A new trailer has arrived for the latest Resident Evil film, showcasing a surprisingly high-quality production that leans heavily into serious horror. This shift toward a sombre tone may catch some fans off guard, particularly those accustomed to the campy style of the previous Paul W.S. Anderson entries. The project is helmed by director Zach Cregger, who is fresh off his success with the Oscar-winning film Weapons.
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The teaser introduces an unassuming medical courier fighting for survival within a rural farmhouse, a premise that appears partially inspired by the atmosphere of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Despite its familiar roots, the movie tells a standalone story within the Resident Evil universe rather than directly adapting the plot of a specific game. In an interview with the PlayStation Blog, Cregger explained that he felt retelling a known narrative, such as Leon S. Kennedy’s story, would be redundant and ultimately disappointing for the audience.
While the story is new, Cregger has promised plenty of Easter eggs and mechanical nods for longtime franchise enthusiasts. The protagonist will be forced to engage in resource management, utilizing healing items taken directly from Resident Evil 4. The director also hinted at various visual and thematic details hidden throughout the film, though he refrained from sharing specifics to avoid spoilers.
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The trailer does provide a glimpse of at least one antagonist: a Fat Molded lurking in the farmhouse basement. This suggests the courier will need to be well-versed in tactical survival staples like headshots and dodging acid vomit. The film stars Austin Abrams, who reunites with Cregger after appearing in Weapons, and features a cast that includes Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Kali Reis. Although these other cast members do not appear in the initial footage, the teaser establishes a focused “one guy trying to survive” vibe reminiscent of Evil Dead. Resident Evil is scheduled to hit theatres on September 18.
