Premiere - Evil Dead burn : Sébastien Vaniček Brings the Cult Horror Franchise Back to Paris with a Blood-Soaked Family Nightmare

By Mulder, Paris, cinéma Le Grand Rex, 03 july 2026

The Grand Rex welcomed one of the summer's most anticipated horror events as Evil Dead Burn celebrated its Paris premiere in the presence of director Sébastien Vaniček, co-writer Florent Bernard, and cast members Souheila Yacoub, Luciane Buchanan, and Hunter Doohan. Our media attended the event, which brought together fans of the iconic franchise for a special screening lasting just under two hours. The atmosphere inside the historic Parisian cinema reflected the enthusiasm surrounding the latest chapter of one of horror cinema's most enduring sagas, with audiences eager to discover how the French filmmaker would reinterpret the mythology created more than four decades ago by Sam Raimi.

For Sébastien Vaniček, Evil Dead Burn represents a remarkable milestone. After earning international recognition with his acclaimed feature debut Infested (2023), the French filmmaker caught the attention of Sam Raimi, who personally selected him to helm a new installment of the franchise through Ghost House Pictures. Rather than producing a direct continuation centered on familiar protagonists, Evil Dead Burn stands as a standalone sequel following both Evil Dead (2013) and Evil Dead Rise (2023), while remaining firmly rooted in the mythology of the cursed Necronomicon and the relentless Deadites that have terrified audiences since 1981. Sébastien Vaniček co-wrote the screenplay with Florent Bernard, crafting a story that embraces the franchise's signature blend of relentless horror, emotional trauma and shocking practical effects.

The film introduces audiences to Alice, portrayed by Souheila Yacoub, who travels to her late husband's isolated family home following his funeral to honor his memory during what should have been a final family gathering. Instead, grief quickly mutates into absolute terror as family members begin transforming one after another into grotesque demonic creatures. What initially appears to be a story about mourning evolves into a nightmarish confrontation with supernatural evil, forcing Alice to realize that the vows she exchanged with her husband continue to bind her in ways she never imagined—far beyond death itself. The premise cleverly combines intimate family drama with the brutal, merciless horror that has become synonymous with the Evil Dead name.

Alongside Souheila Yacoub, the ensemble features Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Tandi Wright, Erroll Shand, and Maude Davey, forming a cast largely composed of fresh faces for the franchise. Principal photography took place entirely in New Zealand between July and October 2025, with cinematographer Philip Lozano capturing the isolated landscapes that reinforce the film's oppressive atmosphere. Editing duties were handled by Maxime Caro, while the score was composed by Double Danger, contributing to a production designed to maintain the franchise's visceral identity while allowing Sébastien Vaniček to bring his own distinctive visual style and pacing.

The Evil Dead franchise remains one of modern horror's most influential properties. Created by Sam Raimi, produced alongside Rob Tapert, and immortalized by Bruce Campbell as the unforgettable Ash Williams, the original trilogy (The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), and Army of Darkness (1992)) evolved from an ultra-low-budget independent production into genuine cult classics. Their inventive camerawork, frenetic energy, outrageous practical effects and unique balance between supernatural horror and slapstick comedy transformed the series into a benchmark for generations of filmmakers. The universe later expanded through comic books, video games, the television series Ash vs Evil Dead, and a successful cinematic revival beginning with Fede Álvarez's Evil Dead in 2013 before continuing with Lee Cronin's Evil Dead Rise in 2023.

The origins of the franchise have become almost legendary within independent cinema. In the late 1970s, Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, and Bruce Campbell, then aspiring filmmakers with limited resources, produced the short film Within the Woods as a proof of concept to convince investors they could deliver a feature-length horror film. Their determination eventually led to The Evil Dead, a production that transformed severe financial limitations into creative strengths through innovative camera techniques and relentless pacing. That independent spirit remains deeply embedded within the franchise's identity and continues to influence every subsequent installment, including Evil Dead Burn.

Production on the new film also reflects the increasingly ambitious scale of the franchise. Produced by Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi, with Bruce Campbell and Lee Cronin serving as executive producers, Evil Dead Burn was co-financed by New Line Cinema and Screen Gems, while Warner Bros. Pictures handles domestic distribution in the United States. International distribution varies by territory, with Metropolitan Filmexport releasing the film in France, where audiences will see it on July 8, 2026, two days ahead of its North American release on July 10. The film runs for 109 minutes.

Far from slowing down, the Evil Dead universe is already preparing its next chapter. Another theatrical installment, Evil Dead Wrath, written and directed by Francis Galluppi, is currently scheduled for release on April 7, 2028. At the same time, Bruce Campbell has repeatedly confirmed that an animated project centered around Ash remains in development, while Sam Raimi and his collaborators continue to map out the long-term future of the franchise. Their objective is clear: instead of waiting a decade between films, new Evil Dead stories are expected to arrive every few years, ensuring that one of horror cinema's most enduring mythologies continues to evolve for new generations.

Judging from the enthusiastic reception at the Paris premiere, Evil Dead Burn appears poised to become another memorable chapter in that legacy. By combining the unmistakable DNA established by Sam Raimi with the raw intensity and modern sensibilities of Sébastien Vaniček, the film embraces everything fans expect from an Evil Dead production gruesome practical horror, escalating tension, and an uncompromising descent into supernatural madness—while introducing a fresh emotional core built around grief, family and promises that refuse to die.

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Synopsis :
After her husband’s funeral, Alice goes to her in-laws’ secluded home to share a final meal in his memory. But the family gathering turns into a nightmare when her loved ones, one by one, transform into demonic creatures. Faced with this hellish ordeal, Alice discovers that the vows she once made continue to bind her to her husband… far beyond death.

Evil Dead Burn
Directed by Sébastien Vaniček
Written by Sébastien Vaniček, Florent Bernard
Based on The Evil Dead by Sam Raimi
Produced by Rob Tapert, Sam Raimi
Starring  Souheila Yacoub, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Tandi Wright, Erroll Shand, Maude Davey
Cinematography : Philip Lozano
Edited by Maxime Caro
Music by Double Danger
Production companies : New Line Cinema, Screen Gems, Ghost House Pictures
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures (United States, Metropolitan Filmexport (France)
Release date     
July 10, 2026 (United States)
Running time : 109 minutes

Photos and video 4K : Copyright Boris Colletier / Mulderville