I do know that is being mentioned in every single place, however Weapons is without doubt one of the finest horror motion pictures of the 12 months and fairly probably of all time. Zach Cregger’s thrilling, gory, terrifying, and oddly humorous film a few group of lacking children is not like anything I’ve seen on the 2025 film calendar. As an alternative of trying ahead to a attainable spinoff which will or might not occur, I’ve bought my sights set on his upcoming Resident Evil film.
As a longtime fan of the survival horror sport franchise, I used to be so stoked once I discovered that the upcoming online game adaptation was being helmed by the man who made Weapons, and Barbarian earlier than that. Together with his knack for intense but grounded gore, capacity to search out terror in all the pieces, and a lot extra, I’m much more excited to see how Cregger handles Racoon Metropolis subsequent 12 months.
The Gore In Weapons Caught Me By Shock, And Now I Cannot Wait To See It With Zombies (And Different Mutated Monsters)
I beforehand wrote about Weapons being essentially the most brutal film I’ve seen all 12 months, and that also stands (even after watching the likes of Remaining Vacation spot: Bloodlines and The Monkey). The factor is, whereas these two motion pictures, and others like them, are bloody, gory, and sickening at instances, the gore in Weapons regarded so actual, grounded, and unforgiving. As my colleague Eric Eisenberg identified in his five-star Weapons evaluate, the film comprises an unflinching brutality and stage of gore that’s stunning to say the least.
That mentioned, I can’t wait to see the extent of brutality Cregger brings to run-ins with zombies, mutated animals, or worse, all these diabolical creations by the Umbrella Company and its T-Virus. I imply, I need to see how he handles a Tyrant catching somebody or a personality pulling off an ideal headshot on a zombie, particularly after that completely bonkers Weapons ending that makes the Day of the Useless hallway scene seem like nothing.
Weapons Scared My Socks Off, And I Cannot Wait To See How Zach Cregger Handles These Leap Scares
Some administrators flip to gore or sensational ranges of violence to scare an viewers into submission, however Cregger additionally makes use of different and oftentimes extra intense moments of horror to maintain them on the perimeters of their seats. That was me all through Weapons, which I watched primarily with my arms over my eyes in pure terror as every chapter of the non-linear narrative unfolded. On prime of the sluggish burn that was the story, it additionally had its share of nice bounce scares, together with a dimly-lit interplay in a basement.
Anybody who has performed the Resident Evil video games is all too acquainted with the bounce scares which were a franchise hallmark for practically 30 years. Canine crashing by means of home windows, all these jarring encounters with the Nemesis in Resident Evil 3, and sudden environmental moments had been sufficient to make me need to play the video games with the lights on. I can not wait to see how Cregger handles this component in his adaptation, and after Weapons, I’ve full religion in him.
Cregger Additionally Is aware of How To Set An Eerie Tone, Which Will Be Good In His Raccoon Metropolis
One factor that units Weapons other than just about each horror film I’ve seen this 12 months is its eerie tone. Together with his second solo directorial effort (he co-directed a pair of comedies with the late Trevor Moore), Cregger was in a position to create this eerie tone that felt prefer it was someplace between actuality and fantasy that was by no means too grounded or too sensational, which stored throwing me off in a great way. I might by no means get a grasp on whether or not one thing was occurring or not, which made for an unforgettable expertise.
This may also be mentioned in regards to the Resident Evil video games, which, for essentially the most half, include tales that begin off seeming regular and reality-based, solely to show into one thing stranger, extra uncomfortable, and extra overseas. Strolling by means of an deserted mansion, traversing the streets of Raccoon Metropolis, looking for a lacking spouse or youngster, all the video games have this eeriness to them that always leaves you guessing and afraid for what waits across the nook. If Cregger can take what he did with Weapons and apply it to his adaptation, then we’re in for one heck of a trip.
He Has A Darkish And Nuanced Sense Of Humor, Which I Suppose Will Work Actually Properly Right here
Don’t get me improper, Weapons is completely a horror film and one thing I wouldn’t make the faint of coronary heart (my spouse) watch, however the film additionally has a darkish and nuanced humorousness that makes it even higher. Contemplating the filmmaker was a founding member of the Whitest Children U’Know comedy troupe, which gave us among the best sketch comedy reveals of all time, it must be no shock that he can discover wild methods to give you a joke.
Whether or not it was one character always beating an enchanted man who simply received’t keep down, the new canine scene, or that wild ending, there have been humorous moments galore. I feel that can translate nicely in Resident Evil, because the video games have been campy as hell along with being terrifying. I’m not saying I need the film to have a bit of tofu as a personality (sure, that occurs), however the tacky dialogue, the cynicism, and the utter ridiculousness are issues Cregger might completely pull off.
Additionally, Cregger Calling His Adaptation A ‘Love Letter’ To The Resident Evil Video games Has Me Crawling Throughout The Ceiling
Although I by no means actually jived with the Resident Evil motion pictures, the video games have been a few of my favorites since I used to be approach too younger to be taking part in them. Fortunately, it appears like Cregger is in the identical boat. When talking with Inverse in August 2025, the director mentioned that whereas he might be telling a “completely different story” and received’t be adapting one of many titles, he described his upcoming film as a “love letter” to the video games and mentioned he’ll comply with the “guidelines of the video games.”
So, a very unique story set throughout the world of Resident Evil? Signal me up and put that T-Virus in my veins like proper now, as a result of this sounds completely superior. One in every of my largest issues with the Paul W.S. Anderson movies again within the day was the truth that they all the time appeared to remain on the fence and by no means commit to completely devoted or unique tales. This resolution appears to nip it within the bud.
I’m bursting on the seams with pleasure over right here, however the Resident Evil film doesn’t drop till September 18, 2026. Nonetheless, there are some promising upcoming horror motion pictures to maintain me excited and terrified within the meantime.