Zach Cregger's recent Resident Evil film has been praised for its unique approach, focusing on capturing the emotional essence of playing a Resident Evil game rather than adhering strictly to franchise lore. This method echoes a sentiment found in earlier game adaptations, such as Christophe Gans' Silent Hill, which successfully conveyed the player experience through specific directorial choices.
While Cregger's film includes minimal overt references to the wider Resident Evil universe—mentioning Raccoon City, the Umbrella Corporation, and featuring a typewriter and specific shotgun shells—its strength lies in how it mirrors the player's journey. The movie captures the intense highs, the brief respites, the frantic pace, the moments of player error, the satisfaction of problem-solving, and the eventual payoff of improved skill.
The narrative follows Bryan, an ordinary individual unprepared for the night's terrifying events. As he navigates his predicament, his reactions mirror those of a player in a video game. He expresses disbelief at the bizarre horrors, comically swears while fleeing danger, and exhibits common gamer behaviors such as searching for useful items, hesitating before opening ominous doors, wasting ammunition, and even accidentally discarding crucial inventory items. The film, lasting a concise 90 minutes, is described as intense, scary, fun, and often hilariously absurd.
Director Zach Cregger and actor Austin Abrams, who portrays Bryan, are credited with understanding a crucial aspect of the Resident Evil series: its inherent absurdity. The film embraces this, positioning Bryan as a relatable stand-in for the player who can both scream and laugh at the unfolding chaos, a dynamic that the reviewer found particularly effective.
While acknowledging the appeal of direct adaptations that faithfully recreate beloved franchise elements, the reviewer highlights the profound impact of a film that successfully translates the emotional experience of playing a game. This approach has led Cregger's Resident Evil to unseat Werewolves Within as the critic's favorite video game film adaptation.