Rating: 4.5/5
“Resident Evil,” directed by Zach Cregger, effectively spooks audiences with the survival horror that’s ubiquitous to the video game franchise while also telling an interesting original story. The movie follows Bryan Hodukavich, played by Austin Abrams, who encounters a zombie outbreak when he finds himself in a place that longtime “Resident Evil” fans know spells danger—Raccoon City.
It was announced that the film would be an original story with new characters and only kept a few aspects from the games. While I was open to the introduction of new characters, I was worried that the film would sideline the defining parts of “Resident Evil” in favor of these characters.
After watching the movie, I can happily say that it has gone beyond my expectations. The movie kept me engaged and wondering what will happen next. While there are no characters from the video games, the film’s original characters are very entertaining and there are things that fans can enjoy, such as the setting being Raccoon City and the presence of Umbrella Corporation, an antagonistic faction from the games.
For one, Bryan is a great protagonist. Before the movie dives into the horror, we learn that Bryan is a medical courier who’s in Raccoon City to make a high-paying delivery, unaware of the city’s dangers. He also doesn’t have much experience with combat and has to quickly learn how to use guns to survive the zombie outbreak, which results in him making a few mistakes, such as having poor aim. In fact, there are many moments where he acts so pathetic and reckless that it is hilarious. However, the movie also displays Bryan’s good traits, such as how he attempts to help others even though they’re infected. Overall, Bryan is a likeable, sympathetic protagonist that makes you want to root for him to survive.
Another aspect of the movie that is well-done is how it scares the audience. Rather than just spamming jumpscares, the film strategically spaces them out to keep the audience in suspense. This puts the audience in Bryan’s shoes, or his “jays” as Bryan himself puts it, as he’s forced to remain cautious while navigating an unfamiliar area infested with zombies.
The zombies here have inhuman physical traits like tentacles and multiple limbs and can merge with other zombies to create a cluster—and it enhances the movie’s horror. The zombies are scary because the audience is made to look at how grotesque they appear and their aggressive behavior, making the film’s antagonists terrifying. Fans of the “Resident Evil” games are in for a treat too, as zombie dogs, a recurring enemy in the games, appear in the film.
“Resident Evil” is an amazing horror movie, and whether or not you’re familiar with the franchise, you should consider giving this film a watch. While the gorgeous characters from the games like Leon Kennedy and Ada Wong aren’t in the movie, the movie does have the adorable Bryan Hodukavich to make up for it.
