It is impossible to discuss Wishmaster 2 without highlighting the magnetic performance of Andrew Divoff. While horror icons like Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger) and Doug Bradley (Pinhead) hid behind heavy prosthetics, Divoff spent a significant portion of the film in his human form, relying on sheer charisma, an impossibly deep voice, and a sinister, predatory charm.
Sholder recognized that the concept of an evil genie was inherently ridiculous. Rather than fighting the absurdity, he leaned into it. Wishmaster 2 plays out like a dark fantasy comic book. The pacing is snappy, the lighting is neon and dramatic, and the film embraces its camp roots.
The Djinn, adopting the alias Nathaniel Demerest, gets himself arrested to follow Morgan, who is also imprisoned after the botched heist. Inside the prison, the Djinn begins manipulating inmates and staff, granting wishes with horrifying results:
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.
(Holly Fields) inadvertently shatters a fire opal with a stray gunshot, releasing the Djinn (Andrew Divoff). As Morgana flees, her partner is killed after inadvertently wishing he had "never been born"—the Djinn grants this by literally regressing him into a fetus until he vanishes. The Prison Plot Wishmaster 2- Evil Never Dies
Underneath the heavy silicone makeup, Divoff uses his voice and piercing eyes to project a terrifying warmth.
True to Djinn lore, the entity must grant three wishes to the person who woke him (Morgana) to unleash his brethren upon the Earth. To hasten this process, the Djinn takes human form (as "Nathaniel Demerest") and surrenders to the police to infiltrate the penal system. He grants violent, ironic wishes to inmates and guards to harvest souls. Morgana, experiencing nightmares and realizing the danger, teams up with a priest, Father Gregory, to find a way to banish the Djinn forever. The climax involves a high-stakes encounter in a Las Vegas casino, resulting in a classic "be careful what you wish for" resolution.
A prisoner wishes to "walk right through the bars" of his cell. The Djinn grants this by violently compressing and stretching the man's skeleton and organs so he literally slides through the narrow gaps, killing him instantly.
Wishmaster 2 was directed and written by Jack Sholder, a veteran horror director known for A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge . The film was produced on a budget of approximately $2.5 million, half of the original film's budget. This budget cut, coupled with the original's modest box office, resulted in the film being released directly to cable television and home video, bypassing a theatrical run. It is impossible to discuss Wishmaster 2 without
For example, actor Andrew Divoff (the Djinn) famously does not blink during his performances, even in scenes lasting over two minutes. Film Overview
“Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies” (1999) continues the franchise’s macabre exploration of wish fulfillment, following the Djinn’s relentless drive to manipulate human longing into apocalyptic ends. Less grand in scope than the original but more focused in its psychological signatures, the sequel reframes the central threat as a study of temptation’s ordinary vectors—grief, hope, and the yearning for control—while interrogating whether evil is an external force or an emergent property of human desire.
A prisoner wishes to "pass through" the bars of his cell, resulting in a gruesome, bone-crushing transformation.
The sequel scales back the grand mythos of the first film to focus on a more localized, character-driven narrative. By placing the Djinn in a prison setting, the film creates a claustrophobic pressure cooker where desperation runs high. This environment naturally enhances the cruelty of the Djinn's wishes, turning the prison into a playground of twisted irony. Andrew Divoff’s Definitive Performance Rather than fighting the absurdity, he leaned into it
Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies (1999) is a direct-to-video sequel praised by fans for embracing absurdism, creative gore effects, and Andrew Divoff’s performance as the sinister Djinn. Directed by Jack Sholder, the film follows a trapped Djinn manipulating prisoners for souls in a high-concept, low-budget production. For a detailed review and analysis, visit Outlaw Vern's review Wishmaster 2-4 | VERN'S REVIEWS on the FILMS of CINEMA
A large portion of the film takes place in a prison, which allows the Djinn to prey on those who are already marginalized or morally compromised.
While often described as having a "lack of features" compared to later sequels, certain editions (like the Horror DNA review of the Blu-ray collection) include:
The late 1990s were a transitional, often turbulent era for horror cinema. Slasher icons of the previous decade were either being reinvented through the self-aware lens of Scream or relegated to the direct-to-video market. Emerging from this landscape was Wishmaster (1997), a practical effects-heavy spectacle executive produced by Wes Craven. It introduced horror fans to the Djinn—a sadistic, wish-granting demon played with theatrical malice by Andrew Divoff.
Wishmaster 2 is best remembered for its highly creative, darkly humorous kill sequences. Director Jack Sholder leaned heavily into the absurdity of the wishes, resulting in standout moments that have achieved cult status:
Directed by Jack Sholder, Wishmaster 2 refines the camp, increases the body count, and leans heavily into the sadistic irony of its titular monster. This article explores the narrative structure, production history, thematic depth, and enduring legacy of one of the most entertaining horror sequels of the late 90s. Plot Analysis: Be Careful What You Wish For