“Klaatu barada….” If completing this iconic line leaves you stumped, you’re either on par with Ash Williams (played by Bruce Campbell) or it’s time for an “Evil Dead” crash course. The franchise, launched by Sam Raimi in the early 1980s, is gearing up for its latest installment, “Evil Dead Burn,” set to premiere in theaters on July 10. Curious about what lies ahead? Be sure to check out the video linked above.
The “Evil Dead” adventure begins with a seemingly innocuous getaway: a group of friends discover an ancient, flesh-covered book while vacationing at a remote woodland cabin. This fateful find unleashes a demonic entity that systematically possesses them, leaving dismemberment as the sole method of survival. Ash, the lone survivor in the 1981 classic “The Evil Dead,” faces his demonic adversaries once more in the darkly comedic 1987 sequel “Evil Dead II.” The saga continues as Ash is thrust into medieval England in 1993’s “Army of Darkness” and eventually battles evil in modern times in the series “Ash vs Evil Dead,” which aired from 2015 to 2018.
The series received a refreshed take in 2013 with Fede Álvarez’s “Evil Dead.” Deviating from its predecessors, this reboot introduces Mia (portrayed by Jane Levy), an addict whose friends stage an intervention at her family’s rundown cabin, leading to her possession by malevolent forces. Fast forward to 2023, Lee Cronin’s “Evil Dead Rise” sees roadie Beth (Lily Sullivan) reconnecting with her estranged sister Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) and her family. An earthquake unearths a mysterious tome beneath their apartment, an ominous find in the “Evil Dead” series.
Evil Dead Burn is another family affair
Warner Bros.
“Evil Dead Burn” is poised to continue the blend of family drama and survival horror showcased in previous films. This chapter revolves around the unexpected demise of a young man. His widow, Alice (Souheila Yacoub), returns to his familial home to mourn, only to find herself at a secluded lakeside cabin with the bereaved family. The nightmare begins anew with the discovery of the Book of the Dead, leading to family members transforming into Deadites. Can Alice withstand what might be the ultimate nightmare of a family gathering?
There have been some hints that this film will connect to 2013’s “Evil Dead” and “Evil Dead Rise.” The brief glimpses fans get of this world’s version of the Necronomicon in various trailers reflect the illustrations from the book seen in the 2013 film, and there are brief shots in the red band trailer that show off a girl who looks an awful lot like the doomed Jessica (Anna-Maree Thomas) from the ending of “Evil Dead Rise.” She seems to be attacking someone on a lake in a boat. Will Alice be dead by dawn? To find out, go see “Evil Dead Burn” in theaters on July 10, but before you do, be sure to check out our in-depth refresher video above.