Plenty of films successfully blend horror and comedy, but during test screenings for the new Resident Evil movie, writer/director Zach Cregger learned that he had leaned too hard into the funny and had to make some cuts. But it turns out that it was all for the best.
Resident Evil Test Screenings
“I learned that people really liked the movie, but they thought it was too funny,” Cregger told THR after being asked if he learned anything from test screenings. “So over the course of my testing, I stripped out as much of the jokes as possible. I then found that not only did the audience enjoy the movie more, but I also liked the movie a lot more. A little bit of humor goes a long way in a horror movie, and there’s not a single joke I took out of this movie that I miss.“
No More Franchises
After scoring original-concept hits with Barbarian and Weapons, some fans were surprised when Cregger signed on to tackle Resident Evil. But don’t expect this to mark the beginning of a franchise-hopping phase for the filmmaker, as he’s made it clear that Resident Evil is a one-and-done exception.
“I have never been approached by another franchise,” Cregger said. “Maybe I have, but it would never get to me because I have been very clear that I’m not doing that. I’m doing this, and that’s it for me.“
Resident Evil Receives Glowing Early Reactions
The film stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, “a medical courier who finds himself caught in the middle of a biohazard outbreak. What begins as a routine night quickly turns into a desperate fight for survival as he encounters the horrors unleashed by the outbreak.“
The film has received some very enthusiastic early reactions, or at least, the first thirty minutes have. Our own JimmyO was among a handful of critics to view the footage, and it’s safe to say he loved it.
“Just caught the first 30 minutes of Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil—and it’s absolutely fantastic. Moody, creepy, atmospheric, and genuinely funny,” he said. “Austin Abrams is incredible—funny, grounded, and makes you root for him instantly. His performance handles both the terror and the laughs with total perfection. Incredible casting choice.“ He added that this could finally be the movie that proves you can make a truly great horror video game movie.
Resident Evil will hit theaters on September 18.
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