While previous cinematic iterations of Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise have prioritized explosive action over atmospheric dread, director Zach Cregger appears to have unlocked the secret to a successful adaptation: faithfully recreating the tension and resource management that define the games. Moving away from the spectacles that characterized the six-film series starring Milla Jovovich, Cregger’s approach avoids the pitfalls of mere fan service seen in recent failures like 2021’s Welcome to Raccoon City.
Cregger brings a dual advantage to the project as both a skilled horror filmmaker and a genuine enthusiast of the series. His background, established through films like Barbarian and Weapons, allows him to construct compelling characters and generate unique scares while maintaining a deep understanding of what makes survival horror effective.
The story follows Bryan, portrayed by Austin Abrams, a medical courier who takes a critical delivery run to Raccoo City shortly after learning his girlfriend is pregnant. This premise introduces an everyman protagonist burdened by anxiety and personal flaws, fitting the mold of a classic Resident Evil hero. The narrative shifts into a tense first-person perspective early on, mirroring the camera work of the original game as Bryan approaches an injured woman who transforms into a monster.
Throughout the film, the camera frequently adopts the over-the-shoulder viewpoint iconic to Resident Evil 4, immersing viewers in Bryan’s journey. When he discovers weapons, such as a pistol or shotgun, the scarcity of ammunition becomes a recurring source of tension. In one notable sequence referencing the games’ save system, Bryan encounters a solitary typewriter in a dark room. The filmmaking style often mimics the jerky movements of a controller, enhancing the feeling of interactivity.
The film argues that a video game adaptation should neither slavishly copy every detail nor ignore the source material’s fundamental mechanics. As Hollywood prepares for adaptations like The Legend of Zelda and learns from the successes of Sonic and Minecraft, Cregger’s Resident Evil offers a blueprint for balancing creative interpretation with the core elements that made the original games terrifying.
The over-the-shoulder camera work sounds like a brilliant choice. It really does seem like they nailed the gaming feel.
Sounds promising, but I remain skeptical. Most video game movies fail to capture the tension, not just the visuals.
Wait, Austin Abrams plays the lead? I didn’t expect him to pull off that level of anxiety so convincingly.
I loved the typewriter scene, but wasn’t the pacing in the second act a bit too slow for a thriller?
Finally, a Resident Evil movie that understands horror isn’t about explosions. This is exactly what the franchise needed.