When Paul W.S. Anderson’s Resident Evil first hit theaters in 2002, video game movies were still considered a niche. While earlier attempts like Mortal Kombat and Tomb Raider had shown that game adaptations could be successful, the failure of films like the 1993 Super Mario Bros. left many skeptical. Anderson’s version of Raccoon City was visually impressive and popular with general audiences, but it left many longtime fans of the Resident Evil video games disappointed, as it strayed far from the source material. Now, weapons director Zach Cregger is offering a fresh take on the franchise, one that honors its roots while showcasing how video game movies have evolved over the years. His film is lean, terrifying, and surprisingly funny—balancing horror with humor in a way that feels new for the Resident Evil series. Cregger’s Resident Evil tells a stripped-down story focused on Bryan (Austin Abrams), a medical courier created specifically for the film. Bryan lives in a mountain town and knows that traveling to Raccoon City in winter is a tough journey, but a lucrative last-minute delivery gig convinces him to take the risk. The trip begins uneventfully, but things take a dark turn when Bryan accidentally hits a woman who doesn’t seem to realize she’s been hit by his car. This moment sets the tone for the film, blending tension with humor as Bryan tries to help her, only to be caught off guard by the eerie world around him. As Bryan ventures deeper into Raccoon City, he encounters the infected, the grotesque creatures that are central to the Resident Evil games. Cregger’s take on these monsters is both terrifying and oddly amusing, especially when Bryan makes quips about their transformations. This mix of horror and comedy helps the film feel more accessible, even to those unfamiliar with the game’s lore. Abrams plays Bryan with a wide-eyed innocence that makes his survival instincts feel like a learning curve—something that mirrors the experience of playing a Resident Evil game for the first time. Cregger’s approach is different from other recent video game adaptations. Unlike The Last of Us, which focuses heavily on character development, or The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which features grand set pieces, Resident Evil prioritizes atmosphere and survival horror. The film’s suspense comes from Bryan’s encounters with danger, whether he’s searching for supplies or navigating dark hallways. These moments feel like they’re directly channeling the gameplay of the original games, while also subtly acknowledging the role video games play in shaping how people experience horror. By focusing on a civilian rather than trained agents, Cregger gives the film a more grounded, personal feel that could pave the way for future Resident Evil movies. Resident Evil is set to hit theaters on September 18th and stars Zach Cherry, Will Merrick, Zoé Bellas, Chris Lew Kum Hoi, Griffin Newman, and Magdalena Sittovaas.