Five horror picks for fans of Evil Dead Burn

The visceral exhaustion delivered by the Evil Dead franchise is a hallmark of its 90-minute runtime. Viewers accustomed to this specific brand of high-octane terror often find themselves seeking similar experiences after watching "Evil Dead Burn." Directed by French filmmaker Sébastien Vaniček, this entry follows Alice Price (Souheila Yacoub) as she navigates a funeral for her abusive husband, William (George Pullar), amidst hostile family members. The situation deteriorates rapidly when Deadites possess William’s corpse and his parents, forcing Alice to survive a gauntlet of fire, blood, and dismemberment.

Vaniček’s earlier creature feature

Before tackling the iconic franchise, Vaniček established his reputation with the 2023 film "Infested." This movie centers on Kaleb (Théo Christine), who accidentally introduces a venomous spider into his apartment complex. The arachnid begins reproducing aggressively, turning the building into a deadly trap for Kaleb and his neighbors. Co-written by Vaniček and Florent Bernard—who also co-wrote "Burn"—the film utilizes confined spaces to generate creative deaths. While it serves as a precursor to his later work, "Infested" stands on its own as an unhinged creature feature, described as "Eight Legged Freaks" amplified by intense stimuli.

Summer 2026 psychological thriller

The horror genre has expanded well beyond late August releases, with titles like "Hokum" debuting during the summer 2026 window between early May and Labor Day. Starring Adam Scott as Ohm Bauman, a notoriously difficult author, the film sees him traveling to Ireland to scatter his parents' ashes. Bauman becomes entangled in a conspiracy involving a restricted wing of his inn. Like "Evil Dead Burn," "Hokum" leverages tension from burning buildings and traumatic pasts. It distinguishes itself through dark playfulness regarding reality, featuring jump scares centered on a figure in an eerie rabbit mask.

New Line Cinema’s legacy sequel

New Line Cinema, absorbed into Warner Bros. in 2008, has long been a powerhouse for horror franchises including "The Conjuring" universe and "It." In North America, the studio distributed "Evil Dead Burn," continuing its tradition of supporting major horror sagas. Another key property is "Final Destination," which received a mid-2020s follow-up titled "Final Destination Bloodlines." This installment explores the consequences of an ancestor cheating death decades prior. Despite the challenge of refreshing long-running brands, "Bloodlines" maintains grim wit and gory zest. Its prologue, set at significant height, showcases exceptional sound design and tension, proving the franchise remains creatively potent.

Raimi’s return to R-rated chaos

Sam Raimi, director of the original three Evil Dead films, continues to influence the franchise’s tone even without recent involvement. His latest project, "Send Help," offers a return to R-rated cinema that aligns with the maximalist horror style seen in "Burn." The plot follows office worker Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) stranded on an abandoned island with her boss, Bradley Preston (Dylan O'Brien). The dynamic shifts dramatically: while Preston previously held power over Liddle in the office, she now possesses survival skills. McAdams delivers a committed performance amid the chaos, while Raimi executes suspenseful sequences with rare precision, capturing the essence of his signature sicko cinema.

Indie horror with vigilante themes

Aimee Kuge’s directorial debut, "Cannibal Mukbang," appeals to those seeking violent, women-led narratives about overcoming abuse. The story introduces Mark (Nate Wise) to Ash (April Consalo), a mukbang performer who hunts and consumes sexual predators. Motivated by childhood trauma shared with her sister, Ash engages in vigilantism. Consalo portrays Ash with versatility, shifting between rom-com archetypes and unpredictable darkness. The film balances outlandish visuals with a tricky tonal mix, exemplifying gross-out indie horror reminiscent of "The Evil Dead’s" origins.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, resources are available through the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or their National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).