Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Movie Promises Nonstop Horror – “It Explodes Five Minutes In”

Zach Cregger is taking the “Resident Evil” franchise in a new direction, but fans should not expect a simple remake or another familiar retelling of the games. The filmmaker behind “Barbarian” and “Weapons” is creating his own story inside the world of “Resident Evil,” with new characters, new scares, and a style that he says still feels completely like his own work.

Speaking with Empire, Cregger revealed that making a “Resident Evil” movie was his idea from the beginning. While the success of his previous horror films could have opened the door to many major franchises, he personally chose the world of Capcom’s popular survival horror series.

According to Cregger, the rights holders were willing to give him the freedom to create something different. “They were kind enough to hear me out and let me run with it,” the director told Empire.

He also explained that the upcoming film is not simply an attempt to copy the games or recreate famous moments from them. Instead, he wants the movie to carry his own style while respecting the franchise that inspired it. “It’s really a Zach Cregger movie that just happens to be a Resident Evil movie,” Cregger said.

The director is also focusing on the feeling of actually playing a “Resident Evil” game. Rather than following a superhero-style character who already knows how to fight, the movie will center on someone much more ordinary.

The main character is Bryan, played by Austin Abrams, a medical courier who finds himself caught in a dangerous situation. Cregger described Bryan as someone who is completely unprepared for the nightmare ahead of him.

“The concept here is that we’re following an idiot,” Cregger said. “Not that he’s stupid, but he’s not your typical game character, with no combat skills whatsoever and completely inept at survival.”

The filmmaker compared Bryan’s journey to a classic adventure story, saying the character is an everyday person who suddenly has to carry a huge responsibility.

“Bryan is very much an everyman who happens to be burdened with this kind of sacred mission that’s going to take him into the heart of everything. It’s kind of like Frodo going into Mordor,” Cregger explained.

Unlike “Barbarian” and “Weapons,” which are known for their surprising twists and changing perspectives, Cregger says “Resident Evil” will take a more straightforward approach. The goal is to create a fast-moving horror experience that constantly pushes the audience forward.

Empire reported that Cregger wants the movie to feel like a long, intense journey filled with one dangerous situation after another. He took inspiration from the structure of the games, where players move through different areas and face new challenges at every turn.

“It feels like one gigantic sequence,” Cregger said. “Things pop off about five minutes in and it basically stays like that until the end.”

The director added that one of the things he loves about the games is the constant feeling of progression and survival.

“What I love about the games is that you move from set-piece to set-piece. Every location has a unique challenge,” he said.

With Cregger behind the camera, the upcoming “Resident Evil” movie looks set to blend the filmmaker’s unique horror style with the survival elements that made the game franchise famous. If his comments are anything to go by, fans can expect a nonstop horror ride that wastes little time before the chaos begins.

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