The upcoming Resident Evil film from director Zach Cregger has faced some criticism from fans who felt it was diverging too much from the source material, particularly with its absence of established characters like Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield. While the movie's existence has been known for months, earlier trailers and previews failed to establish a clear connection to Capcom's horror game series. This changed with the release of a new trailer, which explicitly mentions Raccoon City in its closing moments.
The latest preview expands on elements seen in the initial trailer. The story follows Bryan, portrayed by Austin Abrams, a courier tasked with delivering vital organs for transplants. His next assignment, which offers a doubled payment, is a delivery to Raccoon City. However, his journey takes a perilous turn when an unforeseen obstacle derails his plans. Director Cregger has indicated that Bryan's struggle for survival occurs concurrently with the events of Resident Evil 2. However, the film's adherence to the game's '90s setting is called into question by the presence of a smartphone in the protagonist's possession.
Regardless of its precise place within the Resident Evil timeline, the film appears to capture the series' atmosphere with elements of horror and a protagonist frequently searching for resources. Resident Evil is scheduled to release in theaters on September 18.