With just days to go before its theatrical release, the review embargo for Evil Dead Burn has officially lifted and while not every critic is completely sold, the latest chapter in the legendary horror franchise is already earning praise for delivering exactly what longtime fans have been craving: relentless gore, inventive kills, and an unapologetically brutal return to Deadite terror.
Directed by Sébastien Vaniček, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed horror thriller Infested, Evil Dead Burn follows a grieving widow who seeks comfort with her late husband’s family, only to find herself trapped in a nightmare as demonic forces begin possessing those around her. The film stars Souheila Yacoub, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, and Tandi Wright, while franchise creators Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert return as producers.
Many of the first reviews have praised Vaniček’s fresh vision for the franchise, with critics highlighting the film’s intense practical effects, creative set pieces, and emotionally grounded story. Several reviewers have even suggested Evil Dead Burn may be the most violent installment the series has ever produced.
Evil Dead Burn [credit: Warner Bros.]
Not every review has been glowing, however. While some critics applauded the film’s willingness to push the boundaries of horror, others argued that its relentless brutality occasionally comes at the expense of the dark humor and charm that helped define earlier entries in the franchise.
One of the film’s stars, Hunter Doohan, recently spoke about the demanding production, revealing that some of the movie’s elaborate action and horror sequences required days of filming and extensive rehearsals.
“How the f— are we going to do this?”
Doohan recalled thinking while preparing for one of the film’s most ambitious set pieces.
Doohan also revealed that he watched every previous Evil Dead film before production began to fully immerse himself in the franchise’s mythology, saying the experience turned him into an even bigger fan.
Ahead of production, Vaniček also shared that Bruce Campbell had one major request for the new installment: respect what made Evil Dead special while still bringing something new to the table. According to the director, Campbell encouraged him to stay true to the franchise’s DNA without simply recreating what had come before.
Whether Evil Dead Burn ultimately ranks among the franchise’s very best remains to be seen, but the early consensus suggests horror fans are in for one of the year’s most intense theatrical experiences. With praise for its practical effects, gruesome kills, and uncompromising vision, the latest chapter appears ready to continue the franchise’s reputation as one of horror’s bloodiest and most enduring series when it opens in theaters on July 10.
