The terrifying world of Resident Evil is returning to the big screen with a new film directed by Zach Cregger, and the latest footage offers a brutal glimpse at what audiences can expect. A new clip featuring Austin Abrams running through Raccoon City showcases the film's intense survival-horror approach, with the protagonist caught in a city overwhelmed by infected creatures.
Rather than simply recreating an earlier movie, Cregger is taking the franchise back toward the survival-horror experience that made the games so popular. The film is set during the events of Resident Evil 2 and follows a new protagonist as he attempts to survive the outbreak.
Austin Abrams Faces A Terrifying Raccoon City
Austin Abrams stars as Bryan, a medical courier who finds himself trapped in Raccoon City during the zombie outbreak. His seemingly routine delivery quickly turns into a fight for survival as the city descends into chaos. The new footage puts Bryan directly in the middle of the horror. He can be seen desperately running through the city as exploding bodies and infected creatures turn his journey into a nightmare.
The sequence highlights the physical danger surrounding Bryan while also establishing the frantic pace Cregger wants from his version of Resident Evil. Instead of presenting the protagonist as an unstoppable action hero, the movie appears to place him in situations where survival itself is the biggest challenge.
Zach Cregger Wants To Capture The Games' Survival Horror
Cregger has approached the movie as a fan of the Resident Evil games, with the goal of bringing elements of the gaming experience directly into the film. His version is designed to make audiences feel the pressure of limited resources and constant danger.
One important element is resource management. Cregger has said viewers will be aware of how many bullets Bryan has left and will care when he misses a shot. The director also wants audiences to remain aware of Bryan's health as his journey progresses. That approach could make the film feel closer to actually playing a Resident Evil game, where every bullet, weapon and moment of health can become crucial during a dangerous encounter.
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The New Film Takes A Different Route
While the film is set during the events of Resident Evil 2, it does not directly adapt the game's story or centre on Leon Kennedy. Instead, Cregger has created a new protagonist in Bryan and tells a parallel story unfolding during the Raccoon City outbreak. The director has acknowledged that some fans may be disappointed by the absence of familiar characters such as Leon, Ada Wong and Jill Valentine.
However, his intention is to tell a fresh story that still feels deeply connected to the world of the games. Cregger has also drawn inspiration from other entries in the franchise, including Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7, while maintaining his own vision for the movie.
Resident Evil Promises A Brutal Big-Screen Experience
The new footage suggests that Cregger is leaning heavily into the horror and physical danger of Raccoon City. With Bryan forced to navigate an outbreak while dealing with limited resources, the film could deliver a more grounded survival experience than audiences might expect from a traditional action-heavy video game adaptation.
The movie is scheduled to release in theatres on September 18, 2026. With Austin Abrams leading the story and Cregger bringing his own love for the games to the project, Resident Evil is shaping up as a fresh cinematic take on the iconic survival-horror franchise.
Final Take
Zach Cregger's Resident Evil appears determined to put survival horror at the centre of the big-screen experience. Austin Abrams' Bryan faces a terrifying journey through Raccoon City, while the director's focus on ammunition, health and resource management aims to recreate the tension of the games. With its September 18 release approaching, the new film could offer fans a darker and more immersive take on the franchise.
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