Resident Evil is set to return to the big screen with a darker and more intense vision, as writer-director Zach Cregger reveals how he aimed to capture the fear, tension and atmosphere of the iconic horror game series.
Speaking to Deadline during the Resident Evil x Discord Fan Event at Comic-Con, Cregger and actor Austin Abrams shared details about the upcoming film, its practical action sequences, challenging camera work and the final moments that left the director especially proud.
The Sony adaptation follows Bryan, a medical courier who travels to the infamous Raccoon City to deliver an important package. However, his mission quickly turns into a fight for survival as he faces the horrors unfolding around him.
Cregger said he wanted the film to remain true to the spirit of the Capcom video game franchise, which he described as a survival horror experience rather than an action film.
“The most important thing to make it a Resident Evil story is the tone and the rhythm,” Cregger told Deadline. He said the film focuses on a slow descent into fear, where the character moves from darkness into a desperate struggle for survival.
“It’s not a survival action. He’s not a badass going around and karate kicking these zombies. It’s more intense, grounded dread, tone and atmosphere,” he said.
Cregger also confirmed that the film will include key elements from the games, including the T-virus created by Umbrella Corporation and the setting of Raccoon City before the viral outbreak.
The director said he intentionally avoided bringing major game characters into the film, including fan favourites such as Lady Dimitrescu and Wesker.
“I don’t want to cannibalise all these things that the games do so well,” he said, adding that he did not want to replace or reinterpret characters that fans already love.
Instead, Cregger wanted audiences to recognise the film through its atmosphere, pacing and structure.
The director revealed that the 95-minute film focuses on a tight and efficient storytelling style. He said he wanted to avoid unnecessary scenes and create a leaner horror experience.
Among the sequences he is most proud of is a major action scene shown in the trailer, where Bryan runs through a street as zombies leap from buildings while explosions erupt around him. Cregger said the sequence was filmed practically and was one of the film’s most intense moments.
Abrams also highlighted the same scene, while praising the film’s complex camera work. He said working with camera operator James Van Der Reyden required precise coordination between the actor and the camera.
Cregger explained that the camera movement was inspired by the third-person perspective of the video games. The team designed shots where the camera follows Bryan’s movements in a similar way to how players follow their characters in the games.
The director also teased that the final 30 seconds of the film are among his favourite moments.
“The last 30 seconds of the movie to me are so — I’m very proud of the last 30 seconds,” he said.
The film will also feature several details familiar to longtime fans, including objects from the games such as herbs, typewriters, locks and padlocks. Cregger said these elements help recreate the feeling and rhythm of the original games.
“The flow of the movie is the same as the flow of the game,” he said, explaining that the story moves from one set piece to another, with each section presenting a different threat.
Resident Evil, directed by Zach Cregger and co-written with Shay Hatten, is scheduled to release on 18 September.
