As Halloween approaches and fans scramble to find a costume that stands out from the usual crowd, a surprisingly accessible option has emerged from the world of the new Resident Evil film: Bryan, the in-over-his-head courier brought to life by Austin Abrams. According to a detailed breakdown from Resident Evil News, pulling off the Raccoon City look is remarkably straightforward, thanks to a costume design that director Zach Cregger and costume designer Caroline Fahrer deliberately grounded in the real world. The result is an outfit that keeps you warm on a chilly October night while looking like it could survive a few bites from anyone unlucky enough to have caught the T-Virus.
The key to Bryan’s worn-down appearance lies in the specific brand-name pieces the production settled on, combined with a bit of hands-on distressing. Rather than relying on elaborate prop-making, the costume leans on everyday clothing that most people can source or already own, then modify to match the film’s grimy, post-apocalyptic tone.
The Complete Bryan Costume Checklist
According to the guide, Bryan’s main wardrobe consists of RVCA fatigue pants, a deep yellow plaid shirt layered under a grey hoodie from New Yorker, and Nike Jordan Spizke low sneakers that require some customization to match the on-screen look. The courier’s signature medical bag rounds out the ensemble, though the guide offers a clever alternative for those who cannot source an authentic prop. As detailed by Resident Evil News, if your local hospital is unwilling to part with a genuine medical kit, the official popcorn bag should do the trick for recreating the prop.
But the devil is in the details. To truly sell the idea that Bryan has been through hell and back, fans will need to put in some work distressing the outfit. The guide points to specific touches from the film, noting that the thumbs on Bryan’s gloves were cut off and replaced with stitches, and that the pants can be scuffed down using sandpaper to achieve the same weathered, battle-worn finish seen on screen.
The costume designer Caroline Fahrer and director Zach Cregger settled on an outfit that’s grounded in the real world, will keep you warm on a chilly night, and can probably handle a few bites from any citizens who have come down with a bad case of the T-Virus.
Resident Evil News costume breakdown
A generous application of fake blood will seal the deal, and the guide offers a simple recipe for achieving the right consistency. A bucket of the concoction can be made with corn syrup and food coloring to nail the viscosity, though there is a word of caution: it can be very sticky once applied. For the full effect, fans are encouraged to dribble the mixture onto their costume and get some friends to chuck massive water balloons at them as they sprint down a deserted street, a stunt that should have them ready to win a few Halloween contests.
A Box Office Success That Reenergized the Franchise
The costume guide arrives at a convenient time, as the new Resident Evil film continues to perform strongly at the box office. After just two weeks in theaters, the movie has scared up some impressive numbers. The film kicked off its run by breaking the record for the biggest opening weekend in the franchise, and so far it has grossed more than $100 million at the North American box office, beating the record previously set by 2010’s Resident Evil: Afterlife, which earned $60 million.
Currently, the film sits as the fourth highest-grossing live-action Resident Evil movie of all time, and it is steadily closing the gap on 2016’s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, which earned $312 million and currently holds the series record. As the film climbs the franchise’s box office rankings, its cultural footprint appears to be expanding well beyond the theater.
Interestingly, the film’s impact on game sales has been more modest than one might expect. Despite the theatrical buzz, the movie has only had a “moderate” effect on Resident Evil game sales, though it did reenergized the existing fanbase and boosted engagement for the franchise throughout September, suggesting the film’s influence is more about revitalizing enthusiasm than driving a surge in new players.
Looking Ahead
With Halloween just around the corner, the Bryan costume offers a low-effort, high-impact option for fans of the franchise who want to celebrate the holiday without spending hours on prop-making. As the film continues its impressive box office run and the franchise’s fanbase remains energized, expect more costume inspiration and franchise content to emerge in the coming weeks. Whether you’re aiming to win a Halloween contest or simply pay homage to one of the series’ most memorable live-action characters, the recipe is simple: grab the right pieces, add some sandpaper and fake blood, and get ready to run.
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