Resident Evil is a comedy first and a thrilling nightmare second

Video game movies now embrace blending genres, making horror more accessible and fun.

Director Zach Cregger's new Resident Evil film, set to release on September 18th, reimagines the franchise by blending horror with comedy, a departure from the more action-oriented 2002 film. Unlike previous adaptations that strayed from the source material, Cregger's version returns to the core elements of Capcom's games, focusing on terrifying monsters and a stripped-down narrative. The story follows Bryan, a newly created character portrayed by Austin Abrams, a medical courier on a delivery to Raccoon City. His journey takes a dangerous turn when he encounters a shambling woman and realizes the extent of the mutated threats. The film emphasizes survival horror, with Bryan's bumbling and fearful reactions mimicking the experience of playing a Resident Evil game for the first time. Cregger employs humor to enhance the horror, making the infected creatures as unsettling as they are amusing, and uses Bryan's evolving survival instincts to drive the plot.

Zach Cregger's directorial approach to Resident Evil signals a significant evolution in video game movie adaptations, moving beyond pure action or faithful but uninspired lore retellings. By centering the narrative on a civilian character, Bryan, and his relatable, often comical, struggles against horrifying threats, Cregger taps into the inherent 'beginner's luck' and panic that defines early gameplay experiences. This strategy not only makes the film broadly appealing to those unfamiliar with the games but also cleverly reinterprets the survival horror genre by amplifying its absurdities alongside its terror.

This new Resident Evil's success could pave the way for more genre-bending adaptations that prioritize creative interpretation over strict adherence to source material. The film's emphasis on humor as a tool to heighten horror suggests a growing confidence within the industry to experiment with established formulas. The focus on a civilian protagonist's journey also offers a fresh perspective, potentially influencing future adaptations to explore character-driven narratives that resonate with a wider audience, rather than relying solely on established fan bases.