First Look at See No Evil 3: The Return of Kane (2025)

General Information:

• Director: Jen Soska & Sylvia Soska (known as “The Soska Sisters”)
• Starring:
  • Glenn “Kane” Jacobs (Jacob Goodnight)
  • Danielle Harris (Maggie)
  • Michael Eklund (New antagonist, unnamed)
  • Other rumored cast: Various survivors from previous films, new victims
• Genre: Horror, Slasher
• Studio: Lionsgate
• Release Date: 2025

Plot Overview:

See No Evil 3: The Return of Kane marks the long-awaited return of Jacob Goodnight, the monstrous antagonist portrayed by WWE legend Glenn “Kane” Jacobs. The film picks up years after the events of See No Evil 2, where Jacob Goodnight was presumed dead after a brutal showdown with survivors in a hospital. However, the first teaser trailer for The Return of Kane reveals that Goodnight’s story is far from over.

Set in a secluded, abandoned mental institution that once housed some of the most dangerous individuals in the country, the film will introduce a new set of victims—fleeing from their own dark pasts, just like the first survivors. However, they quickly discover that Goodnight’s legend has lived on in the institution’s haunting halls, as a new, deadly game of cat-and-mouse begins. The survivors must try to escape while navigating the twisted labyrinth of the old asylum and confronting the terrifying legacy of Jacob Goodnight.

Key Highlights:

1. The Return of Jacob Goodnight (Kane)
   • Glenn Jacobs’ portrayal of Jacob Goodnight is what defined the See No Evil series, and his return is sure to be the film’s centerpiece. As a grotesque, silent killer with a penchant for torturing his victims with metal hooks and gruesome traps, Goodnight is an iconic figure in the slasher genre. The trailer hints that Goodnight is back and deadlier than ever, perhaps more unhinged due to his isolation, but also more calculating.
   • A new wrinkle is added to his character in The Return of Kane—as the trailer shows a more tortured and enraged version of Goodnight, whose past crimes are now caught in the legend of the asylum. We see flashes of his sadistic nature in the form of traps that reflect his twisted view of “justice” and “punishment.”
2. The Soska Sisters’ Dark Vision
   • The Soska Sisters, known for their work on films like American Mary and Rabid, bring their unique brand of gory, psychological horror to the See No Evil franchise. From the teaser, it’s clear that they are amplifying the disturbing atmosphere of the franchise, with a focus on both visceral horror and psychological terror. The mental asylum setting will be used to explore the trauma and twisted minds of both the victims and the killer, creating a tense, claustrophobic environment that plays on fear, paranoia, and madness.
3. Psychological Horror & Survival Themes
   • While the See No Evil franchise is known for its brutal slasher elements, the third installment seems to emphasize psychological horror in a way that previous films didn’t. The asylum setting naturally lends itself to exploring themes of mental illness, trauma, and the blurred line between sanity and madness. We see moments of survivors breaking down, as they struggle to stay sane and work together in the face of Goodnight’s relentless pursuit. The mental hospital could become a twisted character in itself, with its own dark past and secrets lurking behind every corner.
   • The victims, while mostly portrayed as standard horror movie tropes, are given more depth this time. The trailer shows moments of them trying to piece together their own backstories and realizing that the horrors they face in the asylum are linked to their pasts. Their escape is no longer just about survival, but about confronting their own demons, making the stakes higher than just avoiding a killer.
4. Traps & Gore
   • True to the See No Evil franchise’s legacy, the film will feature intense, graphic violence. The teaser showcases a variety of disturbing traps designed by Jacob Goodnight, from chainsaw-tipped pendulums to rigged doors that dismember victims. The gore is amped up, with gruesome kill sequences that promise to satisfy hardcore slasher fans. Goodnight’s brutal methods of dispatching his victims will not shy away from body horror, and fans can expect plenty of blood-soaked scenes.
   • The traps in The Return of Kane seem more elaborate than ever, with an emphasis on the torturous psychological effects they have on the survivors. One of the key motifs from the trailer shows victims being “marked” in a way that implies Goodnight is toying with them long before he strikes. His need for dominance over his victims will be a central element of the film’s horror.
5. Emotional Conflict and Survivor Trauma
   • The trailer teases deeper emotional stakes for some of the returning characters. It seems that Maggie (Danielle Harris) will once again be at the center of the story, trying to reconcile the trauma of her past while fighting for survival. Maggie’s connection to the past events, her role in stopping Goodnight previously, and her relationship to the new group of survivors will be explored in greater depth.
   • The survivors are shown not only as victims of the killer but as characters who are shaped by their own personal histories. The emotional conflict within the group is underscored by a sense of guilt, trauma, and unresolved issues, which will make the horror even more personal. Expect confrontations, betrayals, and moments of emotional reckoning between characters.

Potential Concerns:

1. Over-Reliance on Gore
   • The See No Evil franchise has always been about brutal violence and gore, but there’s a danger of the series relying too heavily on shock value. The Soska Sisters are known for balancing horror with psychological depth, but it remains to be seen whether they can integrate enough character development and tension-building into the mix, or if the film will just focus on mindless slashing.
2. Underdeveloped Characters
   • As with many slasher films, character development can often take a backseat to horror set-pieces. If The Return of Kane follows a similar formula, some of the victims may become disposable figures whose deaths lack emotional impact. Balancing horror with strong, relatable characters is key to making the film more than just another splatterfest.
3. Saturation of the Slasher Genre
   • The slasher genre, especially with iconic killers like Goodnight, has seen a resurgence in recent years, but there’s a risk that audiences may be experiencing “slasher fatigue.” The challenge will be keeping the franchise fresh and exciting despite the familiar setup of a killer stalking victims in an isolated location.

Verdict:

See No Evil 3: The Return of Kane promises to deliver a gruesome, intense, and atmospheric entry in the See No Evil franchise. The return of Glenn Jacobs as Jacob Goodnight is sure to satisfy fans who’ve been waiting for the killer’s return. The setting of an abandoned mental asylum, combined with the Soska Sisters’ unique brand of psychological horror, adds a new layer of depth to the story.

While the film will undoubtedly deliver plenty of gore and suspense, the key to its success will lie in its ability to balance brutal slasher thrills with emotional storytelling and character development. With a compelling villain, disturbing traps, and a cast of survivors dealing with their own traumas, The Return of Kane has the potential to elevate the franchise while keeping true to its roots.

Anticipation Level: Moderate to High
Rating (Based on Trailer): 7.5/10