Director Zach Cregger cites Resident Evil games as primary film inspiration

Director Zach Cregger has revealed that the Resident Evil film was primarily inspired by the video game series, influencing both its narrative structure and visual expression. Cregger noted that his lifelong engagement with gaming has shaped his understanding of immersive perspectives, such as first-person and third-person camera angles.

Regarding the story, Cregger drew specific inspiration from Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7. He aims to utilize the rhythm and scale found in the fourth installment while incorporating character elements similar to the seventh, which features an ordinary man thrust into terrifying circumstances.

Cregger also shared a personal anecdote regarding the horror elements of the franchise, citing the ‘Baby’ monster from Resident Evil Village as a particularly terrifying experience during VR gameplay. The film, which premiered on October 9, has also drawn commentary from director Hideo Kojima, who described it as a film for the players who have experienced the games.