Evil Dead Burn (4K UHD Review)
Director
Sébastien VaničekRelease Date(s)
2026 (September 22, 2026)Studio(s)
New Line Cinema/Screen Gems/Ghost House Pictures (Warner Bros. Entertainment)- Film/Program Grade: C
- Video Grade: A
- Audio Grade: A+
- Extras Grade: D+
Review
Hot on the heels of Evil Dead Rise, Sam Raimi’s and Robert Tapert’s Ghost House Pictures produced the 2026 follow-up Evil Dead Burn, which is soon to be followed by Evil Dead Wrath, a prequel to the original film. Needless to say, the Evil Dead franchise has been more than filled out since the 2013 remake, which is arguably still the best of them all. It’s an intriguing franchise in that it has been shepherded by the creators of the original films, expanding upon its mythology while not relying entirely on callbacks and cameo appearances, unlike other intellectual properties. Evil Dead Rise was also more successful at the box office than any of the films thus far, making it all but inevitable that the series would continue. Evil Dead Burn continues the incredibly violent legacy, but perhaps it’s time for the series to take a break.
After the sudden death of her husband Will (George Pullar), Alice (Souheila Yacoub) attends his funeral with his family, including his brother Joseph (Hunter Doohan) and girlfriend Thya (Lucian Buchanan), his mother Susan (Tandi Wright) and father Edgar (Erroll Shand), and his grandmother Polly (Maud Davey). Afterward they visit the family house where Will and Alice were married to mourn, but Alice is feeling like an outsider since Will’s family doesn’t like her and blames her for his death. Joseph has meanwhile been studying his late grandfather’s research, discovering the Necronomicon hidden in the walls of the house. It isn’t long before the deadites come to possess them and torment them all. Also in the cast are Greta Van Den Brink, Lara Macgregor, Shyamal Singh, Michael Hurst, and in a cameo appearance, Alyssa Sutherland.
All of the modern Evil Dead films have something interesting to offer, even if the primary focus is the violence and the gore. However, not all are necessarily focused on the humor, which is where some fans and detractors part ways with these newer films. In the case of Evil Dead Burn, it tries to add in some humor, but comes off as a tonal mess when placed next to the more graphic and emotional elements. Yet the heavier and more dreadful aspects are what give the film more bite, so to speak. It’s not afraid to go places that many modern horror films usually don’t go anymore, even endangering animals and the elderly, if you get my drift. Unfortunately, it’s more style over substance, or at least style over tone. The frequent moving of the camera in unorthodox ways hearkens back to days of Sam Raimi and Co., but it seems more like the point than anything else.
On the other hand, this is one of the grisliest and most brutal of all the Evil Dead films, and the gore itself is far more realistic than you might expect. There are lesser elements in play, such as the old age makeup worn by Maud Davey. The second you notice it, you’re telegraphed that they’re going to do something extraordinary with this character, fully lessening its impact when it occurs. The heavy family drama is also at odds with scenes such as the crematory operator at Will’s funeral listening to music at full volume and dancing while performing his duties. In other words, he’s a non-character, acting nothing like a human being in that situation.
On the positive side, there are some creative visuals, even if they’re too quickly cut together. One involves a possessed and a non-possessed character fighting to the point where they’re about to crash into the camera, but we realize they’re crashing into a mirror instead. It’s very effective, but it doesn’t last long enough to have any real impact. The other highlight is the film’s centerpiece, which is a one-shot in which a whole group of characters are fighting in the background while Alice attempts to crawl away. It’s quite intricate.
All in all, I was left with mixed feelings about Evil Dead Burn. I appreciate the go for the throat approach, but it kept butting heads with the tone and the style, not to mention the lack of any substantial humor. We don’t go to see Evil Dead movies to see families in grief fighting amongst each other, which actors heavily into the rest of the film’s events, as well as its thematic core. Particular attention is paid to Alice and she must take on her late husband’s family one by one before they’re all possessed, and has to do so again when they are. It’s likely to go down easier on a rewatch, but be forewarned that Evil Dead Burn is bleak, far removed from the horror comedies of old.
Cinematographer Philip Lozano captured Evil Dead Burn digitally (at a maximum resolution of 8.6K) using Sony CineAlta Venice 2 cameras, with occasional Rialto Mini censors, and Panavision Ultra Vista lenses. The results were finished as a 4K Digital Intermediate, framed theatrically at the aspect ratio 2.39:1. Warner Home Entertainment debuts the film on Ultra HD straight from its 4K DI source, which has been graded for High Dynamic Range in HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and encoded to a dual-layered BD-66 disc. It’s a solid 4K presentation of a very dark and depressing-looking film. Most of the its palette is made up of blacks and grays, with the obvious splashes of crimson throughout. Compression is never an issue since bitrates are maxed out, allowing the digital cinematography the maximum amount of space to breathe. Depth in and around the family house is given plenty of consideration, with the HDR really soaking up the darkness, allowing for super deep blacks and perfect contrast. There’s a light textural overlay to the image, which is stable and free of any overt issues. Technically, it’s a knockout.
The main audio option is English Dolby Atmos (7.1 TrueHD compatible) with optional subtitles in English SDH. The Atmos works powerfully in enveloping listeners, not just with cacophonous deadite-crazed chaos, but also quiet, subtle moments with creaky floors and environmental ambience. The low end really pushes things off the cliff, with plenty of support for Double Danger’s score, as well as occasional music. Dialogue is paramount, and the squishy, uneasy sound effects stemming from the abundant gore is appropriately nasty in the mix. It’s a top notch surround experience that takes full advantage of its surroundings.
The Warner Bros. Entertainment 4K Ultra HD release of Evil Dead Burn sits in a black Amaray case with a Digital Code on a paper insert within the package, as well as a slipcover. A Limited Edition Steelbook option is also available. The following extras are included in HD:
- Evil Dead: Blazing the Trail (5:35)
- The Hot Shot: Evil Dead Burn’s One-Shot Sequence (5:23)
- This One’s Gonna Burn (4:50)
All three of these featurettes quickly delve into their specific subject matters, barely scratching the surface. Blazing the Trail discusses Sébastien Vaniček’s New French Extremity approach to the project, The Hot Shot highlights the creation of the film’s one-shot sequence, and This One’s Gonna Burn examines the stunts and special effects. Participants include director Sébastien Vaniček; producer Robert Tapert; cinematographer Philip Lozano; production designer Nick Connor; stunt coordinator Clint Elvy; hair, makeup, and effects designer Jane O’Kane; special effects supervisor Brendon Durey; and actors Hunter Doohan, George Pullar, Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, Maude Davey, Erroll Shand, and Lucian Buchanan.
Calling Evil Dead Burn the least of the new Evil Dead films thus far feels a little mean, but the whole is definitely not greater than the sum of its parts. The filmmakers and the actors are more than game for delivering the goods, but it just doesn’t have the sticking power of the previous films, try as it might. Nevertheless, the UHD presentation is solid and satisfying, though a healthier supplemental package is needed.
- Tim Salmons
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