The upcoming Resident Evil film, directed by Zach Cregger, appears to be a deep dive into the franchise's lore, as evidenced by a new trailer packed with references for dedicated fans. Cregger, a self-proclaimed admirer of Capcom's survival-horror series, has crafted an original story set during the Raccoon City Incident, following a new protagonist's struggle for survival.
The trailer opens with courier Bryan, portrayed by Austin Abrams, completing a delivery at a local hospital. A closer look at the bag he receives for his journey to Raccoon City reveals a striking resemblance to the first aid kit from the Resident Evil remake. This detail sets the stage for the numerous nods to the games that follow.
A recurring visual motif in the trailer is the combination of red and white colors, echoing the sinister logo of the Umbrella Corporation. This palette is prominently featured in a scene where Bryan encounters an infected resident, and again when his shoelaces, red against white leather, are visible as he applies the brakes to his vehicle.
Weaponry also receives attention, with a shotgun model in the trailer closely resembling the M21 shotgun from Resident Evil 7. The act of scavenging for ammunition, a staple of the Resident Evil experience, is shown as Bryan searches for shells.
Further cementing the game connections, a classic typewriter makes a brief appearance. In the Resident Evil games, typewriters typically serve as manual save points, often requiring ink ribbons for limited saves, especially on higher difficulties. Another detail is a box of shotgun shells bearing the Heavy Field Buckshot logo, a brand previously featured in Resident Evil 4 and 5.
The trailer escalates to showcase the chaotic atmosphere of Raccoon City, with infected civilians aggressively pursuing Bryan. The film also offers glimpses of other characters, such as Paul Walter Hauser's Carl, who delivers cryptic lines, and a disturbing image of a baby with an unnaturally long arm, hinting at the bioweapons' horrific effects.
Resident Evil is scheduled to premiere in theaters on September 18. Director Cregger, who reportedly had creative freedom for the project, aims to immerse audiences in the film's unfolding chaos within its 95-minute runtime. This film is not the only Capcom adaptation arriving this year; Street Fighter is set to follow on October 16.