Metro Manila, Philippines – The world of Resident Evil returns to the big screen with new monsters, familiar elements from the video games and a story that brings audiences back to Raccoon City.
Directed by Zach Cregger and co-written with Shay Hatten, the new Resident Evil film introduces original creatures created with creature effects supervisor Shane Mahan.
“Everything had to have a shock value and a sense of realism to play against the humor,” Hatten said.
The film follows medical courier Bryan, played by Austin Abrams, who is tasked with transporting a package to Raccoon City. His seemingly routine journey descends into chaos as zombies overrun the streets.
Cregger, himself a fan of the Resident Evil games, incorporated several references familiar to longtime players, including healing spray cans and green herbs.
“If you’ve played the games a ton, you won’t be able to help but notice some of the healing spray cans and some of the green herbs,” Cregger said.
The director also drew inspiration from the games’ visual language, particularly their over-the-shoulder perspective.
“We are locked over Bryan’s shoulder because I’m really interested in honoring that video game language,” Cregger said.
“And with the games, you really are perched on the shoulder of someone. So, if Bryan is walking through a corridor, we’re mostly behind him. When he looks left, we swing over to see what he’s looking at. If he looks right, we kind of swing this way,” he added.
Abrams said the film mixes horror and comedy with a relentless pace designed for the theatrical experience.
“There’s a non-stop kind of energy to Resident Evil, and because it has both horror and comedic elements, you want to experience the film with others,” Abrams said.
“You want to hear the reactions and the energy of those around you, who are screaming or laughing, or both.”
For Cregger, bringing the franchise back to theaters is also an opportunity to tell a new story within the established Resident Evil universe while appealing to longtime fans.
“Going to see a horror movie in a theatre is a communal experience, and therefore you’re tapping into an energy that makes the experience greater than it would be if you’re sitting on your couch doing it all by yourself,” he said.
Resident Evil opens in Philippine cinemas, including IMAX, on Sept. 16.
