The filmmaker and his leading man joined Nerdtropolis on the Fantastic Fest red carpet to discuss the survival horror reboot, cinematic nightmares and their latest nerdy obsessions.
Resident Evil has returned to the big screen, and director Zach Cregger wants audiences to experience the same fear and tension that made the video games a survival horror phenomenon.
During the opening-night premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, Cregger and star Austin Abrams spoke exclusively with Nerdtropolis correspondent Drew Munhausen about their ambitious reinvention of the iconic franchise.
The red carpet conversation explored Cregger’s approach to adapting the games, Abrams’ recent string of dangerous survival roles, and the unexpected projects keeping both artists entertained outside the world of Resident Evil.
Following his work on Barbarian and Weapons, Cregger has embraced an established franchise with decades of history. However, rather than developing another complicated narrative, he wanted to recreate the feeling of actually playing the games.
The new film follows Bryan (Abrams), a medical courier who becomes trapped in a horrifying fight for survival when one fateful night spirals into complete chaos. For Cregger, the opportunity to unleash that nightmare at Fantastic Fest was particularly exciting.
Zach Cregger Wants Resident Evil to Feel Like Playing the Games
Fantastic Fest provided an opportunity for Cregger to introduce his latest horror project to an audience of dedicated genre enthusiasts. When asked about premiering the film in front of fans who appreciate everything gruesome and terrifying, Cregger revealed that this was his first time attending the festival.
“I could not be more excited to premiere at Fantastic Fest,” Cregger told Nerdtropolis. “This is my first time at Fantastic Fest, so I’d be a liar if I acted like I knew what I was in store for.”
Despite not knowing exactly what to expect, the filmmaker said everyone he had spoken with had encouraged him about the experience.
“So I’m pumped,” he added.
The conversation then shifted toward the challenge of moving from original horror productions like Barbarian and Weapons to an established property as recognizable as Resident Evil.
Cregger’s response made his motivation clear.
“I just love the games,” he said. Rather than approach the franchise as another Hollywood adaptation, the filmmaker wanted to translate the experience of playing Resident Evil into a feature film.
“I just wanted to make a movie that felt like the first survival horror movie, that felt authentic to the experience of playing the game.”
Cregger explained that his previous two films allowed him to explore more complicated narratives. For Resident Evil, he wanted to move in the opposite direction.
“Coming off of Weapons and Barbarian where they were kind of like narratively dexterous things, I was like, I want to just make a lean, mean 90-minute thrill ride that feels like Resident Evil.”
He summed up his approach with one final thought.
“Let’s simplify and see what we can get away with.”
That philosophy highlights an important distinction in Cregger’s approach. Rather than attempting to recreate the narrative complexity of his previous films, he wanted an immediate, relentless survival experience. For longtime fans, the franchise’s appeal extends beyond recognizable monsters and familiar characters. Limited resources, vulnerability, and the terrifying uncertainty of what waits around the next corner are central to the games.
Cregger’s comments suggest those sensations were guiding principles in his reinvention of the franchise. Does the film deliver on that promise? Read our full Resident Evil review at Nerdtropolis.
Austin Abrams Jokes About Surviving Resident Evil and Whalefall
While Cregger discussed his passion for the franchise, Abrams found himself answering a different question about his recent career choices. Between Resident Evil and the upcoming survival thriller Whalefall, the actor has taken on projects that place his characters in increasingly dangerous situations.
When asked how it felt to be one of the most imperiled actors on screen, Abrams responded with his signature dry humor.
“It’s nice to be here … in air conditioning,” Abrams joked.
He acknowledged the considerable amount of danger involved in his recent roles and expressed relief at having made it through those experiences.
The conversation then took an unexpectedly hilarious turn when Cregger jumped in with a question about Whalefall.
“And they really did put you in a real whale, right?” the director asked. Abrams immediately played along. “Real whale, yeah.”
When the conversation turned to how many whales the production had supposedly used, Abrams continued the joke by claiming they went through four or five during the first week.
“It was about 4 to 5 a week, I’d say,” he joked.
Cregger kept the bit going by asking whether the whales had names. Abrams responded that they did, suggesting the animals communicated through clicking sounds.
The absurd exchange offered a glimpse of the playful dynamic between the filmmaker and his leading man. Both projects place Abrams in extreme survival scenarios, but the actor clearly hasn’t lost his sense of humor about his increasingly dangerous screen adventures.
Zach Cregger Reveals His Latest Video Game Obsession
Before wrapping up the interview, Nerdtropolis had one final question for the duo: What have they been nerding out about lately?
For Cregger, the answer brought the conversation right back to video games.
“I’ve been playing a lot of Slay the Spire 2 lately,” the filmmaker revealed.
He admitted that he had been spending perhaps a little too much time with the game. When the conversation turned to the original Slay the Spire, Cregger enthusiastically recommended checking out its sequel.
“Dude, 2 is great,” he said.
Abrams had a completely different answer. The actor revealed that Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey had captured his attention enough to warrant multiple viewings.
“I saw The Odyssey a couple of times,” Abrams shared.
The closing exchange brought the conversation full circle. Cregger began by explaining how his love of video games inspired his approach to Resident Evil and ended by enthusiastically recommending another game.
That passion for gaming drives Cregger’s vision for Resident Evil. With Abrams leading the fight for survival, the filmmaker delivers an original story that captures the terrifying experience of playing the games while unleashing a fresh cinematic nightmare.
Resident Evil is now playing in theaters.
Read more News and Subscribe to our YouTube.
Discover more from Nerdtropolis - Movie News, Reviews, Interviews, and Trailers
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
