Movie Reviews 2026: Evil Dead Burn, Moana, Exit 8

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Movie Reviews 2026 – your deliciously demonic guide to film.

This week, as the summer blockbuster season continues, two big titles go head-to-head at the cinema. And they couldn’t be more different!

The first blockbuster is the supernatural horror, Evil Dead Burn. The movie arrives hot on the heels of 2023’s very successful, Evil Dead Rise and is hoping to make a similar impact.

The second summer blockbuster is Disney’s live-action remake of Moana. Disney has had many box office hits with its live-action remakes, but will this latest one score big? We shall find out shortly.

And if you simply don’t have the time to go to the cinema this week, because you’re far too caught up in the World Cup, how about some home entertainment with Japanese mystery horror, Exit 8? It might provide a distraction if the tournament is getting too stressful. 

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On disc…

Exit 8 (2026)

OK, first up this week let’s head over to physical media for the disc release of Japanese mystery horror, Exit 8. Directed and co-written by Genki Kawamura, the movie follows the story of a ‘lost man’ who finds himself unable to escape from a subway station.

In the movie, the man is on his way to work via the train, when he takes a call from his ex-girlfriend. She is in the hospital and has just discovered she is pregnant.

Distracted by the news, the man isn’t paying a great deal of attention as he hops off the train and heads toward the station exit. However, as he proceeds down the corridors he finds himself unable to find the way out. 

One corridor leads to another, and then another, until it appears as if the man is stuck in an endless loop. Every corner he turns seems to lead toward Exit 8, but despite his best efforts he can’t find a way out.

Based on a 2023 indie game, Exit 8 is a simple, yet effective little horror. It takes the relatable fear of getting lost, wraps it around a dream-like narrative, and injects occasional creepy sounds and visuals to keep the audience nervous and unsettled. 

Similar to the recent horror, Backrooms, Exit 8 utilises a fixed location to heighten tension and create suspense. It also transforms the premise into an oppressive, claustrophobic nightmare, which only gets worse as the story progresses.

Will the lost man ever escape this underground labyrinth of lunacy? It’s unclear, but watching him try to get out certainly melts the mind and stimulates the senses.

What’s perhaps most striking about Exit 8 is just how well it blurs the lines between a video game and a movie. Kawamura manages to get the balance just right, to the point where it feels like you are playing the game, even if you have no control over the outcome of the story.

Too many video game adaptations struggle to get the right mix. This one nails it, while still delivering an unsettling horror.

If you wish to take a look for yourself, Exit 8 is now available on Blu-ray. The release includes a behind the scenes featurette, trailers, a couple of red carpet features, art cards, and a double-sided poster.

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In cinemas…

Evil Dead Burn (2026)

Over to the cinema now for the supernatural horror, Evil Dead Burn. Directed and co-written by Sébastien Vaniček, and starring Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, and Hunter Doohan, the movie is the latest entry in the Evil Dead movie series and focuses on a family gathering which goes to hell.

In the movie, following the funeral of her husband, Will, recently widowed Alice joins Will’s nearest and dearest at a secluded house for a makeshift wake. It’s a tense situation, with emotions running high, and there’s an unspoken atmosphere permeating the air.

But things get worse when a demonic force enters the house and begins to make mincemeat of the family. The demonic force is looking for a weapon which could spell disaster for the evil beings, and Alice may be the only person who can stand in its way. 

The Evil Dead series has been in existence since 1981, with notable periods of activity and inactivity over the past 45 years. At present, we are in one of the more active periods, so if you’re an Evil Deadfan, this is a good time to be alive.

In 2023 we got Evil Dead Rise, in 2028 we will get Evil Dead Wrath, and here in 2026 we have Evil Dead Burn. Three films in a five year window isn’t bad going at all.

Now of course, this is a lot of Evil Dead. But it’s not a problem if each entry is a.) entertaining and b.) filled with blood and gore.

The blood and gore is particularly important, as it has become a signature element of the series. If the screen isn’t turning red at some point during the run time, then audiences are likely to feel short-changed.

Well, the good news is the screen does turn a sickening shade of crimson; there is plenty of gore; and there are one or two moments where stomachs will be churned. When it comes to being gruesome, Evil Dead Burn follows suit with its predecessors by delivering some rather grim visuals and this should please some audiences.

The bad news is the film isn’t quite as entertaining as it wants to be. There are attempts to push the mythology, and there is some interesting stuff in the film about domestic violence, but it’s a mixed bag in the story department which never lands quite as well as it should.

The biggest sticking point is that Evil Dead Burn seems to get off on the wrong foot and it never quite manages to correct itself. The opening scene involving a brutal fishing trip falls somewhat short, while the introduction to the lead characters is really quite irritating.

An argument takes place between Alice and Will and it’s both uncomfortable to watch and quite off-putting. This scene then leads to Will’s death, the subsequent introduction of his family members, and the funeral.

During all of these scenes, none of the characters are particularly likeable. Not Will, not Alice, and not any other person on screen.

As such, when it becomes clear the majority of these players are going to become demon fodder later on, no f**ks are given. There’s no connection, no sympathy, no compassion whatsoever, and for all intents and purposes anyone can be picked off, chopped up, or put through some hellish situation and it doesn’t really matter.

And because it’s difficult to care about the life or death of the characters, it becomes difficult to care about the story. Which at this point goes down the standard Evil Dead route of showing a group of people being attacked, bloodied, and/or maimed.

Things do pick up here and there, and the final showdown which veers into Terminator territory is fun to watch, but you never feel deeply connected to the material. With Evil Dead Burn it often seems like a film that is going through the motions and this is a big shame.

On a more positive front, the effects are solid; some of the cinematography is beautiful; and the cast do everything asked of them. All of the characters are put through the wringer and back again, and for horror hounds there is some fun to be hand watching people loosing fingers or having their false teeth sucked on and drooled over.

It’s horrid stuff but it’s an Evil Dead movie. You buy a ticket purely for this kind of thing, and Sébastien Vaniček does deliver.

There’s also the sense that maybe this film is attempting to point the series in a more connective direction moving forward. Perhaps future instalments may become less stand-alone than this one and its two predecessors, with a focus on expanding the mythology more next time around.

Only time will tell, but for now, there are aspects that work and there are aspects that don’t. How this will ultimately sit with long-term fans is anyone’s guess.

Evil Dead Burn isn’t awful, but it’s not the runaway hit that 2023’s Evil Dead Rise was either. It’s an uneven offering, which works as a grim horror, but does fall short when compared to what has come before.

It also doesn’t help that a better Evil Dead movie was released this year in the shape of Lee Cronin’s The Mummy. OK, so that one wasn’t actually an Evil Dead movie but it sure as heck felt like it, and was the stronger offering when all is said and done.

Either way, if you wish to take a look, Evil Dead Burn is now playing in UK and US cinemas. Lower your expectations a touch and you may find it fine for what it is.

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In cinemas… 

Moana (2026)

And finally, sticking with the cinema for the release of the live-action remake of Disney’s Moana. Directed by Thomas Kail, and starring Catherine Laga’aia, Dwayne Johnson, and Jermaine Clement, the movie follows the story of the titular Moana as she embarks on an epic journey to help her community.

Along the way, Moana meets a shapeshifting demigod named Maui, and crosses paths with a treasure-hoarding crab called Tamatoa. She also belts out a collection of toe tapping songs, and has lots of high-sea adventure.

OK, so you know the drill by now. Disney has a collection of animated movies which are regarded as some of the best and/or

most popular pieces of animation of all time and the studio is hell bent on turning every last one of ‘em into live-action. The Mouse House is doing this because the vast majority of these remakes have made pots of money, and if there’s one thing Disney loves it’s pots of money.

Presently, 2016’s Moana is the film which has undergone the remake treatment. Moana was a huge hit when it was released ten years ago, kids love it and buy lots of Moana merchandise, and so it comes as no real surprise that it is being remade so quickly.

Does it need to be remade? Nope. But then very few of the Walt Disney Classics need remaking.

This is a money-making exercise and not one which exists in any way, shape, or form for creative reasons. And it’s important to note this because this live-action version of Moana is for all intents and purposes creatively bankrupt.

The story is largely the same, the songs are largely the same, and even some of the actors are the same. Which ultimately poses the question: What’s the point? 

An excellent animated film already exists, it is one of the best Disney Animated Classics of the past decade, and it can be watched on an endless loop on Disney+, so why bother rehashing it? At best you will make something on the same level as the original, which is a pointless pursuit, and at worst you’ll make an inferior version.

And speaking of an inferior version leads onto the decision to have Dwayne Johnson reprise the role of Maui. Oh, dear.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of Johnson and his work, and will find entertainment in many of his roles, but jeez this is a mistake. If you do something perfect the first time around just leave it alone – you are only going to make it less than perfect the second time around.

Yes, this same argument could be placed on sequels, where actors reprise the same role for new stories, but at least they are exploring different facets of the character. Here we simply get Johnson going through the motions, only this time it’s like watching a broken photocopier in action, pumping out an inferior copy.

Now, all of that said, this is where I throw a slight curveball in this review and tell you Moana isn’t completely devoid of any value. In fact, the film does have some things going for it.

First and foremost, Catherine Laga’aia is excellent as Moana. Laga’aia brings strength and maturity to the role, is more than capable of holding her own alongside Johnson, doesn’t get lost amongst all the CGI effects, and has a delightful singing voice.

The moment the actress starts belting out ‘How Far I’ll Go’ it’s pure heaven. She nails every note, fills the song with hope and determination, and is completely and utterly captivating.

Even if the movie has its problems, Laga’aia isn’t one of them. And this also extends to the majority of the cast, including Rena Owen who plays Moana’s Gramma Tala, who becomes the guiding light and voice of the story.

Aside from these performances, there’s also some decent visuals and a spirited sense of adventure throughout the movie. It may be boring and somewhat geeky to note, but the sheer mechanics are all here, so at the very least Moana is perfectly serviceable for those who are interested.

This film certainly can’t be written off because of shoddy effects, or because no one is trying. Efforts are being made, and this does matter.

But is it enough? For me, no. Your opinion may differ.

Last year saw the release of Disney’s remake of Snow White, which received a generally poor reception from critics and audiences alike. I bucked the trend by giving the movie a positive review.

My central argument was that out of all of Disney’s animated films, Snow White was one of the few pictures that actually did benefit from a remake. The original film came out in 1937, it was a bit dated, and parts of it did need an update.

But I can’t argue this with Moana. It doesn’t matter if it is watchable, or if it contains some elements of merit, the original does not require a remake, this is a lesser version, and it’s something which is difficult to get past.

However, Moana is not an abomination as some may have you believe, and if kids want to see it, and it gets them into cinemas, I can’t really argue against this. I want cinemas to thrive, they are struggling a bit at the moment, and if pictures like this get bums on seats then so be it.

The audiences that want to go and see this can, and the audiences that have no interest can avoid it and stick to the original. This live-action version of Moana doesn’t need to exist, but neither do all the pointless updates to my phone, and yet we live in a world where they do so we roll with the punches.

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Recent Releases

Not quite done yet? Want more movies? The above suggestions aren’t enough?! Well, here’s what’s also doing the rounds:

Minions & Monsters (2026)

“If you’re already a fan of the Minions movies then seeing Minions & Monsters is a no-brainer. Likewise, if you have youngsters that need entertaining this summer, this film is likely to be a winner.”

Enola Holmes 3 (2026)

“While there’s no denying Enola Holmes 3 is less effective than its two predecessors, and I’m sure some audiences will be less than happy Enola’s big pay off is to simply get married, there’s still plenty to like about this third outing. The move to Malta brings a dash of summer sparkle to the story, the cast continue to give it their all, and the Enola/Tewkesbury relationship reaches a satisfying conclusion.”

Jackass: Best and Last (2026)

“If this isn’t your sort of thing give it a wide birth, but if you are a fan, grab some tissues to mop up the tears of sadness and the tears of laughter.”

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Movie of the Week

Onto Movie of the Week, which this week is being awarded to Exit 8. If you’re a fan of quirky, atmospheric horror, built around a simple concept, this one is for you.

And if you like Exit 8 you may also like: 

• Cube (1997) – Vincenzo Natali directs this inventive sci-fi horror about a group of strangers who find themselves trapped inside in a series of cube-shaped rooms.
• Triangle (2009) – Christopher Smith’s mind-bending psychological horror set on an ocean liner.
• Vivarium (2019) – Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots star in this creepy horror thriller from Lorcan Finnegan, which focuses on a couple who are trapped in a strange neighbourhood and forced to care for a mysterious creature.

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Forthcoming attractions 

And that’s your lot for another week, but as we slide into the second half of July brace yourself for a double dose of Tom Holland. The actor is set to appear in two back-to-back blockbusters this month, starting with The Odyssey and continuing with Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

If you’re a Tom Holland super-fan, consider this your warning to clear your schedule. Although, if you’re a Tom Holland super-fan your schedule is already clear and you’re probably sat in the cinema waiting for the films to start.

Alex 

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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this edition of Movie Reviews 2026. For more posts be sure to check out the recommended reads below.