The first teaser trailer for the upcoming Resident Evil film has been released, offering an initial glimpse at director Zach Cregger’s take on the long-running horror franchise. Alongside the footage, new details have emerged through a Q and A in which Cregger discusses his approach to adapting the series and what fans can expect from the film.
Rather than retelling a familiar storyline from the games, Cregger is opting for an original narrative set within the same universe. The film takes place around the events of Resident Evil 2, but follows a new character navigating the chaos in Raccoon City. According to the director, this decision was made to avoid directly competing with the games’ established stories, instead focusing on capturing the tone and structure that define the series.
A key inspiration for the film comes from the gameplay loop of the series itself. Cregger emphasized the importance of progression, where characters move through different locations while facing escalating threats. He also highlighted classic survival horror elements such as limited resources, careful decision making, and gradual weapon upgrades as central components he wanted to translate into a cinematic format .
The protagonist, played by Austin Abrams, is described as an ordinary individual rather than a trained fighter. This design choice reflects the perspective of a typical player, placing the character in a situation where survival is uncertain, and every encounter carries weight. The film will follow his journey as he moves through a constantly changing environment filled with new dangers, echoing the structure of the games.
Cregger also confirmed that fans can expect a number of references to the games, including visual details and familiar mechanics such as healing items and weapon progression. While these elements are included as nods to longtime players, the film remains focused on telling a standalone story within the Resident Evil universe.
The director cited early experiences with Resident Evil titles, particularly Resident Evil 2, as a major influence on his vision. He pointed to the tension created by resource management and deliberate pacing as defining traits of the series, elements he aims to preserve in the film adaptation.
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil movie is scheduled to release in theaters on September 18.
