Following the success of “Brutal Nights” and “Hour of Evil”, director Zach Cregger received a $20 million budget from Sony to helm a bold reboot of the Resident Evil franchise. The test screening, released by World of Reel, received positive reviews, but critics note that the film strays almost entirely from the games, retaining only a few easter eggs and familiar creatures.
Cregger chose a lean format: 90 minutes of pure adrenaline, focused on constant tension, reminiscent of a “Mad Max: Fury Road” thriller. The cast is limited and world‑building minimal, giving the film a more cinematic feel, with striking framing and predominately practical effects.
The domestic premiere is set for September 17, coinciding with the release of “From Magic to Seduction 2”. The protagonist, Bryan, will be played by Austin Abrams, a courier who must deliver a mysterious case to Raccoon City Hospital during a viral outbreak. Abrams brings to the screen an eccentric character, almost like a player avatar, who traverses nightmarish settings without much emotional depth – exactly what the director intends.
The script, co‑written by Cregger and Shay Hatten (of “Army of the Dead: Invasion in Las Vegas”), promises an original story set between the events of Resident Evil 2 and 3, without the classic series characters. Production is handled by Constantin Film, responsible for the previous titles, in partnership with PlayStation Productions.
It is worth noting that the last adaptation attempt, “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City”, was harshly criticized (30 % on Rotten Tomatoes) and performed poorly at the box office, grossing only $41.9 million against a $25 million budget. It remains to be seen whether the new reboot can surpass that track record and sustain hype until its release.
