Evil Dead Burn Review: Family Reunion, Deadite Style
Been a while since I did a flash review after visiting the cinema, last one was for Final Destination: Bloodlines (see Tony Todd’s Last Whisper in Final Destination: Bloodlines — A Fitting Farewell to a Horror Icon), so I just figured minutes before sitting down to write this, I reviewed Evil Dead Rise (see Evil Dead Rise Review: A Bold Departure with Intense Gore and Nostalgic Throwbacks) so it’s only right I do this one — Evil Dead Burn.
So, reviews across social media plus the web are mixed, very mixed. Personally, Evil Dead Burn is a worthy strong entry into the franchise but unfortunately is ruined somewhat by the unnecessary final act which wobbles with dodgy CGI and a huge domestic abuse angle which worked better throughout the rest of the movie as you guessed and realised just how bad things had been without the final bullet point into our faces.
Nether the less, Evil Dead Burn really amps up the gore and does something rather different with the Deadites. Prior entries show that the demons are simply existing to create chaos, no direction, no motives, just to bring sheer pandemonium on humanity.
This time, they have a mission, as a dagger forged and created by a sect many years ago, has been hidden by a family’s deceased matriarch figure who studied the Necronomicon plus the whole stories of Deadites, etcetera, for years, casting aside his family for their own safety. This blade can kill the creatures. No cutting off the noggin, this knife gives you a shortcut.
The first slaughter set piece is fantastic and resurrects a Deadite from Evil Dead Rise quite nicely. Then as a war torn tired broken family come together at a huge run-down mansion in the middle of USA Nowhere, snow falling, the fun begins as the dagger is somewhere in the house and the dead want it.
Souhelia Yacub as Alice , this film’s female Ash Williams, totally nails her performance with the right emotions, survival instincts and terror as those around her fall victim only to arise again.
Mind you, wait until you take in Errol Shand’s jaw-dropping take on Deadite possession. He is unhinged beforehand as Edgar, the grieving father to Will, Alice’s husband, who dies (well, no one truly does in these movies) at the beginning. Edgar kills his dog to start with so he can have a faithful Deadite hound, then truly fucks with everyone’s heads throughout the film. Absolutely ridiculous and fun.
I won’t spoil anything else apart from please watch past the credits. There are two sequences (many people left the cinema and missed these) and especially the second one will make you go, “What the actual fuck??!!” In fact, people have moaned the logic of this. Guess what? Haven’t you noticed that there’s no logic to this saga which is what makes it more excellent.
Note: can everyone stop saying Ash needs to return! No! Aside from Bruce’s health, his acting would not fit into the mood of these films. Ash’s tale concluded with the three seasons of Ash Vs Evil Dead. Closed. Seriously, Ash Williams would be very out of place here in a proper role.
That being said, there is enough humour here. There’s a fight sequence that’s so insanely choreographed that it must be seen to be believed, and Grandma Polly is a serious contender for character of the year.
The sets within the dilapidated mansion are brilliantly used, and the bloody crimson splashes paint the walls. Yes. This is insanely gory. It’s over-the-top. It should be ashamed of itself, but so what? This is a gorehound playhouse. Enjoy it.
Negatives? Aside from the message which is wonderfully executed until the nail in the head point at the end, nothing really, bad CGI finale aside. Evil Dead Burn extends everything a little bit and teases more to come. Give it a go. Switch off your head and wait for the rainstorm of gore to eject from the screen.
Directed by: Sébastien Vanicek
Written by: Sébastien Vanicek, Florent Bernard
Produced by: Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi
Cinematography by: Philip Lozano
Editing by: Maxime Caro
Music by: Double Danger
Special Effects by: Creature Cabin, Action Pants FX, Barrie Ewens, Jane O’Kane
Cast: Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Erroll Shand, Maude Davey
Year: 2026
Country: New Zealand, USA, Canada
Language: English
Colour: Colour
Runtime: 1h 50min
Studio: Ghost House Pictures, New Line Cinema, Warner Bros., Screen Gems
Distributor: Warner Bros., StudioCanal UK
