The first fan reactions for Zach Cregger's Resident Evil movie trailer are in—and while some say the film looks like fun horror fare, many have complained that it doesn't look much like the iconic franchise.

The lack of recognizable elements in the footage shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. Cregger has spoken repeatedly about being a fan of the series but noted he does not want to replicate anything from the video games that fans can already experience elsewhere. With Capcom's blessing, Cregger has been given the green light to create his own personal take on the series.

Fans Question the Lack of Resident Evil Lore

Still, the absence of familiar imagery in the Resident Evil movie trailer is causing significant concern among the community. Many viewers expected to see an Umbrella logo or a Crimson Head pop up somewhere in the footage.

The social media response has been largely critical regarding the film's connection to the source material:

  • "The trailer looks good for a proper horror movie but not as good for a RE movie."
  • "What's the point of using the IP? Genuinely asking."
  • "This looks more like a 28 Days Later spinoff than anything Resident Evil."
  • "Doesn't look like Resident Evil at all."
  • "Why can't anybody make a RE film like the games? Zombies in a mansion."

One dedicated fan, Ivan, expressed even deeper frustrations regarding the lack of atmosphere. "You need to have some Resident Evil in your Resident Evil movie adaptation," he wrote. "Where's the RPD? Where's Umbrella? Where's even some familiar game music? There's thousands of horror movies, but only one RE franchise. Just a trailer but TEASE those things. Not just the horror."

Hidden Easter Eggs in the Resident Evil Movie Trailer

Despite the backlash, some viewers were more complimentary. They praised certain creepy shots, such as various limbs emerging from a doorway and a glimpse of Raccoon City nestled in the snow—even if the location wasn't explicitly identified.

While these details were absent from the initial footage, there is hope for lore enthusiasts. Cregger has hinted that fans can expect more recognizable elements like green herbs, specific weapons, and iconic locations.

Cregger seems to understand the stakes of this adaptation. He noted that he expects "lore nerds" will likely "crucify" him if his reboot deviates too far from the established franchise lore.

Co-written by Cregger and Shay Hatten, the film stars Austin Abrams, Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Kali Reis. The movie is set to launch in theaters on September 18.