A prisoner wishes to "pass through" the bars of his cell, resulting in a gruesome, bone-crushing transformation.
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:
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 Wishmaster 2- Evil Never Dies
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.
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. A prisoner wishes to "pass through" the bars
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
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. While many direct-to-video sequels of the late 90s
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?
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