New Resident Evil film ditched laughs
The Art of Less: How a Filmmaker Stripped Down a Horror Hit for a Bigger Win
When filmmaker Zach Cregger embarked on his latest adaptation of the beloved Resident Evil franchise, he wasn’t just making a movie; he was conducting an experiment in tone. Following initial test screenings, Cregger made a surprising and radical decision that fundamentally reshaped the script: he pulled almost all of the comedic elements from the film.
Cregger’s previous work, including films like Weapons and Barbarian, successfully balanced intense horror with moments of dark humor. However, the test screenings for this new adaptation suggested that the comedic balance was initially too lopsided for the audience to fully engage with the core horror experience.
To correct this imbalance, Cregger undertook a thorough process of refinement. He systematically stripped out the jokes, believing that a more focused approach would serve the narrative better. The results were swift and positive. Cregger found that by removing the lighter elements, the audience not only enjoyed the movie more but also connected with the story on a deeper level.
“I learned that people really liked the movie, but they thought it was too funny,” Cregger explained about his process. “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.”
This creative pivot, however, did not go unnoticed by some observers. Cregger has faced criticism regarding his use of artistic license and perceived lack of faithfulness to specific entries within the franchise. Some felt he underestimated the passionate demand from the fanbase for a more authentic adaptation of legacy characters like Leon S. Kennedy.
Beyond the Resident Evil project, Cregger is also navigating other creative endeavors. He recently offered an update on his long-running DC script, Henchman, confirming that while his affection for the material remains strong, there has been no recent movement on developing it.
Despite the script revisions and external commentary, the focus remains on the cinematic experience. The Resident Evil film is set to open in cinemas on September 18th, offering audiences a stark, refined horror experience.
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