Zach Cregger, the filmmaker behind the 2022 horror hit Barbarian and its critically acclaimed 2025 follow-up Weapons, is making a notable departure with his latest project by directing a new installment in the Resident Evil franchise. Known for his original and genre-subverting approach to horror, Cregger takes on the well-established zombie series with an intention to deliver a fresh narrative, emphasizing story over franchise expectations.
Resident Evil, which originated as a 1996 Japanese survival horror video game, has evolved into a lucrative multimedia property. The franchise’s cinematic adaptations, beginning in 2002, have collectively approached $1.2 billion in box office revenues worldwide. Despite their commercial success, these films have largely received mixed to negative critical reviews, with the highest-rated entry on Rotten Tomatoes holding a 39% approval rating.
Cregger, who has not previously watched any of the seven Resident Evil films, described his new project as an original movie conceived explicitly as part of the franchise. Speaking via video call, he addressed fan skepticism about his choice to work within established intellectual property, insisting that the core focus remains on crafting a compelling story rather than merely leveraging the brand for budgetary advantages.
The film centers on Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, tasked with transporting a transplant organ from a hospital in the flatlands to another in the mountainous region near Raccoon City, Colorado. Unbeknownst to Bryan, a zombie outbreak is unfolding, forcing him to navigate a sequence of environments—from snowy roads to abandoned farmhouses and underground tunnels—mirroring the game’s progressive exploration format. To emulate the video game experience, Cregger employed over-the-shoulder camera techniques characteristic of third-person shooter games and focused on portraying Bryan’s survival instincts authentically, including his frequent use of profanity as an internal monologue.
Filming took place in rural Czechia under challenging conditions, with Cregger enduring illness during production. The director’s personal connection to Bryan is notable, as he identifies the character as an extension of his own personality and anxieties. This grounding in realism aims to offer a more relatable protagonist, diverging from horror stereotypes toward a figure emblematic of an everyday player confronting extraordinary circumstances.
Cregger’s background includes a diverse creative trajectory—from punk music to comedy, including his involvement with the troupe The Whitest Kids U’Know and acting roles in television comedies. He credits his experience in comedy for honing the ability to innovate and surprise audiences, a skill he sees as closely related to effective horror storytelling.
The filmmaker also acknowledges classic and non-digital influences in his work, distancing himself from the online-centered horror creators emerging today. His previous films tackled contemporary social issues such as sexual assault and school shootings with nuance and unpredictability. While his next project is said to be a science-fiction film titled The Flood, Cregger’s move to the Resident Evil franchise signals a willingness to blend his distinct narrative voice with established genre material.
As Cregger prepares to release the latest Resident Evil installment, anticipation and debate continue among fans and critics about how the film will balance franchise expectations with his auteur-driven approach, and whether it will successfully redefine the series for both longtime devotees and newcomers.