Resident Evil is the best videogame movie because Bryan sucks
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil has achieved widespread critical acclaim as the highest-reviewed video game movie adaptation of all time. The horror-comedy film represents a significant milestone for a genre historically plagued by poor adaptations.
Cregger’s approach diverges notably from typical video game film adaptations. Rather than faithfully recreating game storylines or featuring iconic game characters, the film tells an entirely original story set within the Resident Evil universe, featuring a new protagonist named Bryan, played by Austin Abrams. Bryan’s character drives much of the film’s comedy through his incompetence and poor decision-making when confronted with threats. In one memorable scene, Bryan encounters an out-of-order elevator in a hospital basement and, rather than using a nearby open staircase, simply gives up—removing his shirt and sitting down to cry on the concrete floor.
This unconventional approach has created a divide in audience reception. While critics have embraced the fresh tone and original storytelling, some Resident Evil game fans have expressed disappointment with the absence of familiar characters from the franchise. Many fans had hoped to see established game protagonists like Jill Valentine appear on screen, and note the film’s lack of recognizable character cameos.
Resident Evil suggests that original storytelling within established franchises, rather than direct game-to-screen recreations, may be the formula for successful video game cinema. The film’s critical success indicates that video game movies can thrive as standalone works while maintaining thematic connections to their source material.