The ending of Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil movie has proven to be divisive, with fans debating its effectiveness as a conclusion to the film’s tragic narrative. Cregger opted against a direct adaptation of the game's lore, instead following Bryan Hodukavich, a medical courier tasked with delivering a package to Raccoon City General Hospital.
The Tragic Downfall
After encountering mutated creatures, Bryan discovers the package contains a chemical agent for a vaccine. However, he is bitten by an infected girl and ultimately transforms into a Nemesis. In his mutated state, with his consciousness still largely intact, Bryan attempts to obtain the vaccine but succumbs to the virus, killing the scientists who could have helped him. The film concludes with Nemesis-Bryan dropping the syringe, which falls out of reach, marking a bleak end to his efforts.
Critics of the ending feel that Bryan's ordeal resulted in no payoff. Some also expressed dissatisfaction with the portrayal of the Umbrella scientists, whose perceived incompetence contributed to the tragic outcome. One viewer described the ending as "abrupt," "awkward," and "rushed," feeling that the film "slipped on a banana peel at the end." Others echoed this sentiment, stating that the "ridiculous" turn of events detracted from the earlier horror elements and that the "bad/sad ending" felt forced after considerable build-up.
An NPC's Fate
Conversely, some fans argue that Bryan was never intended to be the hero, viewing him as an "NPC" whose story serves to illustrate the creation of a Resident Evil monster. His recorded voice note for his girlfriend is cited as an example of world-building detail typical for player characters. This perspective suggests that Bryan's survival was always unlikely, given the nature of events in the Resident Evil universe, where supporting characters rarely emerge unscathed.
Supporters of this interpretation highlight that "very few main characters walk away from the Resident Evil events untouched," and that even those who survive are often scarred. They posit that Bryan's transformation into a biological weapon (BOW) was an inevitable consequence of his circumstances, aligning with the established lore where such individuals often become antagonists or casualties.
Lead actor Austin Abrams acknowledged the ending's impact, calling it "crazy and shocking." He praised Cregger for taking a risk and delivering an ending that "rip[s] your heart out," contrasting it with modern films that he feels are too afraid to deliver such impactful blows.
Cregger revealed that the film’s conclusion was a contingency plan, with an alternative ending having been considered. IGN awarded the film an 8 out of 10, with reviewer Tom Jorgensen describing it as a "simple and exciting survival horror story that benefits greatly from director Zach Cregger’s sensibilities."