Director Zach Cregger, who previously helmed the acclaimed horror film "Barbarian" and the anthology segment "Aunt Gladys" in "A24 Presents: The House," has offered a glimpse into the unvarnished vision for his upcoming Resident Evil movie. Speaking with Empire, Cregger described the film as featuring "really wild" sequences and "f**ked up and weird" imagery, indicating a willingness to explore the grotesque aspects of the franchise.
Cregger stated that the Resident Evil movie is the most violent project he has ever undertaken, emphasizing the importance of being "grotesque" with the material. He also noted that he was granted "didn't have anyone putting any sort of limitations" on him, having been granted "total freedom" and "final-cut" privileges. This level of creative control, typically reserved for a select few filmmakers, suggests a significant degree of trust from the studio in Cregger's direction.
The director, who identifies as a "massive Resident Evil fan," stressed his intention to tell his own story rather than simply checking off established series elements. He explained his approach as focusing on "one dude’s journey on foot, fighting monsters" and prioritizing a compelling narrative over fan service. Cregger promised an intense experience, stating, "We step on the gas at about eight minutes in and never take our foot off the floor."
The film is set to release on September 18 and stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier tasked with a delivery to a hospital in Raccoon City. According to Cregger, Abrams narrowly avoided serious injury during the filming of a scene involving a 150-pound blood bag that ultimately made it into the final cut.
Meanwhile, the Resident Evil game series continues its success, with Capcom recently announcing that the latest installment, Resident Evil Village, has surpassed 8 million units sold worldwide.