How the terrifying Evil Dead Burn ending has already set up the next film in the franchise

Evil Dead Burn has finally landed in cinemas, bringing another ridiculously gruesome chapter to the horror franchise. Like pretty much every Evil Dead film before it, don’t expect many characters to make it out alive.

The film centres on a family brought together to grieve Will Price (George Pullar), who was killed in a car crash caused by a possessed character from the previous movie. Their secluded gathering quickly turns into the perfect opportunity for the Deadites to strike.

By the end of the film, Alice has managed to kill most of the possessed family members. Thya is taken down by Joseph before his own possession, while the remaining Deadites are largely dealt with by Alice herself.

Although Alice is the only main survivor, the ending suggests her nightmare may be far from over. In the film’s closing moments, she blinks and her eyes briefly turn red.

The movie never outright explains what this means. It could be a sign she’s beginning to succumb to Deadite corruption, it could hint she’s carrying some lingering infection, or it may simply reflect the horrific injuries she’s suffered throughout the film.

Whatever the explanation, it feels deliberately left open. After discovering a weapon capable of harming Deadites during the film, Alice also seems perfectly positioned to become one of the franchise’s central characters going forward.

If you leave as soon as the credits start rolling, you’ll miss two extra scenes teasing what’s next.

The first follows Polly, who somehow survives the destruction of the family home despite losing one of her legs. As she drags herself away from the burning wreckage, a passing driver stops to help. Polly immediately attacks the unsuspecting motorist, delivering one final darkly comic scare while confirming she’s still out there spreading the Deadite threat.

Combined with Alice’s unsettling final shot, it’s pretty clear Evil Dead Burn isn’t closing the book on this story. If anything, it’s only setting up the next nightmare.