Video game movies have a mixed history. Up until pretty recently, they were mostly studio shlock hoping to profit off of a built-in audience with little to no care taken with the source material. While some do have a campy following (like the Resident Evil film franchise), it’s undisputed that the story as presented in the film’s has almost nothing to do with the story and lore of the games.
While I’m a long-time video gamer, my attachment to Resident Evil is somewhat new. I saw the live-action show at Universal Studios Osaka in 2024 and immediately decided that I needed to know what the hell this was all about. Fast forward several games and one tattoo later, I think I’m officially obsessed.
When I saw that Zach Cregger was rebooting the Resident Evil franchise, I was pumped. A long-time fan of the games himself, Cregger is promising a much more faithful while still fresh adaptation to the source material. While I don’t claim to be the world’s most judicious Resident Evil fan, I feel capable as a fan of both Cregger and the games to let folks know what we can expect from his new take.
For Newbies
Resident Evil is a video game franchise following a zombie apocalypse by way of bioweapons and corporate tomfoolery. The T-Virus, which was developed by the Umbrella Corporation through less than savory means, eventually breaks loose in Raccoon City causing widespread infection. The games approach the virus differently, but the central story follows the outbreak and its effects on the world and its characters. Despite its dark setting, it’s also known for a darkly comedic tone with some campy fun energy throughout. Its unique setting is part of its appeal, and what makes it a great fit for Zach Cregger’s bonkers storytelling.
Welcome (Back) to Raccoon City
Actress Kali Reis, in her interview with ScreenRant, explained that the film will feature a new take on the origin story of the T-Virus, but one that fans will be happy with. While this may be anxiety-inducing for long-time fans, it’s worth noting that Cregger is a long-time fan of the games and has, by his own admission, invested hundreds of hours in playing them. Because of this, I think it’s a solid prediction that the movie will be set in Raccoon City during the outbreak of the T-Virus. It’s the setting for games Resident Evil 2 and 3, and its midwestern city vibe creates claustrophobic yet thrilling gameplay. Setting it here would ground fans while giving Cregger the freedom to tell his own story with new characters and ideas. Speaking of which …
“Where’s everybody going? Bingo?”
A bummer to all the Leon stans (myself included), but it’s a sure thing he’s not going to be in Resident Evil (2026). Cregger already told Variety, “I’m not going to tell Leon’s story, because Leon’s story is told in the games. [Fans] already have that.” I think it’s a safe bet that we’re not going to get any of the main story characters either (Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield), since Cregger is a good writer and cares about the story. Austin Abrams is set to play a new character named Bryan and the other confirmed core cast (Zach Cherry, Paul Walter Hauser, Kali Reis) don’t resemble any prior protagonists. We could get a cameo (which would be fun), but we can count on the story centering around the new characters and their view of the story.
All Killer, No Filler
Interviews indicate that Cregger understands what makes the Resident Evil series great, and it’s the survival horror. In the same interview with Variety, he describes the game’s progression as “pass(ing) through this gauntlet of terror” and wanting to carry over that feeling in a way that is cinematic and thoughtful. The Resident Evil games are already cinematic in many ways, but his understanding of the role horror plays promises us a game that’s more dread than action. His producer Roy Lee echoed this in an interview with Collider, saying that the increased $80 million budget gave him more time for the “technical shots,” adding, “To tell you would be ruining the pleasure of what you get seeing the movie.” Shut up and take my money.
“I hope this isn’t Chris’ blood!”
Based on his interview with Ringer, Cregger seems poised to make this his bloodiest movie yet, and with good reason. The Resident Evil franchise is at its heart a horror franchise, but the first (and third) shooter gauntlet element is just as instrumental. He described the creative process as his chance “to play … in their (Resident Evil’s) sandbox” and the film as a “rock’em sock’em … Evil Dead 2” experience. While he specifies the film will be “nothing like Barbarian or Weapons,” I think we can expect carnage on another level if he’s citing Sam Raimi, and the games give him plenty of inspiration to draw from. Don’t play Resident Evil 7 if you have a weak stomach.
Resident Evil will be released in theaters on September 18, 2026, by Sony.
What are your predictions for Cregger’s next film? Have you played the games, or only seen the Paul W.S. Anderson movies? Let me know in the comments.