Movie Overview

• Title: Drag Me to Hell

• Release Date: May 29, 2009 (U.S.)

• Genre: Supernatural Horror / Mystery / Thriller

• Director: Sam Raimi; Written by Sam Raimi & Ivan Raimi

• Cast: Alison Lohman (Christine Brown), Justin Long (Clay Dalton), Lorna Raver (Mrs. Ganush), Dileep Rao, David Paymer, Adriana Barraza

• Where to Watch: Available for rent or purchase on Fandango at Home, Amazon Video, Apple TV, Cinemax via Hulu, Plex, Peacock

1. Plot Summary

Christine Brown, a loan officer, denies an elderly woman’s plea for an extension on her mortgage to impress her boss. As retribution, Mrs. Ganush places a supernatural curse on Christine. She now has only three days before a demonic entity drags her soul to hell. In a desperate bid to break the curse, Christine seeks help—but the price to save her soul might prove fatal.

2. Notable Elements

• Signature Raimi Style: The film masterfully blends horror with dark humor and frantic camera movements, evoking Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead roots

• Iconic Set-Pieces: Memorable scenes include Christine’s harrowing parking garage fight in a cramped car, and the grotesque dinner sequence teeming with supernatural terror

• Performance Highlights: Alison Lohman delivers a deeply relatable lead performance—torn between ambition, guilt, and sheer fear. Lorna Raver exudes chilling presence as the vengeful Mrs. Ganush.

• Critical Praise: With a 92% Tomatometer rating, the film is celebrated as a “frightening, hilarious, delightfully campy thrill ride,” marking Raimi’s triumphant return to form

3. Themes & Messages

• Morality and Consequence: The curse unfolds as a morality tale, where Christine’s moral compromise haunts her more literally than figuratively. It parallels themes of greed, regret, and the true cost of ambition, reflecting broader anxieties amid the mortgage crisis

  Advertisement

• Humor as a Coping Mechanism: Raimi balances dread with dark comedy, suggesting that laughter is a vital outlet even in the most terrifying situations.

• The Perils of Denial: Christine’s initial denial of compassion triggers a cascade of supernatural revenge, underscoring the ripple effect of small decisions.

4. Personal Impressions

Strengths:

• Raimi’s direction transforms a simple curse narrative into an unforgettable horror experience packed with innovative visuals and visceral energy.

• The way mundane objects (e.g., a stapler or ruler in a car attack) become weapons, showcases Raimi’s brilliance in turning absurdity into fright.

Areas That Didn’t Work:

• A few narrative elements are conventional by modern horror standards, but Raimi’s style makes them feel fresh rather than predictable.

5. Audience Recommendations

You’ll love it if you enjoy:

• Supernatural horror with strong dark humor and inventive scares.

• Films that deliver horror with a wink—and lean into genre self-awareness.

• Tense, suspense-driven plots with emotional stakes.

Might not be for you if you prefer:

• Low-key horror or deeply symbolic horror without campy or comedic tones.

• Complex psychological horror with vague or ambiguous threats.

6. Conclusion & Rating

Drag Me to Hell stands as one of the most entertaining and visually daring horror films of its era. Sam Raimi reclaims his supernatural horror crown with a relentless, stylishly twisted narrative that earns its thrills—and laughs.

Final Recommendation: A must-watch for fans of horror that’s bold, bizarre, and breathlessly entertaining.
⭐ 4.5/5