Zach Cregger has built a strong reputation in horror after Barbarian and Weapons, and his latest project takes him into one of gaming’s most recognizable franchises. With Resident Evil, the filmmaker is attempting to give the property a fresh cinematic identity rather than directly adapting one of the games.
The new film arrives after years of Resident Evil movies and takes a different route with its story and characters. Cregger has described the project as the kind of Resident Evil movie he would personally want to watch, while maintaining the survival-horror experience that attracted him to the games.
Zach Cregger Wanted A Different Kind Of Resident Evil
Cregger’s Resident Evil is not a direct adaptation of one particular game. Instead, it introduces a new protagonist, Bryan, played by Austin Abrams. Bryan is a medical courier who becomes caught in a terrifying outbreak and is forced into a fight for survival.
That decision reflects Cregger’s interest in recreating the feeling of actually playing Resident Evil. Rather than centering the film around established franchise heroes, he wanted an ordinary character who is vulnerable, inexperienced and forced to react to increasingly dangerous situations.
The filmmaker has also acknowledged that Resident Evil has attracted different types of fans. Some are especially invested in the franchise’s characters and mythology, while others are more interested in the atmosphere and survival-horror experience of the games. His film focuses primarily on the latter.
Why The Director Is Moving Away From Comedy
Cregger’s career began in sketch comedy, but his filmmaking work has increasingly moved toward horror. Barbarian and Weapons helped establish him in the genre, and Resident Evil continues that direction. Interestingly, the director says the new film originally contained more comedy. During test screenings, audiences felt the movie was too funny, prompting Cregger to remove much of the humor. He later said that the change improved the audience response as well as his own reaction to the film.
That experience appears to have influenced how Cregger views his future as a filmmaker. While comedy remains part of his background, his recent work has made horror the dominant part of his creative identity. The filmmaker has expressed doubt about whether he will return to making straight comedy projects.
Also Read: Susanne Bier Reveals Why She Said Yes To Practical Magic 2
Resident Evil Marks Another Major Step For Cregger
The new Resident Evil represents a significant change in scale for Cregger. After creating original horror stories, he is now working with an established global franchise while still trying to maintain his own filmmaking voice. The film stars Austin Abrams alongside Zach Cherry, Kali Reis and Paul Walter Hauser.
Cregger co-wrote the screenplay with Shay Hatten and directs the project, which Sony and Constantin Film have positioned as a fresh take on the franchise. Rather than relying heavily on familiar legacy characters, the film follows Bryan through a chaotic outbreak in Raccoon City. This allows Cregger to build the story around suspense, fear and the character’s struggle to survive.
What Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil Means For His Future
Cregger’s comments suggest that his creative journey is moving further away from the sketch-comedy world where he began. His recent films have allowed him to explore horror while still leaving room for dark humor and unexpected tonal shifts. Resident Evil also gives him an opportunity to bring that approach to a franchise with an established fan base.
The challenge has been finding a balance between honoring what makes the games frightening and creating something that works as a standalone film. The movie is scheduled to reach theaters on September 18, 2026. As Cregger continues building his identity as a horror filmmaker, his uncertainty about returning to comedy suggests that audiences may see considerably more genre work from him in the future.
Final Take
Zach Cregger’s transition from sketch comedy to horror has now taken him to Resident Evil, where he is using an original story to recreate the survival-horror experience he associates with the games. His decision to reduce the comedy after test screenings also reflects how strongly he is leaning into horror, making his future return to traditional comedy an open question.
Also Read: Heart Of The Beast: Brad Pitt Shares Why Dogs Make Us Feel Less Alone