Everything We Know About Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil Movie

Zach Cregger, now celebrated as a trailblazing force in modern horror cinema, has been selected to helm the forthcoming Resident Evil feature, which is slated for a theatrical release next month. Building on his work in Weapons and Barbarian, the director has earned the trust of the horror community, though some fans of the franchise have voiced concerns about his take on Capcom’s beloved series.

The film will star Austin Abrams—best known for his role in Weapons—as Bryan, a medical courier on a mission to deliver organs to Raccoon City, the infamous setting of Resident Evil 2. In the trailer, Bryan is on a snowy road, arguing with his girlfriend over the phone, when he accidentally collides with a woman who appears to have been dead before the impact. Seeking help and a functioning phone, he ventures into a seemingly abandoned house, only to confront the undead. How much of the story unfolds within that house, or what other twists await, remains unknown.

According to Cregger, the film will feature none of the franchise’s traditional characters, and he has no intention of retreading the events of Resident Evil 2. He believes that revisiting the game’s narrative would be redundant and ultimately disappointing.

In an interview earlier this month, Cregger explained that his goal is to craft a narrative that fits within the Resident Evil universe without duplicating the stories already told by the games.

He added that retelling Leon’s journey would feel like a missed opportunity, given the games’ outstanding execution, and that such an approach would lack the originality needed to satisfy audiences.

With the realization that the Resident Evil film features none of the original game’s protagonists, many fans have questioned its fidelity to the source material. In the movie, protagonist Bryan wields an iPhone, a stark anachronism given that the classic Raccoon City narrative unfolded in the 1990s. Moreover, the film’s wintry backdrop contrasts sharply with the game’s temperate outbreak setting. Director Cregger explains that the story is set in the contemporary era and that snowfall was a deliberate stylistic choice.

Cregger clarified that the film is set in 2026, explaining the presence of an iPhone as a narrative choice rather than a fidelity issue. He emphasized that the movie is not a literal retelling of Resident Evil 2; instead, it diverges in key ways that he believes enhance the experience. The snowy setting, he added, was chosen for its visual impact, and he feels that the film’s distinct aesthetic ultimately strengthens its appeal.

This divergence has muddied the marketing narrative, leaving long‑time fans uncertain about the film’s relationship to the beloved franchise.

When speaking with IGN in April, Cregger described his guiding principle: to craft a film that captures his personal gameplay experience while fitting seamlessly into the Resident Evil universe. He envisions the movie unfolding concurrently with Resident Evil 2’s events, suggesting that the police station’s turmoil is part of a broader, interconnected narrative where multiple characters pursue their own perilous quests across town.

Director Zach Cregger has set out to make the movie feel like a first‑hand plunge into the Resident Evil universe, stripping away the polished heroics of Leon Kennedy and instead presenting the horror through the eyes of an ordinary, untrained survivor.

“I envisioned a narrative where I’m dropped into a Resident Evil world,” he explains. “I’m not a gun‑slinging savant; I’d be clueless about firearms, missing the majority of my shots.”

Early footage of Bryan rummaging for bullets and supplies captures the gritty, survival‑oriented tone of classic Resident Evil titles, echoing Grace’s unseasoned escapades in Resident Evil Requiem. Both characters navigate danger with improvised gear, underscoring the film’s commitment to authenticity.

To further immerse audiences, Cregger has adopted a distinctive third‑person camera style that mirrors the perspective players experience in the games, giving the film a dynamic, gameplay‑like rhythm.

“A significant portion of the film is shot in this unique third‑person approach to faithfully emulate the video‑game experience,” he adds.

As Austin turns his head, the camera operator instinctively follows, creating the illusion that the lens is being guided by a psychic connection to the actor. This on‑set moment highlights the flawless coordination between performer and cinematographer, a testament to the crew’s meticulous choreography.

Early trailers seem to echo key moments from the script that has been circulating online. For those willing to risk spoilers, we’ve assembled a detailed breakdown of the scenes that confirm the leak’s authenticity, offering insight into how the film’s narrative aligns with the rumored storyline.

While Bryan’s character is portrayed as largely solitary, the cast roster broadens with notable talent. Former “Severance” star Zach Cherry, mixed‑martial‑arts star‑turned‑actor Kali Reis, “Black Bird” performer Paul Walter Hauser, and “Twisted Metal” actor Johnno Wilson will each portray members of Umbrella’s workforce. Details about the actors assigned to the infected adversaries remain undisclosed.