REEL TALK
Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell brings surprising new film to Dallas
Bruce Campbell mourns his wife in 'Ernie & Emma.'
Cult cinema icon Bruce Campbell is making a cross-country trek, but he won’t be screening The Evil Dead. Instead, he is skipping traditional distribution to bring his newest film, Ernie & Emma, directly to the people.
The actor will be in the Dallas area on October 2 for a showing at Alamo Drafthouse Las Colinas (320 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving). The tour features a behind-the-scenes conversation with Campbell and a live Q&A.
Ernie & Emma may be a surprise for viewers who are used to his oddball horror comedies like Bubba Ho-Tep. The film — entirely scripted, directed, produced, and funded by Campbell and his wife, Ida Gearon — is billed as a romantic comedy, albeit one with a little edge.
The story follows Ernie Tyler, a rural pear salesman mourning the loss of his beloved wife. Guided by a detailed list of instructions Emma Tyler left before her death, Ernie sets off on a life-changing road trip. You can watch the trailer below.
The story hits close to home for the comic-con legend. It was filmed in Pear Valley near his Oregon home, and he reportedly based Ernie’s character on his dad. Campbell has also had to contemplate his own mortality after a March cancer diagnosis. On X, he described the cancer as “treatable” but not “curable.”
“It’s incredibly special to share this film with audiences across the nation. Getting to bring it directly to communities and experience those conversations in real time is the reason you make something like this in the first place,” said Campbell in a release. “Loss is universal, and so is the challenge of finding your way forward.”
Ticketing information and times for the screening will be announced at a later date. Still, audiences will have several chances to see the star, who canceled his usual convention schedule to focus on the tour and his health. Besides Dallas, Ernie & Emma will screen at the following Texas Alamo Drafthouse locations:
- October 3 — Alamo Drafthouse Stone Oak, 22806 US-281 N, San Antonio
- October 9 — Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline, 4028 US-183 Bldg F, Austin
- October 10 — Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane, 5701 W. Slaughter Lane, Bldg. F, Austin
