In an interview with Men’s Journal, the actor and longtime franchise figure shared his frustration with the lack of humor in the latest installments and explained what he would like to see return.
Bruce Campbell Wants the Humor Back in ‘Evil Dead’
Campbell did not argue against making the franchise frightening. His issue is with the increasingly serious tone that has accompanied the newer entries. “I’d like more humor back in. The three features have been mostly humorless, and I personally have a problem with that,” the star said.
That criticism applies to the three most recent theatrical entries, beginning with Fede Álvarez’s “Evil Dead” in 2013, followed by Lee Cronin’s “Evil Dead Rise” in 2023 and Sébastien Vaniček’s “Evil Dead Burn” in 2026. While each film has maintained the franchise’s brutal supernatural horror, the performer sees room for a different balance.
His comments also point toward something more specific than simply adding jokes. He wants the audience to have a central character whose survival becomes part of the experience, much like Ash Williams, the character he played throughout the original series. “And one hero that you really can root for. Ash is an id**t, but you want him to survive,” he said.
The recent films have instead centered on new characters and family dynamics, including the estranged sisters at the heart of “Evil Dead Rise” and the family gathering that turns into a nightmare in “Evil Dead Burn.” Campbell’s preference suggests that the franchise could benefit from bringing back the kind of charismatic, flawed protagonist who gives viewers someone to follow through the chaos.
His criticism extends beyond the scripts and characters. The star also took aim at the visual language that has become common in contemporary horror, particularly the muted gray and green color palettes frequently used to create a bleak atmosphere. “Modern filmmakers love to color their movies like a David Fincher movie, like a hospital room, you know?” he said.
For Campbell, horror does not necessarily need to look unpleasant in order to be effective. He argued that directors could create a striking contrast by making a production visually beautiful before unleashing its nastier elements. “I think even a horror movie can look pretty. Why not throw them off? Make it all look pretty and wonderful, and then let them have it.”