Zach Cregger's Resident Evil reboot finally nails the video-game adaptation
Director Zach Cregger's Resident Evil reboot finally works with Austin Abrams as the lead.
The Resident Evil franchise has never successfully translated to film despite massive video game popularity. Previous film adaptations starring Milla Jovovich were only more than low-budget cult classics.
Director Zach Cregger, known for Weapons, was asked to break that streak. Austin Abrams plays Brian, a medical courier who makes a final delivery to Raccoon City.
He quickly realises something has gone terribly wrong. Cregger shifts between third-person and first-person camera views from the games.
His horror approach avoids cheap jump scares. Instead he uses long shots, slow camera moves, and creepy images to build tension.
Abrams delivers both genuine scares and consistent humour. His character stumbles through corridors with no idea what is going on.
- over 30 games since 1997
- Franchise size
- Zach Cregger
- Director
- Austin Abrams as Brian
- Lead actor
Why it mattersResident Evil succeeds where decades of video-game adaptations have failed. Respecting source material and understanding how the game works can make a compelling film.
