Francis Garuppi’s The Last Stop in Yuma County

The film, which debuted in 2024, didn’t quite make waves commercially, even though it received rave reviews—sitting at a notable 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. Still, it left a mark, impressing director Sam Raimi enough to invite Garuppi to helm the next Evil Dead franchise entry set for release after 2026, titled Evil Dead Burn.

The Last Stop in Yuma County is a gripping thriller and arguably one of the standout films of 2024. It might lack supernatural elements, yet that absence actually strengthens its narrative, reminiscent of Raimi’s style in the Evil Dead films, showcasing Garuppi’s smooth transition from the eerie desert landscape to high-octane chaos.

The Last Stop in Yuma County: A Series of Poor Choices

The film follows Jim Cummings, a knife salesman, who makes a loop through Arizona on his way to California. After filling up at a gas station with his daughter, he learns that the fuel truck hasn’t arrived. He heads to the nearby diner, but this is just the beginning of a chain of terrible decisions—a common thread in thriller narratives.

As he waits, two dubious characters appear, instantly recognizable as suspects from a recent bank heist. With more customers arriving, Cummings and a waitress scramble to alert the authorities without creating chaos—but, of course, they don’t succeed. What ensues is a tense standoff that escalates. Afterward, the film spends around thirty minutes layering on twists that challenge the perception of Cummings’ character, who might not be the innocent bystander he appears to be. This unpredictability is a key highlight, making it all the more regrettable that it hasn’t received the recognition it deserves.

Garuppi’s work is making its mark as one of the best directorial debuts of this decade. He has already proven himself as a capable writer-director who builds tension effectively, always anticipating the audience’s next move. What begins as a straightforward hostage thriller rapidly morphs into a wildly engaging survival tale amid chaos.

Garuppi: An Ideal Fit for the Evil Dead Franchise

The Evil Dead series is noted for its innovative and consistent approach to horror, with a fundamental premise: gather characters, trap them, and unleash terror. This model has powered Raimi’s initial films, along with Fede Alvarez’s 2011 remake and the recent entry, Evil Dead Rise. The upcoming Evil Dead: Dark Army takes a different approach but retains that chilling essence. The Last Stop in Yuma County, while it doesn’t rely on supernatural scares, resonates with this core framework.

Garuppi grasps the fundamentals of creating dread. His narrative features a group of ordinary people thrust into a dire situation, terrorized by forces beyond their control. Together with cinematographer Mac Fisken, he demonstrates impressive control, employing the viewer’s perspective to dive deeper into the characters’ minds, intentionally slowing the pace to ramp up the tension and reveal surprise elements in the plot. Though it may not match the kinetic energy of earlier Evil Dead entries, it certainly showcases Garuppi’s competency in building suspense before culminating in violence and unexpected twists.

In its final thirty minutes, The Last Stop in Yuma County highlights Raimi’s signature characteristics, including a dark sense of humor. When Cummings’ character attempts to navigate a dire situation for personal gain, Garuppi weaves in various unforeseen elements, such as the chaotic arrival of a baby crying at an inopportune moment. It’s easy to liken Cummings to a contemporary Bruce Campbell, as his plans unravel and fate seems to conspire against him, much like in any Evil Dead flick.

When Will Evil Dead Rise Again?

As for Garuppi’s connection to the Evil Dead franchise, details are still emerging. His involvement was confirmed in 2024 but he isn’t taking the helm for Evil Dead Burn, which will instead be directed by Sebastian Vinicek, due for release in 2026. Still, there’s a synergy there. Garuppi, in interviews, has expressed his admiration for the franchise, boasting about the posters on his office wall and even having multiple copies of the Necronomicon on his desk.

For now, fans of the series will have to wait for another encounter with Deadites, but they can check out The Last Stop in Yuma County, currently available for rent on various streaming platforms. It’s a tantalizing hint at the direction Garuppi could take the franchise in the future.