Zach Cregger’s RESIDENT EVIL Reportedly Has “Practically Nothing To Do With the Games”, But it's a Lean, Brutal Horror Ride
For years, fans of Resident Evil have been waiting for a film that truly captures the dread and intensity of the horror game franchise. The Resident Evil film series starring Milla Jovovich definitely carved out its own audience, but let’s be honest, it never quite scratched that authentic survival horror itch.
Now, with Zach Cregger stepping in to reboot the franchise, expectations have been high. But if early reports are anything to go by, this new take might not be what fans were expecting at all.
A recent test screening has sparked some interesting chatter, and the big takeaway is that Cregger’s version reportedly has “practically nothing to do with the games, aside from a few Easter eggs and some recognizable monsters.”
That might sound like a red flag, but the early buzz paints a surprisingly exciting picture.
"Early word is that Cregger hasn’t just made another video game adaptation — he’s delivered something lean, mean, and very confident.
“The runtime is 90 minutes, and it’s apparently all gas, no brakes. The film is said to be almost entirely built around tension. One attendee I spoke to called it a horror version of Fury Road."
A horror take with the relentless pacing of Mad Max: Fury Road sounds like a chaotic, nerve-shredding ride. Then there’s the scale. Instead of diving into deep lore or franchise-building, Cregger keeps things tight.
"The scope is also small and contained. Instead of a sprawling mythology, Cregger keeps the cast tight and the focus narrow. There’s almost zero world-building. Early reactions say it’s far more cinematic than previous Resident Evil movies, with strong visual framing and practical effects doing most of the work."
That’s a pretty sharp pivot from what fans usually expect from Resident Evil, which is often packed with lore, conspiracies, and Umbrella Corporation chaos. But honestly, focusing on pure tension and practical horror could be exactly what this franchise needs.
As for the story, it sounds just as strange and intense as you’d hope. According to insider MTTSH:
The movie is said to be "about a guy (Bryan, played by Austin Abrams) sent to deliver a bag that he thinks has organs in it. Then he gets stuck in the ice on the way, hits a zombie lady, gets pulled over by the cops, gets chased by a dog, gets chased by zombies that turn out to be alien zombies.
“[He then] meets Paul Walter Hauser, who works for Umbrella Corporation, and has to go to Raccoon City and then has to get the cure up to the 28th floor of the main building."
That seems to have the same concept as The Raid and Dredd. Cregger is fully aware that messing with such a beloved franchise comes with risks. During a previous interview, he said:
“I love the idea of being pitted against a world that is hellbent on annihilating you. It just feels fun and I haven’t seen a movie that offers that sort of experience," he added.
He’s also admitted he expects fans to crucify him if he strays too far. Based on these early details, that reaction might still be on the table.
The franchise’s recent track record hasn’t exactly helped build confidence. Johannes Roberts’ Welcome to Raccoon City struggled to win over audiences, even with characters like Claire and Chris Redfield front and center. And the Netflix series starring Lance Reddick as Wesker didn’t fare much better.
So maybe this is the shake-up the franchise actually needs. If Cregger delivers on tension, practical effects, and a relentless pace, fans might be willing to forgive the lack of direct ties to the games.
At this point, a fresh, terrifying experience might matter more than sticking to the usual playbook. And honestly, a 90-minute horror sprint packed with chaos, monsters, and Umbrella madness sounds like a pretty fun gamble.
Via: World of Reel