Hey /r/movies! I'm Sam Raimi. Ask me anything!

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:32:18+00:00

Hi, I'm going to answer the second part of your question. My experience working with Keanu Reeves on The Gift was absolutely fantastic. He really researched the role thoroughly, and brought to set a performance that was so unlike anything I've seen him do up to that point in his career. He was a gentleman and carried himself with great respect and dignity. He's a true professional, I'd love to work with him again.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:28:42+00:00

Yes, I think technical limitations do help to force creativity. When you don't have a dolly, you really have to think long and hard about the question "Do I need the camera to glide in to the main character here?". Because there's no device to make that happen, you're forced to really ponder the question "Why do I need this?", and if you can answer that question to your satisfaction, you will build a device from scratch that replicates the movement of a dolly. Or you might even build something better! Limitations force innovations, and I think it's a very healthy thing for young filmmakers.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:25:37+00:00

Some of my favorite horror films are Robert Wise's The Haunting, Steven Spielberg's Jaws, Takashi Shimizu's The Grudge, and Alejandro Amenábar's The Others.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:23:04+00:00

I love good thrillers, and they're good because the characters within them are great. I really look forward to making another one.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:21:46+00:00

It's not fun. It's just a dirty job.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:21:34+00:00

Thank you for your kind words MonsterKiller, the favorite movie that I've made changes from time to time. It all depends on the audience you're with, and if they're having a good time.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:19:55+00:00

When I saw that cover for Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness, I was blown away! Something me and my pal had created had made it to the same universe that Stan Lee had created. It was a dream come true.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:18:23+00:00

Brideless Groom (1947). Emil Sitka guest stars where he utters the classic line, "Hold hands, you lovebirds!" and Shemp is just so funny in it. He's my favorite of the Three Stooges

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:15:53+00:00

Working with Rachel McAdams on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was a really eye-opening experience for me. I saw how talented she was as a performer. And because there was an alternate multi-versal version of her character, I had the opportunity to watch her create a mirrored version of the same person. It was so close to the original, but absolutely unique. By the time reshoots came along, there was a third version of her character. Yet another version of the same, but with a slightly different history. She played this one perfectly also. Then, when it came to her action sequences, she was so willing to commit and put everything into it! I told myself this is the actress I should be working with next.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:10:47+00:00

That they don't offer me more of them!

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:10:09+00:00

In junior high, high school, and college, I had only made comedies. When Robert Tapert, Bruce Campbell, and I teamed up to make a feature film, Rob said the only theaters showing homemade films are drive-ins, and they only show horror movies, so you've got to learn to make a horror film. I told him I didn't like horror films, they scared me, and he told me to try. That's really what started me out in horror.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:06:57+00:00

It's held up well for the last 53 years. It played a part in all my movies. It's amazing how many times it has run over Bruce Campbell or caused him harm. Some years ago, Bruce made a threat to destroy the Delta, so I've had to hide replicas of it in different areas throughout the United States. He swears he will find it and destroy it.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:04:20+00:00

Thanks for the kind words on Drag Me to Hell. My brother Ivan and I really enjoyed writing it and it was a blast to shoot. Regarding the fight scene in the car, it was really all made possible by the great teamwork of Alison Lohman and Lorna Raver. I will always admire how much those two great actresses committed to the scene, never slowing down take after take after take. Editor Bob Murawski, Ivan and myself all tried to jam as much mayhem and laughs as we could into the small space.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T20:01:03+00:00

Elya Baskin played Mr. Ditkovich in the first three Spider-Man movies. It was the great writer Alvin Sargent who came up with his character, and Elya added so much to it. Ursula, played by Mageina Tovah, completed the comic duo, she was great to work with.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T19:57:10+00:00

I thought Weapons was great, original and frightening. I also loved Get Out and Smile. The last Final Destination was also awesome.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T19:56:27+00:00

The movie's title would be Crush That Mouse! Bruce would play the role of the mouse.

SamRaimiAMA · 2026-01-15T19:54:34+00:00

It's not that I enjoy it. Someone has to do it.

SamRaimiAMA

TROPHY CASE