Zach Cregger Directed New Resident Evil Film
The director drew structural inspiration from the war film 1917 for his latest horror release.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Horror
Live Poll
Do you believe learning about a film's creative inspirations makes you more likely to watch it?
Director Zach Cregger has brought the video game franchise to the big screen with his new film, Resident Evil. The movie, which features a screenplay co-written by Shay Hatten, is currently playing in theaters.
Why it matters
The project represents a significant shift in tone for the survival horror series by utilizing a specific cinematic structure to heighten tension. This stylistic approach aims to replicate the immersive, continuous pacing popularized by recent award-winning war dramas.
The film 1917 earned 10 nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards, ultimately securing victories in Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects.
The players
Zach Cregger
He is the director of the new Resident Evil film who previously gained recognition for his work in horror filmmaking.
Shay Hatten
He served as the co-writer for the screenplay of the new Resident Evil film.
The details
The plot follows a medical courier tasked with delivering a package into Raccoon City as a deadly lab-created virus begins to spread. Cregger noted that the structural design of the film was heavily influenced by the 2019 movie 1917.
Timeline
The film 1917 was released in 2019.
The new Resident Evil film is currently in theaters as of September 22, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The production follows a trend where genre filmmakers adopt the immersive, long-take cinematography techniques celebrated at the 92nd Academy Awards to differentiate modern horror. This shift moves the franchise away from traditional jump-scare tropes toward a more visceral, continuous narrative style seen in films like 1917.
The film is currently available for viewing in cinemas nationwide. Prospective viewers should check their local theater listings to confirm showtimes and availability.
The takeaway
Cregger intends for this adaptation to challenge audience expectations of the survival horror genre by prioritizing a relentless, single-perspective flow. The film serves as a case study in how war-time cinematic language can be repurposed to heighten the claustrophobic dread of a virus outbreak.
Further reading
For more on the latest scary releases, visit the Horror section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gamesradar.
Live Poll
Do you believe learning about a film's creative inspirations makes you more likely to watch it?
