Austin Abrams in Resident Evil
Remember how excited I was for Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City? I was equally excited to return to the world of Raccoon City for Zach Cregger’s take on the Resident Evil franchise. Was I sad that Johannes Roberts never got to take a crack at a second film? Sure. However, Cregger’s entry had me leaving the theater hoping I wouldn’t be disappointed a second time, because I loved this version of Resident Evil.
“Resident Evil follows Bryan (Austin Abrams), a medical courier who unwittingly finds himself in an action-packed, non-stop race for survival as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos.”
Making a good video game adaptation tends to be difficult. If I’m honest, the Resident Evil franchise has probably been the most successful overall, despite some obvious missteps. Zach Cregger has done something a little bit different that we haven’t really seen since probably the first Resident Evil film; he’s set the events of the film outside what folks would recognize from the game. In doing so, he’s made a film that players and non-players can enjoy. That said, there are plenty of easter eggs for those who are familiar with the game and its lore. Things like a typewriter next to a money box, red and green plants, keys with symbols, etc show up throughout the movie. One of my favorite nods to the games was Bryan’s weapon upgrades throughout and how he had to look for ammo in drawers.
The way the film was shot also lent to its video game feel. The scenes where Bryan was driving felt like traveling through a game that isn’t open-world and has that “on rails” feeling. Moments that diverge from the set path feel obvious in a similar way. The film’s first act is shot beautifully. The use of darkness, shadows, and the practical lighting of things in the scene, such as the red and blue lights from the cop’s SUV or the porch lights of the farm, is top-notch. That first act really draws on the imagery of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. By the 2nd and 3rd acts, we’re taken to Raccoon City and all its alleyways and sewers. The film is truly a feast for the eyes.
Austin Abrams in Resident Evil
As mentioned above, unlike other entries, we don’t have the commonly seen characters like Chris, Claire, Leon, Jill, Ada, Wesker, etc. Heck, there is even minimal mention of Umbrella for most of the film. Instead, we follow Bryan as he tries to get a delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital. Along the way, he has to solve puzzles to get out of the various situations he comes across. Having a story not beholden to the game really works for Cregger’s shooting and writing style. The film has its share of laughs, scares, and shocks. The story does leave itself open for continuation, but wouldn’t become unwatchable if that didn’t happen. Personally, if Cregger wasn’t interested in returning, I’d love to see other directors use their personal style to make an “in the world of” entry. It could do something really unique for the franchise.
Speaking of unique to the franchise, Austin Abrams does a pretty solid job carrying the film as the new to the Resident Evil world, Bryan. Watching him is sort of like watching your favorite Twitch streamer learning the ropes of a game unfamiliar to them. Paul Walter Hauser’s Carl, the Umbrella employee that Bryan meets in his quest to get to the hospital, also provides some great laughs. I’m not typically one for comedy, but Resident Evil does a great job of balancing the horror with the humorous.
All in all, Resident Evil is a great time! I can’t wait to see it again because I’m sure there are things I missed! Zach Cregger is proving himself to be a force to watch in horror, whether it’s a franchise or not. I look forward to seeing whatever he does next! Resident Evil is out now in theaters!
My Rating: 4/5