Resident Evil Director Reacts To People Who Didn’t Like The Controversial Ending, Says It Was Almost Completely Different

Director Zach Cregger has defended the controversial ending of his newly released Resident Evil film against criticism from some viewers. The movie, which debuted on September 18, achieved strong box office performance and critical acclaim, becoming the highest-rated video game movie of all time.

The film follows medical courier Brian (played by Austin Abrams) attempting to survive a zombie outbreak. The ending sparked debate by revealing that Brian becomes an infected demon after being bitten by a child, establishing him as the origin story for a monster featured in the games. In the climactic sequence, Brian finds himself transforming while in an Umbrella Corporation laboratory, forced to eliminate scientists who stand in his way. Crucially, he maintains a tenuous connection to his humanity through his desire to inject himself with the cure he’s been transporting throughout the film—this emotional thread keeps audiences invested in his character rather than viewing him as a mindless killing machine.

Cregger revealed in interviews that the current ending was nearly a completely different conclusion. He described shooting the theatrical ending as “a contingency plan,” suggesting the original vision was significantly altered during production. The director stands by his decision, arguing that the revised ending ultimately strengthened the film.

Despite the polarizing conclusion, the movie’s overall critical reception remains extremely positive, with reviewers praising it as a breakthrough for a franchise historically plagued by poor adaptations.

Sources

• Resident Evil Director Reacts To People Who Didn’t Like The Controversial Ending, Says It Was Almost Completely Different
• ‘Thank God, I Shot This as a Contingency Plan’ — Zach Cregger Reveals Resident Evil Originally Had a Different Ending
• Zach Cregger Reveals How He Changed Resident Evil’s Ending for the Better