get back inside.

    Scott, Cheryl
  48. 48. INT. Main Room - NIGHT

    Cheryl is in hysterics.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  49. 49. IN. M.R. - NIGHT

    Cheryl enters the cabin after being attacked by trees, causing panic among the group.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  50. 50. EN. CAB - NIGHT

    Ashly and Cheryl attempt to leave in the car.

    Ashly, Cheryl
  51. 51. IN. CAR - NIGHT

    The car fails to start.

    Ashly, Cheryl
  52. 52. EN. CAB - NIGHT

    The others join Ashly and Cheryl at the car.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  53. 53. IN. CAR - NIGHT

    The car starts and they drive toward the bridge.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  54. 54. EN. B - NIGHT

    They discover the bridge is destroyed.

    Ashly, Cheryl
  55. 55. IN. CAR - NIGHT

    Cheryl panics about being trapped.

    Cheryl
  56. 56. EN. CAB - DAY

    Scott chops wood while others are inside.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  57. 57. IN. M.R. - DAY

    The group plays cards and listens to the tape.

    Ashly, Linda, Scott, Shelly, Cheryl
  58. 58. IN. W.S. - NIGHT

    Ashly secures Linda's body to a workbench and prepares to use a chainsaw, but stops when he sees her eyes return to normal.

    Ashly, Linda
  59. 59. EN. CAB - NIGHT

    Ashly buries Linda, but she reanimates and attacks him; he decapitates her with a spade.

    Ashly, Linda
  60. 60. IN. M.R. - NIGHT

    Ashly returns to the cabin to find Cheryl gone.

    Ashly, Cheryl
  61. 61. IN. S.B. - NIGHT

    Ashly searches the bedroom and is ambushed by Cheryl.

    Ashly, Cheryl
  62. 62. IN. M.R. - NIGHT

    Ashly races to the main room.

    Ashly
  63. 63. EN. CAB - NIGHT

    Cheryl approaches the door.

    Cheryl
  64. 64. IN. MR - NIGHT

    Ashly traps Cheryl's fingers in the door and secures the cabin.

    Ashly, Cheryl
  65. 65. IN. C - NIGHT

    Ashly descends into the basement to retrieve shells.

    Ashly
  66. 66. IN. M.R. - NIGHT

    Ashly faces off against the supernatural forces and Cheryl.

    Ashly, Cheryl, Scott
  67. 67. EN. CAB - NIGHT

    Cheryl is jolted from the door.

    Cheryl
  68. 68. IN. M.R. - NIGHT

    Ashly fights Scott and Cheryl, eventually burning the Book of the Dead.

    Ashly, Scott, Cheryl
  69. 69. EN. CAB - DAWN

    The sun rises as the evil force retreats.

    Ashly

Dialogue examples

No. It's not Scott. Scotty's okay. It's just that ever since we came up here, things have been a little too tense. All these crazy things going on. And look at that window- we're gonna have to pay for that window now.

Ashly / Scene 42

Why have you disturbed our sleep, awakened us from our ancient slumber? You will die. Like the others before you. We will take you one by one. All of you ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-

Cheryl / Scene 57

Well, the guy that's renting it says it's an old place, little run down, but it's right up in the mountains- totally secluded. Best part is, we get it so cheap.

Scott / Scene 14

Okay, okay- then to a wild week-end in a wonderful cabin with good friends, provided we live that long.

Shelly / Scene 14

You know, I always thought I had some sort of extra sense. You know, like e.s.p or something.

Linda / Scene 57

Yeah, probably right. It's probably just some animal. Uh...Cheryl, why don't you make sure.

Scott / Scene 29

I'll tell ya in a second. Now we're still on seventy-five just past the county border...

Ashly / Scene 3

It...it tried to kill me. I, I heard a noise and...and I ran and the trees...the trees!

Cheryl / Scene 48

Use this structured screenplay data

SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.

Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.

Browse scripts API reference MCP setup Free API key