Chandler Riggs’ ‘Resident Evil’ Fan Film ‘Biohazard’ Surpasses Zach Cregger’s Movie on IMDb

voice film logo squareArthur S. Poe
RE7 Biohazard
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The live-action ‘Resident Evil’ franchise has faced challenges over the years. Historically, the series has been characterized by action-packed films that borrowed elements from the games but often missed the mark on capturing their inherent dread. This has led to ongoing debates among fans about what a true adaptation should entail. The current moment for ‘Resident Evil’ feels like a significant turning point.

Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ premiered on September 18, quickly becoming the franchise’s most successful installment. It opened with an impressive $60 million domestically and $108.3 million globally, accumulating a total of $361 million against a $75 million budget, making it the highest-grossing film in the series. Critics have responded positively, awarding it a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 296 reviews and a B+ from CinemaScore.

However, an unexpected contender has emerged. The fan film ‘Biohazard’, which runs approximately 19 minutes and adapts ‘Resident Evil 7’, has achieved an average IMDb user rating of 8.3 out of 10, the highest in the live-action series. Cregger’s film follows closely with a rating of 7.6, while the 2002 ‘Resident Evil’ sits at 6.6.

This ranking places a free fan project ahead of a major studio release in a franchise that has been around for decades. It’s important to note that user ratings for a newly released short can fluctuate as more votes come in. Nevertheless, this outcome is striking and has sparked considerable discussion among fans.

Created by Chandler Riggs, known for his role as Carl Grimes on ‘The Walking Dead’, ‘Biohazard’ features Riggs as Ethan Winters, with fellow ‘The Walking Dead’ alum Jason Douglas portraying Jack Baker, the head of the infected Baker family. Special effects equipment was provided by Greg Nicotero.

The short film recreates the intense garage confrontation between Ethan and Jack, with the dining room and hallway sets receiving acclaim for their authenticity to the game. Filmed with Tampa-based Spooky Feet Films and supported by Film Tampa Bay, the crew transformed a former cigar factory into the Baker estate. According to its YouTube description, the project utilized practical sets, stunts, and effects, with minimal visual effects and no AI involvement.

Released for free on YouTube on October 14, this non-commercial project has no official ties to the franchise’s owners.

What distinguishes ‘Biohazard’ is its fidelity to the source material. While Cregger’s film presents an original narrative about a medical courier in Raccoon City, ‘Biohazard’ closely follows the game’s plot, with many scenes directly mirroring their counterparts. The primary difference is that Ethan’s face is visible on screen, and the story is told from a third-person perspective, deviating from the game’s first-person view.

Riggs has expressed his desire to create a high-quality, true-to-the-game live-action adaptation. He was already in pre-production when news of Cregger’s film emerged, and his team hoped to release their project first before timing issues arose. Riggs acknowledges that no adaptation can satisfy everyone and respects Cregger’s creative direction.

Screenshot 2026 09 18 at 08 18 54 Resident Evil 2026 Rotten Tomatoes

Interestingly, Austin Abrams, who stars in Cregger’s film, played Ron Anderson on ‘The Walking Dead’, where his character shot Riggs’ Carl in the eye. Now, both actors have appeared in the two highest-rated live-action entries in the ‘Resident Evil’ franchise.

It’s important to note that the two projects are not in direct competition. Cregger’s film has already garnered acclaim from both critics and audiences, while the fan short is a heartfelt endeavor. Riggs has expressed interest in creating a feature-length version of ‘Resident Evil 7’ in the future and would be open to collaborating with Cregger if he returns to the series.

Currently, the 8.3 rating reflects a surge of enthusiasm. Fans have been eager for a faithful adaptation of the games, and ‘Biohazard’ offers a glimpse of that in under 20 minutes. Whether this leads to a feature-length project remains uncertain, but the attention it has received is certainly beneficial.

Meanwhile, Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ continues to perform well and has been recognized as one of the highest-rated horror films of the year.

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