‘Resident Evil’ Finally Figures Out How to Adapt a Video Game

Zach Cregger's new Resident Evil film succeeds by adapting the gameplay experience of the video games rather than recreating their familiar stories, marking a departure from two decades of mostly unsuccessful live-action adaptations. The movie stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, an ordinary medical courier who wastes ammunition, makes poor decisions, and reacts with panic and frustration to the outbreak, closely mirroring the player's experience. Cregger designed each set piece as a new "level" with unique challenges, while Bryan's growing arsenal provides progression without ever making him an unstoppable action hero. The film includes familiar franchise elements like typewriters, herbs, and creatures, but uses them to support the gameplay-inspired structure rather than as Easter eggs. By focusing on the verbs of the games—search, conserve, unlock, run, shoot—the adaptation captures what players actually do, without needing established characters like Leon Kennedy.