Wishmaster 2- Evil Never Dies » <Pro>
Upon release, the film received mixed to negative reviews. Critics praised Andrew Divoff’s commitment to the role but criticized the script’s logic and the reduced production values.
Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies (1999) is the second installment in the Wishmaster horror franchise, directed by Jack Sholder and written by Peter Atkins. The film continues the saga of the Djinn, a malicious wish-granting spirit whose literal twists on granted desires lead to grotesque and often lethal outcomes.
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Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies is the direct-to-video sequel to the 1997 cult horror film Wishmaster. Directed by Jack Sholder (known for A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 and The Hidden), the film follows the ancient, malevolent djinn (genie) as he is accidentally released from his prison of carved ruby. Continuing the premise of the original, the djinn attempts to gather 1,001 souls to unleash hell on Earth, using his power to grant twisted interpretations of people’s wishes. The sequel shifts the setting from a metropolitan museum to a prison environment, but retains a heavy reliance on practical gore effects, cameos, and the iconic performance of Andrew Divoff as the Djinn.
A gory, tongue-in-cheek sequel that will appeal to practical-effects horror fans and viewers who enjoy malicious wish-twists, but it sacrifices atmosphere and narrative depth for body-horror set pieces and camp.
Andrew Divoff returns as the malevolent Djinn in Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies, a 1999 sequel that leans harder into the dark irony and "be careful what you wish for" horror that made the original a cult favorite. While many direct-to-video sequels of the late 90s fell flat, this installment remains a standout for fans of practical effects and supernatural slashers. The Plot: Be Careful What You Wish For
The story kicks off when a botched museum heist accidentally releases the Djinn from his fire opal prison. After taking the soul of one of the thieves, the Djinn assumes his human form as Nathaniel Demerest and allows himself to be incarcerated.
His goal is tactical: he needs to collect 1,001 souls to trigger the apocalypse and free his fellow Djinn. What better place to harvest "wishes" than a prison full of desperate men willing to trade their souls for freedom, revenge, or a simple cigarette? Wishmaster 2- Evil Never Dies
Meanwhile, Morgana (Holly Fields), the thief who survived the opening heist, begins experiencing psychic visions of the Djinn's carnage. Haunted by guilt, she teams up with a priest to find a way to banish the ancient evil back into the stone. The Performance: Andrew Divoff’s Last Dance
The undisputed highlight of Wishmaster 2 is Andrew Divoff. His portrayal of the Djinn is a masterclass in sinister charisma. Unlike other silent slashers like Michael Myers, the Djinn is loquacious and witty, finding sadistic loopholes in every wish granted.
Divoff’s ability to move between the heavy prosthetics of the Djinn’s true form and the eerie, cold stillness of Nathaniel Demerest provides the film with its backbone. This would unfortunately be Divoff's last time playing the character, and many fans argue the franchise lost its magic when he departed. Creative Carnage and Practical Effects
Director Jack Sholder (who also directed A Nightmare on Elm Street 2) brings a twisted sense of humor to the kill scenes. The film is famous for its literal interpretations of wishes, including:
The Lawyer: When a lawyer wishes his client could "walk," his legs are snapped and he is forced to shuffle like a crab.
The Prison Break: A prisoner wishes to "pass through" the bars of his cell, resulting in a gruesome, bone-crushing transformation.
The Casino Massacre: The film's climax features a high-stakes wish that turns a room of gamblers into a literal bloodbath of slot machine-style gore. Legacy and Reception
While it didn’t have the star-studded horror cameos of the first film (which featured Robert Englund and Kane Hodder), Wishmaster 2 is often praised for being more focused and mean-spirited. It embraces the absurdity of its premise while delivering the high-quality prosthetic work that 90s horror is known for. Upon release, the film received mixed to negative reviews
For fans of the genre, Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies serves as a perfect time capsule of late-90s horror—campy, creative, and undeniably fun.
Title: 💎 Sinister Sequels: Revisiting 'Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies' 💎
If there is one rule in horror, it’s that you can’t keep a good (or bad) Djinn down. Tonight, we’re cracking open the mythic fire opal to talk about the 1999 sequel, Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies.
While the original 1997 film is a beloved cult classic produced by horror legends Wes Craven and Robert Englund, the sequel had big shoes to fill. Taking the franchise straight-to-video, director Jack Sholder shifted the tone slightly, trading the high-society art world for gritty prison corridors and casino heists.
Why it’s worth a revisit:
🔹 Andrew Divoff Returns: The heart of these first two films is Divoff’s portrayal of the Djinn. He is equal parts charming, terrifying, and theatrical. His twisted interpretation of the "Monkey's Paw" trope—where wishes are granted in the most literal, gruesome ways possible—is still the highlight of the franchise.
🔹 The Poker Scene: Without spoiling too much, the casino sequence provides some of the most creative and darkly comedic deaths in the series. It proves that you should never make a bet with an ancient evil.
🔹 The Prison Setting: Moving the action to a penitentiary creates a unique claustrophobia. Watching the Djinn manipulate hardened criminals offers a different kind of tension than the first film's gallery setting. Weaknesses:
The Verdict: It may not have the same star-studded cameos as the original, but Evil Never Dies leans fully into the camp and gore that late-90s horror fans crave. It’s a fun, bloody ride that asks the important question: What would you wish for if you knew it would kill you?
🔥 Rating: 3/5 Fire Opals
Did you prefer the first Wishmaster or the sequel? Let us know in the comments! 👇
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Released on March 12, 1999, Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies is a direct-to-video supernatural horror sequel directed by Jack Sholder. It features the return of Andrew Divoff as the Djinn, who must collect 1,001 souls before granting three final wishes to the one who woke him to unleash his race upon the Earth. 🎬 Production & Release
FILM ANALYSIS REPORT
TITLE: Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies RELEASE YEAR: 1999 GENRE: Supernatural Horror / Fantasy DIRECTOR: Jack Sholder STARRING: Andrew Divoff, Holly Fields, Paul Johansson.
Critically, Wishmaster 2 received mixed-to-negative reviews. Critics often pointed to a thin script, uneven pacing, and a shift toward campiness, though the film found an audience among horror fans who enjoy inventive practical effects and the franchise’s mythos. It has since become a modest cult favorite for viewers who appreciate late-'90s horror sequels.
| Aspect | Details | |------------|--------------| | Title | Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies | | Director | Jack Sholder | | Writer | Jack Sholder (story & screenplay; Peter Atkins received “characters” credit) | | Producers | Pierre David, Clark Peterson, Noël A. Zanitsch | | Release Date | March 16, 1999 (USA, direct-to-video) | | Running Time | 93 minutes | | Budget | Approx. $2–3 million (estimated) | | Distributor | Artisan Entertainment |
