Review | Evil Dead Burn by Vaniček (2026)

Rating

2.5

MEDIOCRE

Following the lukewarm reception of Evil Dead Rise, the latest installment in the franchise was anticipated with optimism, especially under the direction of French filmmaker Sébastien Vaniček, who gained recognition in 2023 for his work on Vermines. While Evil Dead Burn does elevate the franchise, it unfortunately lacks the unique essence that is challenging to replicate.

A French Influence

Among American horror-fantasy franchises, Evil Dead is not the first to feature a French episode. Sébastien Vaniček follows in the footsteps of directors like Dominique Othenin-Girard, who helmed Halloween 5 in 1989 and La Malédiction 4: L’éveil in 1990, as well as Jean-Pierre Jeunet, known for Alien: Resurrection in 1997, and Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, who directed Leatherface in 2017. These filmmakers have been brought on for their talent and to meet specific creative requirements.

On the Evil Dead series, Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, the original trilogy's director and producer (1983-1994), aim to provide a platform for young directors, granting them considerable creative freedom. The 2013 remake, the 2023 reboot Evil Dead Rise, and the latest film Evil Dead Burn all reflect the vision, style, and signature elements of Fede Alvarez, Lee Cronin, and Sébastien Vaniček. However, the 2013 and 2023 entries struggled to seamlessly integrate their narratives with the franchise's core elements: deadites, the Necronomicon, and mechanical sharp objects.

A Respectful Addition to the Franchise Lore

In contrast, Evil Dead Burn successfully honors the franchise's lore, where both the remake and Rise faltered. Florent Bernard, who previously collaborated on Vermines, skillfully weaves a story of familial drama while anchoring it within the Evil Dead universe. The narrative centers around the descendants of a scientist involved in the research of the Book of the Dead, as deadites target a small family to retrieve the Kandarien Dagger, the only weapon capable of banishing demons back to Hell.

Evil Dead Burn smoothly connects to the original trilogy while daring to move away from the overused trope of accidentally reading cursed invocations, which has become tiresome over the years. Nevertheless, despite the film's efforts, the final girl inevitably recites the cursed words, prompting a raised eyebrow. Still, this minor inconsistency does not overshadow the film's exploration of domestic violence, a theme that, while lacking subtlety, is noteworthy, especially when compared to Ash's characterization as a classic hero, a muscular figure aiming to rescue his girlfriend.

A Lackluster Pastiche of the Original

Despite its merits, the writing is not without flaws, as some instances of dark humor struggle to resonate. This caustic humor, reminiscent of Sam Raimi's films, is effectively adapted by Bernard and Vaniček. The direction showcases Vaniček's talent, featuring a remarkable long take midway through the film and a spectacular stunt in a moving room, a nod to Evil Dead 2. However, much of the film suffers from a blurry background, which, while likely an artistic choice, detracts from the clarity of the visuals.

Additionally, the desaturated cinematography is reminiscent of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre by Marcus Nispel, but it fails to impress. Although it transitions to a beautiful color palette at the film's conclusion, the majority of the runtime presents a dull and flat visual experience. This is disappointing, especially considering the visual strengths of Vermines. While the gore effects provide ample thrills, the digital design of certain antagonists falls short of the charm found in practical effects like latex and stop motion, which defined the earlier films.

This is unfortunate, as the practical effects in this Evil Dead installment were more skillfully executed. The pyrotechnic effects are notably impressive. However, while the intent to refresh the franchise and offer a distinct spectacle with each film is understandable, the coherence of the first three Evil Dead films was rooted in their slapstick nature and DIY craftsmanship, elements that are challenging to replicate in today's cinematic landscape. Perhaps it is time to acknowledge that such magic cannot be endlessly recreated without losing its luster... Nonetheless, the platform provided to the creators of Evil Dead Burn is commendable.