Zach Cregger Acknowledges Criticism of His Resident Evil Film: “I Made Creative Choices to Share My Vision”
Zach Cregger, the mind behind Weapons and Barbarian, is also directing the upcoming Resident Evil film. Set during the Raccoon City outbreak from Resident Evil 2, the movie has sparked some debate among fans due to noticeable inconsistencies. Many are already frustrated that it seems to lack iconic Resident Evil characters, and any deviation from the source material raises concerns that the film is merely capitalizing on Capcom’s horror franchise. While Cregger appears to have a solid grasp of the series’ essence, he has admitted that some of these inconsistencies stem from his creative choices.
During a panel at San Diego Comic Con, Cregger shared insights about his Resident Evil film and its inspirations from the games. One standout aspect he highlighted is the film’s camera work, which draws from the third-person perspective typical of Resident Evil games. He noted that certain shots are designed to mimic the intimate movements of a video game camera.
Cregger explained that much of the film is shot in a unique third-person style to evoke the feel of the games. “When Austin looks right, our camera operator swings to look right… it felt like the camera was being psychically controlled by Austin.”
He also addressed some continuity issues in the film. For instance, Austin, the protagonist fighting for survival at the onset of the Raccoon City outbreak, uses a smartphone, even though Resident Evil 2 is set in the ‘90s. Additionally, the film features snow, which is absent from the game. While these details may seem minor, they contribute to a growing skepticism among fans, especially as Hollywood increasingly turns to video games for inspiration. The fear is that a Resident Evil movie might not honor the original material and could simply be leveraging the brand for recognition. Given the history of video game adaptations that have poorly handled their source material, any hint of insincerity raises eyebrows. Cregger’s response to these critiques is worth noting.
“I took liberties to tell a story that I wanted to tell and make the movie look the way I wanted it to look… I think it looks really cool to see a horror movie in the snow,” he stated. He clarified, “It takes place in the snow and in 2026. That’s why he has an iPhone. I’m not doing a one-for-one Resident Evil 2 adaptation. There are differences between this movie and the game, and I don’t think it makes the movie any worse. I think it looks really cool to have a horror movie set in the snow. If the barrier of entry is whether I do a one-for-one port, then I guess I have failed. But I think the movie is stronger for it.”
I can appreciate Cregger’s perspective. Not every adaptation needs to mirror the original source material exactly, and sometimes, a fresh take can be beneficial. For example, in HBO’s The Last of Us, sticking too closely to the original story highlighted its shortcomings and led to a less compelling narrative. However, Cregger seems to be struggling with the messaging around this film, leading to mixed expectations. Initially, he indicated that Resident Evil would unfold “alongside the events of Resident Evil 2,” suggesting a ‘90s setting, but it now appears the timeline has shifted to a more contemporary backdrop.
Ultimately, these details may not impact the film’s quality, especially if it feels distinct from the broader Resident Evil universe. In an age where fans scrutinize every new installment for its place within established timelines, a film that embraces a more standalone vibe can be refreshing—if it’s marketed that way from the start. However, when there’s an attempt to link it to existing lore, fans are likely to dissect every detail, particularly given the concern that Hollywood is mining video games for hits without genuine respect for the original works. I don’t doubt Cregger’s passion for Resident Evil; it’s just possible that the film has started off on shaky ground. If the movie lives up to the quality of his previous projects, those concerns may fade away. We’ll find out when it hits theaters on September 18.
