The Evil Dead franchise has been on a hot streak since its 2023 revival with Evil Dead Rise, which proved that the series could thrive without Bruce Campbell's Ash Williams. That film, set in a claustrophobic high-rise, earned $147 million worldwide and launched director Lee Cronin into the spotlight. Now, the first of two planned follow-ups, Evil Dead Burn, is hitting theaters this Friday, July 10, and early reviews suggest it's another solid entry—though not without some mixed reactions.
Directed by Sébastien Vaniček, known for the indie horror Infested, Evil Dead Burn centers on Alice (Soheila Yacoub), a grieving widow who reunites with her late husband's family at their remote country home. Tensions are already high because they blame her for his death, but things go from bad to worse when the family members start turning into Deadites. It's a classic Evil Dead setup: family drama meets demonic possession, with plenty of blood and chaos.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78% – Good or Just Okay?
With 51 reviews counted so far, Evil Dead Burn holds a 78% on Rotten Tomatoes. That's slightly below the franchise's highest-rated entries—like the original, Evil Dead II, and Rise—but still in the same ballpark. For context, that's a solid score for a horror film, though not quite the 90%+ that some recent genre hits have achieved. Compare this to other franchise entries that have struggled, and Burn is clearly doing well.
Collider's Aidan Kelley gave the film an 8/10, calling it "another strong entry" that "just keeps hitting." He praised the characters, scares, and comedy, noting that the third act is "nothing short of unforgettable." Screen Rant's Jordan Williams was slightly more measured, giving it a 7/10 and describing the script as "slightly lacking" but with a strong emotional core and plenty of "hell yeah" moments for fans. However, not everyone was impressed. MovieWeb's Julian Roman called it a "gruesome and unforgiving technical exercise in mindless carnage," criticizing a lack of genuine frights despite praising Yacoub's performance.
What Critics Are Saying About the Gore and Story
The consensus seems to be that Evil Dead Burn delivers on the gore and practical effects that fans expect, but the scares may not be as effective as in previous installments. The emotional core—Alice's grief and the family's blame—adds depth, but some critics argue that the script doesn't fully capitalize on it. Still, the film's commitment to Sam Raimi's signature style—mixing horror with dark comedy—has won over many reviewers. As Kelley put it, the film is "groovy."
For those wondering if the 78% score is a sign of quality, it's worth noting that horror films often have a tougher time on Rotten Tomatoes than other genres. A 78% is generally considered "fresh" and indicates that most critics found something to enjoy. If you're a fan of the franchise, the early buzz suggests you'll likely have a good time—especially if you're in it for the blood and the bonkers third act.
What's Next for the Evil Dead Franchise?
Regardless of how Evil Dead Burn performs with audiences, the next film is already locked in for 2028. Titled Evil Dead Wrath, it will be directed by Francis Galluppi, who impressed with the neo-western thriller The Last Stop in Yuma County. The story is set in 1972, before the original film, and producer Rob Tapert has teased it will be "another great departure." The cast includes Charlotte Hope, Jessica McNamee, Zach Gilford, Josh Helman, and Ella Newton.
For now, Evil Dead Burn is a worthy addition to the franchise, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessors. If you're a horror fan, it's worth catching in theaters for the communal experience of screaming and laughing at the same time. And if you're still on the fence, check out how other recent thrillers have fared to see if Burn is your kind of fire.
