Resident Evil Movie Review: Capturing the Joy of Cack-Handed
A review of Zach Cregger's new Resident Evil film argues it is the best video game adaptation of the act of playing a game, praising its portrayal of a
Zach Cregger's new Resident Evil movie is the best video game adaptation of the act of playing a video game, according to a review by Eurogamer. The film stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier caught in Raccoon City's T-virus outbreak.
Unlike other adaptations that focus on power fantasy, this film captures the relatable, messy reality of playing a horror game. The reviewer states it perfectly portrays the "joy of video game cack-handedness," including laughable errors, misplaced confidence, and the can-do spirit that just about gets players through. Bryan, the everyman protagonist, embodies this as he fumbles and swears his way through the crisis.
A Structure That Feels Like Play
The movie's structure mirrors a video game's progression. After an initial quest is set, the plot-light, action-heavy adventure unfolds more or less in real-time. It bounces from enemy encounters to set-pieces to boss fights. Bryan even engages in classic game activities like rifling through drawers for ammo. This design creates a direct, immersive link to the gaming experience the film seeks to emulate.
Throughout, Bryan monologues with a continuous stream of expletives and fear-racked gargles. The reviewer, having recently played Silent Hill: Townfall, found this vocal representation wonderfully accurate. In the wrong hands, this metatextual approach could fail, but Cregger's proven horror and comedy skills from films like Barbarian make him the right fit for Resident Evil's campy tone.
Balancing Horror and Comedy
The film swings wildly between genuine scares and slapstick ludicrousness. While leaning harder into gross-out comedy than pure horror, it finds a rhythm where each element amplifies the other. The review compares its tonal management to Sam Raimi's work, specifically praising Drag Me to Hell. This balance creates moments that leave the viewer caught between an incredulous laugh and a strangled gasp.
Despite a flimsy plot and the absence of series staples like Leon and Claire, the film is propelled by Abrams' likeable performance, silly running gags, and a succession of stellar set-pieces. The reviewer highlights several treats, including roly-poly creatures, a supremely silly car sequence, a terrible elevator ride, and a breathlessly orchestrated zombie rainstorm. The film also features brilliantly gloopy body horror monstrosities, mostly new creations that feel perfectly Resident Evil.
Cregger's Resident Evil might not suit every fan due to its abundant silliness and slender narrative. However, the reviewer concludes it is easily the best adaptation of the gaming experience they have seen. By sticking to the periphery of the Resident Evil world with daft subversiveness, the film captures the spirit of its source material better than most game-to-movie adaptations. As Bryan exclaims in a rare moment of triumph, "Video gaaaaaaaames!"
