Photo via IMDb
By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
At this point, “Evil Dead” fans are getting spoiled, because there has not been the typical dropoff in quality like most horror franchises experience. “Evil Dead Burn” is the sixth film in this series, and it upholds its tenets of brutal violence and extreme gore. The story is thoughtfully crafted, expanding upon the lore and creating a compelling reason to continue watching these movies.
When her abusive husband suddenly perishes, Alice Price (Souheila Yacoub) travels to the old in-law’s home in the middle of nowhere to grieve with his eccentric family. She’s joined by the deceased’s cowardly brother Joseph, spunky sister-in-law Thya (Luciane Buchanan), enabling mother Susan (Tandi Wright), angry father Edgar (Erroll Shand), and the dementia-suffering grandmother Polly (Maude Davey). When an ancient evil is unleashed upon the family, they begin to transform into deadites one by one, leaving little hope for survival.
The original “Evil Dead” trilogy was created by the brilliant Sam Raimi, which started in 1981, and have since become cult classics. After being resurrected in 2013, three different directors have taken the helm for each of the three movies, but the original spirit of chaotic violence and visceral gore have been well-captured. Sébastien Vanicek is the newest director to oversee the demonic maelstrom of bloodletting, and he was handpicked by Sam Raimi to keep the franchise heading in the right direction. As in previous iterations, he depicts mutilations, traumatic amputations, and other horrific wounds using mostly practical effects to enhance that gruesome aesthetic. In this way, Vanicek meets viewers’ expectations, but he also makes this production stand out as one of the more shockingly violent films of the franchise, creatively turning just about any and every object into a lethal weapon. From a fountain pen to a detached car headrest, Vanicek amps up the chaos during fight sequences with eye-popping detail.
With consistently muted colors and the bleak background of the deteriorating house, Vanicek continually conveys a sense of dread that drips in every corner of every shot almost as a tangible element. Regarding cinematography, he uses tight shots to contribute a claustrophobic feeling to the dread, fully capturing a sense of hopelessness to the situation. During the close-ups of various objects, he amplifies the sound of that object that further puts the audience on edge. The crowning-jewel scene occurs during the memorable living room fight, where he uses a complex, continuous tracking shot that captures the chaos and brutality of violence.
For as good as the visuals, sound, and score are, the character development is lacking, which lessens the impact of these wild fight sequences. Without the added depth, the characters feel somewhat flat, diminishing audience connectivity. In fact, with the exception of the main protagonist, the surface value traits and flaws they are given make them all pretty unlikable. The other noticeably missing ingredient to this sequel is the comedic element, which has been a consistent mainstay throughout the franchise. Save for a couple of over-the-top moments and cutting remarks, there is very little levity to lighten the mood.
“Evil Dead Rise” in 2023 benefited from a standout performance by Alyssa Sutherland who perfectly embodied the psychotic humor of the previous films. While this film does not feature that level of acting, it does not disappoint either. Swiss actress Souheila Yacoub proves to be a stabilizing force viewers can rally behind as the smart, likable protagonist fighting tooth and nail for her survival. Hunter Doohan is one of the few recognizable faces in this movie, having previous breakout performances in TV series such as “Your Honor” and “Wednesday.” The reticence and hesitation he gives his character in physical confrontations feels all too real as he conveys pure fear on his face, completing his spineless character. Possibly the most notable is Erroll Shand, who provides such malevolence in his glares, it puts the audience in an immediate state of discomfort. The threat of violence he quietly demonstrates during the family dinner scene fills the moment with undeniable tension.
Not for the squeamish, this blood-soaked splatter horror will satisfy fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. “Evil Dead Burn” is one of the more sadistic and violent films of the series that is sure to sear its ghastly identity on your brain. If you do choose to witness this macabre event, stay for the mid-credit and post-credit scenes as they both offer tantalizing value.
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