Veteran filmmaker Zach Cregger, known for his love of the Resident Evil video‑game series, returns to the franchise with a fresh horror adventure that leans heavily into the series’ iconic gore and suspense. The film follows Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier tasked with delivering a time‑sensitive organ to Raccoon City General Hospital. Along the way, Bryan must navigate a snow‑blanketed landscape teeming with infected zombies, including a grotesque “Human Centipede”‑style bio‑organic weapon inspired by the game’s Nyx.
Plot and Performances
From the opening drive‑by encounter with a woman crossing a dark rural road, the movie sets a tense, blood‑splattered tone. Bryan’s frantic ride with a catatonic passenger quickly escalates as hordes of zombies converge on his vehicle. The film’s pacing mirrors a third‑person shooter, with Bryan commenting that his situation feels like playing a video game—a nod to Cregger’s own gaming background.
Supporting performances add both levity and grit. Paul Walter Hauser appears as Carl, a quirky passenger who provides comic relief, while Kali Reis delivers a fierce, John‑Wick‑style female action hero, handling firearms with precision. The ensemble’s chemistry helps balance the relentless horror with moments of humor.
Visuals, Effects, and Homages
The snowy setting creates a stark contrast for the vivid red blood that dominates the film’s palette. Cregger’s direction includes several jump‑scares, such as a sudden appearance of a woman on the road and a terrifying dog‑scene that evokes John Carpenter’s The Thing. Fans of classic sci‑fi will also recognize nods to Invasion of the Body Snatchers and a monstrous, acid‑spitting creature reminiscent of Bill Paxton’s infamous creation in Weird Science.
Score and Atmosphere
Composers Hays Holladay and Ryan Holladay provide a dark, metallic synth soundtrack that amplifies the dread‑filled atmosphere. Their work builds on the sonic style they established in Cregger’s earlier collaboration, Weapons, and stands out as one of the year’s most compelling horror scores.
Climactic Finale
The film culminates in a boss‑battle‑style showdown as Bryan ascends the ruined hospital, each floor presenting a new level of danger. The final sequence, featuring a dramatic shot of Bryan confronting the ultimate threat, is poised to become an iconic moment in modern horror cinema.
Overall, Resident Evil delivers a satisfying blend of video‑game homage, visceral action, and classic horror set pieces. While the plot follows familiar territory, the strong performances, striking visuals, and effective score make it a noteworthy addition to the franchise. The movie has earned a solid four‑star rating and is now playing in theaters nationwide.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
