Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Unveils New Clip Ahead of September 18 Release Date

Video game adaptations have had a tumultuous journey at the box office, yet a few filmmakers have demonstrated that the format can succeed when paired with the right creative vision. Zach Cregger, following the critical and commercial triumph of ‘Weapons,’ is now putting that theory to the test with one of gaming’s most iconic horror franchises.

Cregger has spent much of this year generating excitement for his interpretation of ‘Resident Evil,’ showcasing footage at CinemaCon, revealing a full trailer at San Diego Comic-Con, and gradually rolling out new glimpses of the film in the weeks leading up to its release. With the movie’s theatrical debut just weeks away, that promotional effort has entered its final phase.

A newly released clip from the film has surfaced online, offering fans another look at star Austin Abrams as he navigates the chaos of Cregger’s reimagined Raccoon City. This footage comes as ‘Resident Evil’ counts down to its theatrical premiere on September 18.

Cregger’s version of ‘Resident Evil’ unfolds during the alternate events of 1998’s ‘Resident Evil 2.’ Instead of adapting the game’s existing narrative directly, the film follows a completely new protagonist navigating similar territory. Abrams stars as Bryan, a medical courier heading toward Raccoon City General Hospital, who unwittingly finds himself in a relentless fight for survival as a terrifying outbreak engulfs the city.

Cregger has openly shared his personal connection to the source material, stating that he has played “a ton of Resident Evil” over the years and was particularly drawn to how naturally cinematic the games felt, according to Gold Derby. That authenticity is evident in the film’s pacing and tension, with Cregger aiming to replicate the game’s escalating weapon progression, tracking bullet counts, and the constant sense of vulnerability that characterizes the franchise’s gameplay loop.

Joining Abrams in the cast are Zach Cherry and Kali Reis as fellow Umbrella scientists, with Paul Walter Hauser and Johnno Wilson rounding out the ensemble navigating the film’s single, chaotic night.

Among the film’s most discussed moments is a practical stunt sequence featuring Abrams running through a street lined with collapsing bodies and detonating explosions. Cregger has noted that the timing had to be precise to avoid potential disaster. He described the scene, where Abrams runs while zombies leap from rooftops on either side, with the team opting for an elaborate practical effects setup instead of relying on visual effects, as reported by Deadline.

This commitment to practical filmmaking reflects Cregger’s broader approach to horror, building on the tension-driven style that made both ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Weapons’ stand out among recent genre releases. With ‘Weapons’ having earned Amy Madigan an Oscar win, expectations for Cregger’s ability to enhance genre material remain high as this latest project approaches.

This marks the third major attempt to bring ‘Resident Evil’ to the big screen, following the six-film series directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich, which grossed over $1.2 billion globally, and the more recent reboot attempt, ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.’ Produced on an $80 million budget through Columbia Pictures, Constantin Film, and TriStar Pictures, Cregger’s version aims to capture a tone closer to the survival-horror roots of the original games.

As the film’s September 18 release date approaches, the steady stream of new clips and trailers indicates that Sony is confident in the excitement surrounding Cregger’s interpretation of the franchise.

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