Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil Movie Trailer is Bleak, Lonely, & Horrifying

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The Resident Evil series has been adapted into movies many times. The first Resident Evil film in 2002 was very popular and led to five more sequels. While the series tried a fresh start with Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City in 2022, plans for continuing that specific storyline were dropped in favor of a different approach for the franchise.

Following the popularity of his films Barbarian (2022) and Weapons (2025), Zach Cregger is quickly becoming a favorite horror director. His upcoming Resident Evil movie is expected to be full of surprises and deliver the zombie-filled action fans love. The first trailer introduces Bryan (played by Austin Abrams) as he struggles to survive a zombie outbreak. Cregger seems to be taking the franchise in a fresh direction with a new main character and a standalone story, while still paying respect to the existing Resident Evil lore.

Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil (2026) Teaser Trailer Isolates Its Hero

The first look at the new Resident Evil movie (coming in 2026) starts with the protagonist, Bryan, needing help with his car and going to a farmhouse. As soon as he steps inside the deserted house, a sense of dread builds. He tries calling for help, but can’t get a signal, immediately hinting that something terrible is happening. He then calls his girlfriend, leaving a voicemail suggesting he fears the worst.

The trailer starts with suspense, holding off on showing actual zombies for over a minute. Instead, it focuses on Bryan fleeing something unseen, followed by a glimpse of a monster dragging a body out of view. The latter half of the trailer ramps up the horror, with Bryan running through a city as bodies fall from above onto vehicles. This gradual build-up of tension captures the unsettling atmosphere of the Resident Evil games and hints at more unexpected scares to come.

Zach Cregger Promises to Stay True to Resident Evil’s Heart While Following His Own Story

As a huge Resident Evil fan, I was really excited by the teaser trailer, and it seems like the director, Chris Cregger, is totally getting what makes this franchise special. He actually told Playstation.blog that he’s always been drawn to the scary, survival horror parts of the games – that feeling of being truly vulnerable and having to carefully manage your limited resources. He’s trying to bring that same intense stress to the movie! Apparently, the film is set in the world of the original Resident Evil 2, which is how he first fell in love with the series. But don’t worry, it’s not just going to be a retelling of Leon’s story; it’s going to forge its own path with a brand new hero, even though there will be plenty of fun easter eggs for longtime fans like me to spot.

I don’t think telling Leon’s story would work well, because the games already cover it so thoroughly. It would feel unnecessary and probably wouldn’t live up to expectations.

Unlike previous installments, Resident Evil (2026) centers around Bryan, a character designed to be an everyday person experiencing the terrifying events of the Resident Evil universe, allowing the audience to see the horrors through his eyes.

Zach Cregger, known for films like Barbarian and Weapons, excels at developing compelling characters and connecting their stories. His upcoming Resident Evil movie (2026) will be different, though, focusing on a single character’s journey. However, given his previous work, audiences can still anticipate a plot full of surprises as the protagonist, Bryan, deals with the fallout from the Umbrella Corporation’s experiments and the T-Virus outbreak.

Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil (2026) will premiere in theaters on September 18, 2026.

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2026-04-30 19:07