Plot Overview
Evil Dead Burn picks up where 2023's Evil Dead Rise left off, following Souheila Yacoub's Alice as she copes with the loss of her husband while staying with her unwelcoming in-laws. Awkward family dinners, including a particularly tense one, are the least of her worries when sinister Deadites arrive seeking an ancient weapon.
A Mean, Unrelenting Horror
Evil Dead Burn is a mean and tough watch, filled with mental and physical pain, but it's a blast for horror enthusiasts. Those not already fans of the Evil Dead series or horror in general should steer clear, as there is little respite from the hell endured by the grieving group.
Director Sébastien Vanicek's Vision
In only his second feature film, director Sébastien Vanicek honors previous Evil Dead directors like Sam Raimi and Lee Cronin with hyperactive camera shots, a blistering one-take sequence, and savage kills. The film teases doom by focusing on potential instruments of destruction, much like Final Destination, and lives up to its title with boiling water, smoke, ash, steam, and tar playing key roles.
Tone and Performances
Burn is largely humorless, with the main house setting being grey, foreboding, and falling apart. However, Maude Davey's Grandma Polly channels the original Dead trilogy's antics. Alice is put through the wringer, and Yacoub overcomes personal trauma to prove her final girl status. Erroll Shand's Edgar resembles a vampire from 30 Days of Night, and a kiss between him and Tandi Wright's Susan is one of the most revolting on film.
Credits Scenes and Final Thoughts
Just when you think you can breathe, two crazy credits scenes hint at an exciting future for the series. If previous Evil Dead flicks turned you off, Burn won't convert you, but horror fans will have a blast watching this family go to hell in a handbasket.
