Video games, by their very nature, are often ridiculous. The Resident Evil series exemplifies this, seamlessly transitioning from moments of intense terror, like fleeing an oversized antagonist, to nonsensical puzzles, such as manipulating electronic chess pieces to open a door. Director Zach Cregger's recent Resident Evil film understands and embraces this inherent absurdity, mirroring the player's experience of navigating these bizarre scenarios with rational thought. The movie effectively translates the sensation of playing a survival horror game, complete with all its glorious, nonsensical elements.
Austin Abrams stars as Brian, an ordinary individual thrust into a situation he's only encountered on screen. His character serves as a proxy for the viewer, capturing the feeling of playing a Resident Evil game rather than portraying a seasoned protagonist. This choice is Cregger's masterstroke, becoming a primary source of the film's humor. As Cregger explained during a set visit, "It’s like if I were thrust into a Resident Evil video game. I’d be totally unequipped... It would just be me panicking from one situation to another." This sentiment directly informs Brian's actions, from his humorous exasperation with mundane obstacles like climbing stairs to his vocal assertion of being "not a gun guy," despite quickly being forced to learn.
Brian stumbles through his journey in Raccoon City, often disbelieving his surroundings. The film's relentless pace, combined with Abrams' expressive performance, elicits laughter even during tense sequences. When the film does pause, it often focuses on Abrams' face as he grapples with the grotesque. This mirrors the player's wide-eyed reaction to the monstrous creations within the games. While real-life logic dictates fleeing such horrors, video games foster a sense of invulnerability. Cregger, drawing from his own experiences with Resident Evil 4, masterfully balances this survival horror dread with joyful absurdity.
The film channels the spirit of iconic game introductions, such as Resident Evil 4's village section. The initial creeping dread is shattered by a sudden, aggressive escalation. In the movie, the ominous bark of a dog signals a shift from tension to the absurd. While Brian may lack the combat prowess of Leon Kennedy, he nonetheless unleashes a shotgun blast that graphically dispatches an undead opponent, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Cregger, known for his work on "Barbarian" and "Weapons," demonstrates a talent for punctuating terror with humor. "Resident Evil" follows this pattern, providing Brian with funny moments that reflect typical player reactions. Instead of delivering quippy one-liners, Brian's exclamations, like a simple "damn" when faced with the ungodly, feel more authentic to the player experience. Abrams' portrayal of these reactions echoes the unscripted enjoyment derived from watching streamers play through similar games.
Much of the humor stems from Brian's failures and ineptitude, rather than portraying seasoned professionals. This is evident in the screen time dedicated to Paul Walter Hauser's hapless company man compared to Kali Reis's expert operative. A running gag involves Brian's attempts to open locked doors with a gun, a playful subversion of the games' frequent reliance on absurd key items and puzzles. These moments highlight Cregger's knack for playing with audience expectations and translating the core experience of a Resident Evil game.
The film prioritizes the overall experience of playing a survival horror game over a barrage of Easter eggs, showcasing a deep appreciation for not only Capcom's series but also for video games in general and their inherent silliness. Cregger's inventive take on a stalker enemy also evokes the delightful madness found in titles like "Inside" and the "Katamari" series.
Only video games routinely blend the mundane task of searching for ammo with confronting otherworldly creatures, then expect the player to proceed as if nothing extraordinary occurred. Brian faces this repeatedly, yet perseveres, often seeming to share a laugh with the audience at the absurdity of it all. His exclamation of "Video games!" in a rare moment of success feels like a direct address from Cregger to the audience, encapsulating the filmmaker's affection for the delightfully silly source material.
Ultimately, "Resident Evil" is a ridiculous film, but in the best possible way. It succeeds as an adaptation not by replicating the narrative beat-for-beat, but by capturing and reproducing the joy of playing the games. While a Mr. X cameo is absent, the laughter elicited by the film's own brand of absurdity fills that void, proving to be the truly important element.