Horror director Zach Cregger, known for his work on Barbarian and Weapons, shared his frustration that the discourse surrounding his Resident Evil film adaptation largely ignored the movie itself. Speaking on The Town with Matthew Belloni podcast, Cregger explained that he felt the conversation was dominated by fan expectations and comparisons to the source material, rather than an evaluation of the film on its own terms.
Cregger noted that discussions frequently centered on whether the movie adhered to the lore of the video games, which characters were included or excluded, and the creative liberties taken. He expressed that much of this dialogue felt disconnected from the actual cinematic experience, stating, "All the conversation just felt like it was about not the movie."
Despite initial skepticism and fan concerns about elements such as the lack of snow in Raccoon City or the presence of smartphones, Cregger's Resident Evil ultimately proved to be a commercial success. The film garnered positive reviews, including an 8/10 from IGN, and opened with a strong $108 million worldwide box office. It has since surpassed $400 million globally, a performance Cregger is proud of, though he admitted to being surprised by the fan reaction.
While Cregger has expressed interest in creating a sequel, he has also indicated a desire to move away from franchise films after this experience. He is currently developing an original sci-fi thriller titled The Flood, which is slated to star Jennifer Lawrence and is set for release on August 11, 2028.
The success of the Resident Evil movie has also been linked to an increase in sales for Capcom's game series, and fan discussions continue regarding the film's ending. Cregger's experience highlights the challenges of adapting beloved intellectual property and managing fan expectations in the digital age.