After five films in the franchise, something new has finally happened… and unfortunately, it’s that we’ve ended up with the weakest Evil Dead film yet.
While I’ve never been the biggest fan of the original trilogy, I still think they’re good films that are well worth watching. After Evil Dead (2013) and Evil Dead Rise, my expectations were high, but what we got instead felt like a lower budget version of Evil Dead Rise. It opens in a very similar fashion, but with far less impact, features a surprisingly underwhelming title sequence, and although the gore reaches levels we’ve never seen before, it often feels even sillier than Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness.
Set in a completely new location with a premise unlike anything we’ve seen in the franchise before, I was genuinely interested to see where the story would go. However, the film’s major plot element, separate from the Necronomicon, which has been central to every other entry, felt underdeveloped. I never became invested in what was happening on screen, and I struggled to understand why the filmmakers chose to take the story in this direction.
I can’t deny that there were moments where I found myself squinting and repeatedly wanting to look away from the screen. Some of the sequences are absolutely brutal, with levels of gore that surpass anything the franchise has done before. Unfortunately, shock value alone wasn’t enough to keep me engaged. By the final act, it became obvious where the story was heading, and just when it felt like the film should have ended, it continued with another extended sequence of relentless pain and gore.
Sadly, this was a disappointment from start to finish. It constantly felt like a smaller, less inspired version of Evil Dead Rise, culminating in a finale that dragged on for far too long and two end credits scenes that added to the pain of watching this film. It’s not a film I can ever see myself revisiting.
Review by Eccy
If there’s one horror franchise that continues to deliver, it’s Evil Dead. With Evil Dead Burn, the series has done it again but this time it’s taken things to another level, delivering easily the most violent entry in the franchise.
Sam Raimi’s decision to hand the hand pick Sébastien Vaniček has paid off. I thought Evil Dead Rise was messed up, but that now feels like the little cousin. Burn is relentless. Eye gouging, dismemberment, blunt force trauma this is Terrifier level gore, and the film pulls absolutely no punches. There were multiple moments where I physically reacted to the sheer nastiness on screen.
Beyond the gore, I loved seeing the lore expanded. I’ve seen some fans question the introduction of what appears to be a fourth Book of the Dead, but I don’t actually think that’s another Necronomicon. It felt more like a journal, especially as we see drawings of the Evil Dead (2013) Necronomicon throughout the film. It’s also packed with callbacks, from familiar kills and dialogue to props and clever Easter eggs that reward long time fans.
Despite how brutal the film is, it never forgets that Evil Dead has always had a twisted sense of humour. The grandmother provides exactly the comic relief the film needs, helping balance the absurdity without taking away from the horror. I know some people are saying it’s too violent and misses the campy humour of the ‘80s films, but I actually like the darker direction this franchise has taken. As much as I love the originals, I’m glad the series has evolved.
It’s not perfect. Some of the dialogue is weak, parts of the story are predictable, and I do think the film runs a little too long. But the Deadites are fantastic particularly Thya, who is absolutely terrifying. They’re genuinely mean-spirited in a way that makes every encounter feel dangerous. Add in some impressive tracking shots, strong blocking, excellent sound design, and surprisingly effective themes surrounding trauma and abuse, and you’ve got another worthy addition to one of horror’s most consistent franchises.
It’s gruesome, relentless, and unapologetically savage. As an Evil Dead fan, this absolutely worked for me.
Review by Luke
For fans of the franchise you’ll dislike most of what you’ll see. For anyone who’s entering this gore-fest family dinner that is filled to the brim with blood, stay a while and take in the crazed time Evil Dead can show you.
It is truly a disappointing moment when I left this film, just looking back at how exciting and jaw-dropping Evil Dead was with its entries, it’s a shame it’s become so… tame. I was there watching Ash vs Evil Dead when it was STILL ON AIR, it had me tranced every week. I watched the pilot episode back last night and the difference in just pure quality and entertainment is day and night to this new instalment.
The story has a lot to be desired from, the characters and their subsequent development are poorly handled from all sides of the film’s elements. Ultimately it’s hard to find emotional depth or intrigue into the events that occur.
Evil Dead Burn is not a far throw from the rest of the franchise, and I do personally believe it has earned the title through its showcase of brutality. But this outing into this demonic world, I find myself not revisiting anytime soon.
Review by Epicz