Zach Cregger Explains Why He Didn’t Want ‘Resident Evil’ to Feature Hot People
Zach Cregger has established himself by flipping traditional horror tropes on their heads, and his interpretation of ‘Resident Evil’ is no different. Instead of embracing the flashy, action-packed style that characterized the Milla Jovovich era, Cregger aimed to create a more authentic survival horror experience, where the threat feels real and the characters appear genuinely at risk.
This approach has proven successful, as the film debuted with a remarkable $60 million domestically, nearly matching the franchise’s record set by ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’ in 2010. It’s on track to become the highest-grossing ‘Resident Evil’ film in the US. Critics have responded positively as well, with the film holding an impressive 96 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from over 200 reviews, many praising its mix of tension, dread, and unexpected humor delivered by star Austin Abrams.
Cregger attributes part of this film’s uniqueness to a deliberate choice regarding the appearance of the cast. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, he candidly stated that he did not want conventionally attractive leads at the forefront of the story.
“I don’t want any hot people, no offense,” Cregger remarked. “This guy’s a smoke show. We frumped him up. I don’t want them to be sexy; I want them to be gritty and terrifying.”
This comment was reportedly directed at Abrams, who portrays Bryan, a medical courier whose delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital turns into a life-or-death struggle amid a viral outbreak. Cregger intentionally toned down the character’s appearance, opting for a rougher, more authentic look that aligns with a narrative focused on scarcity and vulnerability rather than firepower and one-liners.
Cregger’s vision aligns with his desire to evoke the feeling of playing a survival-horror game rather than watching a superhero-style action film. This philosophy starkly contrasts with the original film series, which heavily relied on Jovovich’s Alice as a stylish, nearly invincible action hero across six films.
The supporting cast of the new film reflects this grounded approach, with Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser portraying Umbrella Corporation scientists who find themselves just as vulnerable to the outbreak as anyone else. None are depicted as larger-than-life heroes, a choice that seems to embody Cregger’s intention of making his cast feel breakable.
Filmed in Prague and released in IMAX, the film’s concise 93-minute runtime has also garnered praise for maintaining tension without stretching it across a lengthy two-hour duration. Reviewers have highlighted that this pacing, combined with the cast’s intentionally unglamorous portrayal, is a significant reason why the reboot feels like a true reinvention rather than just another franchise rehash.
The first trailer for Zach Cregger’s ‘RESIDENT EVIL’ has been released.
In theaters on September 18. pic.twitter.com/eeVCAGzy6M
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 30, 2026
Fans have largely welcomed Cregger’s comments online, with clips of his quote amassing thousands of views and comments praising the departure from typical horror-movie casting norms. For a franchise that has spent nearly two decades prioritizing style over survival, audiences seem more than ready for this shift.
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