Don’t do this to me Zach Cregger, don’t get me excited for a Resident Evil movie—I can’t get hurt again

I’ve watched all the Resident Evil movies, but even worse, I kind of like them. I don’t think they’re particularly good movies, or even good ambassadors of the games, but they’re a fun watch, especially if you want to have a laugh with friends. I’d resigned myself to the fact that this is all Resident Evil movies would ever amount to: a kind of funny way to pass some time—I don’t think I’m ready for a genuinely good film take on Resident Evil horror.

In walks the trailer for Zach Cregger’s upcoming Resident Evil film.

I’ve been quietly excited to see what Cregger would come up with ever since I first heard he’d be directing this film. I’m fan of both Weapons and Barbarian for each’s left-field way of creating tension and how it captialises on that to create some really scary moments. With this in mind, Cregger seems like a really good fit for Resident Evil. But still I didn’t want to get my hopes up, I’ve been burnt too many times.

However, without getting too excited, the debut trailer for Resident Evil captures everything I’d want from a serious Resi film. The fact that this film is intentionally focusing on a civilian getting swept up in the outbreak is reassuring. Resident Evil’s action is fun as all hell in the games, but has always come off as way too cheesy in the films, it’s always hard to take it seriously.

But protagonists aside, the best part of this trailer had to be the zombies, because holy hell did they look horrifying. What the hell was that huge naked zombie in the sewers, and the limbs coming out of the dark hallway, chef’s kiss.

The different strains of the Progenitor virus and how it mutates and presents in different infected is what makes the games so interesting and horrifying. In Resident Evil Requiem the mutated strain of T-virus not only causes death, mutations, rage, and cannibalism, but it also retains the vague memories and habits of the infected. They complete tasks, use weapons, and are a particularly tormented and tragic bunch to encounter.

So I’m very happy to see how the zombies in this trailer look like more than just dead hunks of flesh which act like background filler rather than the unnerving and terrifying threats that they are. Oh god—I think I’m getting seriously hyped up for a Resident Evil movie in the grand old year of 2026.

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