'Evil Dead Burn' Stars Unveil Shocking Hidden Character Backstories

A new chapter in the iconic "The Evil Dead" franchise, "Evil Dead Burn," is set to terrify audiences with what is being hailed as its most gruesome installment yet. Co-written and directed by Sébastien Vaniček, known for "Infested," the film promises to continue the mythology with a fresh, horrifying narrative. Collider’s Perri Nemiroff recently sat down with the stars of the movie, Luciane Buchanan, Hunter Doohan, and Souheila Yacoub, to discuss the intriguing behind-the-scenes details that won't make it into the final cut.

"Evil Dead Burn" serves as a follow-up to the executive producer Lee Cronin's "Evil Dead Rise." The story centers on Alice (Souheila Yacoub), who is grappling with the recent loss of her husband, George Pullar. She finds herself living with her in-laws, including her husband's younger brother Joseph (Hunter Doohan) and his girlfriend Thya (Luciane Buchanan). What begins as a period of mourning quickly escalates into a hellish reunion when Alice uncovers a dark secret about the family she has married into, revealing the grim consequences of her vows.

During their conversation, the cast revealed fascinating insights into their characters' extensive backstories and the unique creative process with Vaniček. Luciane Buchanan mentioned that the director provided each actor with a two-page backstory PDF for their characters. Hunter Doohan added that the audition materials were quite unconventional, including YouTube links to videos of bugs—specifically, a twitching beetle whose body continues to move after death—to inspire their portrayal of the Deadites.

Among the specific backstory elements discussed, Buchanan shared the origin of Joseph and Thya's relationship. Originally, Thya was conceived as Polly's nurse, but the characters evolved into partners. They met when Joseph fainted while donating blood, and Thya, feeling sympathetic, tended to him—a detail Doohan humorously noted as "so Joseph." Souheila Yacoub, in contrast to receiving a PDF, elaborated on her collaborative character development for Alice. She worked extensively with Vaniček and co-writer Florent Bernard in Paris, discussing everything from Alice's hair color to her attire, aiming to present a fresh, physically distinct portrayal of a Parisian woman, moving beyond typical cinematic stereotypes.

The cast also took the opportunity to commend their co-stars for their remarkable performances. Souheila Yacoub was particularly impressed by George Pullar's portrayal of her husband in the club scene, describing his delivery as "insane" and starkly different from his real-life kind demeanor. Hunter Doohan highlighted Tandi Wright, who plays Susan (his character's mother), praising her emotional depth, especially in a poignant moment where Polly finally speaks Susan's name. Doohan noted how Wright's commitment to her role elevated the performances of the entire cast. Luciane Buchanan praised Erroll Shand, describing him as "terrifying" and crediting him with setting the intense tone during the initial dinner table scene. She also lauded Maude Davey, who plays Polly, for her transformative performance.

"Evil Dead Burn" is scheduled to hit theaters on July 10, promising a gruesome and deeply character-driven addition to the beloved horror saga.