‘Evil Dead Burn’ Director Sébastien Vaniček Shares How Sound and Narrative Make Horror

In a talk with Director Sébastien Vaniček on his newest movie Evil Dead Burn, he goes over the brutality and complexity that comes with the film. 

Going into the technical skill when it came to sound design throughout the movie, Vaniček emphasizes its importance in creating the atmosphere that helps audiences feel trapped as through they were in the scene themselves, stating:

“That’s 80% of the work for me. The sound is so important. Image is something, but the sound will make the audience scream, laugh.”

Vaniček goes on to credit and thank his sound design team, who have worked with him for over 15 years now, sharing how lucky he is to work with people who grew with him and understand his passion for sound. He praises the sound teams’ ability to work without his input and still create audio he can admire and adapt to fit his vision, joking that “they know how crazy I am.”

When asked about the importance of narrative building when it came to portraying grief, resentment, and old wounds clashing together before the supernatural horror began, Vaniček says, “that is the way of having universal statements.” He proceeds to state that this film is focusing on relationships and the many forms of love, with the title of the film adding to such sentiment.

“I wanted to present something that feels real, and so people can relate to.”

Pushing the emphasis on universality within this film, Vaniček talks about how the relationships portrayed are meant to be something to relate to for audiences, both the good and the bad, creating a horror movie before the Deadites have made an appearance in the brutality of its reality. He elaborates on how building these relationships within the film offers a good playground to work with, having complex characters with conflicts being “the best way to start an Evil Dead movie.”

Junior Felix praises that focus on relatability within the film as well, stating that although he hadn’t seen any other Evil Dead movies within the franchise, he could still relate to the complexity of the characters and their relationships, as well as the depth being portrayed with their experiences as a family.

For his final question, Vaniček was asked about how he shaped the tones of violence, emotion, and fun that make up horror for the film. He shared how he doesn’t have a definite rule for it, and that his approach comes from instinct, having both the opportunity and the weapons to make a very “visceral and physical horror movie.” Elaborating further, he talks about his ability to push and pull the audience in with comedy and horror, silence and cheers, creating a rollercoaster for the audience to experience while watching his movies.

“I made the movie I would have loved to see as an audience member, and I’m a very basic audience guy… I’m just someone who loves good movies, that’s all.” 

Watch Evil Dead Burn in theaters July 10, 2026.

About “Evil Dead Burn”

EVIL DEAD BURN unleashes the franchise’s most savage and terrifying ride to date, blazing onto big screens with an all-new chapter of carnage and demonic mayhem. After the loss of her husband, a woman seeks solace with her in-laws in their secluded family home. As one by one they are transformed into Deadites—turning the gathering into a family reunion from hell—she comes to discover that the vows she took in life live on… even in death.

EVIL DEAD BURN stars Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Errol Shand and Maude Davey.

The film is directed by Sébastien Vaniček and written by Sébastien Vaniček and Florent Bernard. It is produced by Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi. The executive producers are Bruce Campbell, Romel Adam, Sarah Spurway, Jose Cañas and Lee Cronin

Vaniček is joined behind the camera by director of photography Philip Lozano, production designer Nick Connor, editor Maxime Caro, makeup and effects designer Jane O’Kane and costume designer Sarah Voon. The music is by Double Danger.

New Line Cinema and Screen Gems present a Ghost House Pictures production, EVIL DEAD BURN. It will be distributed domestically by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in theaters in North America on July 10, 2026.

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