Jul 07, 2026 2:38pm IST
Luciane Buchanan: “Evil Dead Burn’ is Our Tribute To Jack Nicholson’s ‘The Shining” (EXCLUSIVE)
The beginning of 2026 had horror movies taking center stage at the box office. Among the most anticipated in July is “Evil Dead Burn,” the latest installment in the iconic horror franchise, “Evil Dead.”
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Variety India spoke to cast member Luciane Buchanan, who shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes and deep dives into their character, the popularity of the “Evil Dead” franchise and more. One of the film’s standout moments sees Buchanan’s character, Thya, convincing Maude Davey’s Polly to open a door before joining other Deadites (parasitic spirits that possess the bodies of the living or the dead) to wreak havoc.
When asked about the eerie turn of events in the scene, Luciane reveals that the cast and the makers wanted to pay tribute to “The Shining” (1980) with the particular scene. Calling it “one of the most difficult” scenes to shoot, Luciane adds, “It was also a nod to Jack Nicholson in “The Shining” (1980). It mimics that. I couldn’t see what everyone else could see. I was constantly reminding people that I was behind the door. But the effects of the eyes were really powerful.”
Luciane also shares that her scene partner, veteran actor Maude Davey, helped her frame the scene. However, she also found Davey funny while they were performing it together. The sequence ultimately became one of Buchanan’s favorite moments in the film.
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Directed by Sébastien Vaniček, “Evil Dead Burn” is about grieving widow Alice’s (Souheila Yacoub) retreat to her in-laws’ secluded winter home after her husband’s death. Her search for solace abruptly ends when the ancient Necronomicon Ex-Mortis is inadvertently awakened, a sinister force possesses her family, transforming them into bloodthirsty Deadites.
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