Hollywood’s latest attempt at a Resident Evil adaptation has thrilled fans and rightly so. Director Zach Cregger’s choice to introduce a new character was undoubtedly the right move, despite backlash from the more hardcore parts of the fanbase. But while Austin Abrams’ turn as Bryan has delighted many, including this writer, some glaring issues with the main character are hard to overlook.
Cregger brought the video game world of Resident Evil and grounded it in a way that feels more real. Aside from referential easter eggs, there’s no saving the game, no healing herbs, no do-overs. While the director does everything in his power to make it feel like a video game, the fact is that it is set up in the real world with real-world consequences; the stakes are higher because Bryan won’t get a do-over like your average player if he messes up.
