RE Director Reacts to Ending Haters Says It Was Completely Different
When the new Resident Evil movie from director Zach Cregger hit theaters on September 18th, it delivered a surprisingly scary-good first weekend, managing to pull in 108 million opening dollars. Critics were quick to praise the film for great reviews, yet as with many ambitious cinematic ventures, not everyone was entirely satisfied with the conclusion.
The friction centered squarely on the ending. Some viewers felt the conclusion deflated the narrative, suggesting the story was abruptly over. However, behind the scenes, the creative decisions were far more complex and driven by a desire to create a genuinely impactful experience, not simply deliver the expected resolution.
Cregger addressed this tension in interviews, expressing respect for those opinions while firmly defending his artistic choices. He maintained that he would never have changed the ending, underscoring a commitment to his vision even when it sparked debate.
The dramatic shift came from Cregger’s intention. The film ultimately explored not just a survival story, but the origin story of a monster. The narrative pivot revealed that Austin Abrams’ character, Bryan, was not just a survivor, but an infected demon, the very genesis of a threat found within the games.
This recontextualization was key. Cregger felt the movie was designed to deliver a punch, recontextualizing the entire experience rather than offering a neat, predictable solution. He explained that the decision to feature a contingency sequence—a “Plan B”—was crucial for building emotional momentum. As he stated, he wanted the stakes to remain high: “It’s like, ‘Save him, save him!’ Whereas before it was like, ‘Kill them I guess? Kill them all?’”
This approach extended to the transformation of the protagonist. Cregger found the idea of Bryan evolving into a mutant monster compelling, arguing that the film was less about a hero saving the world and more about the terrifying, impactful journey of a monster’s birth. He liked a movie that punched you in the face, even if it didn’t deliver what the audience initially wished for.
In further discussions, Cregger acknowledged that while some audiences may disagree with the final outcome, he respects their differing opinions. He confirmed that the core artistic truth of the film remained intact, regardless of viewer reaction.
Beyond the narrative ending, Cregger also made other adjustments based on test screenings, including trimming some of the jokes to tighten the overall tone. While he has suggested that he is finished making franchise movies following the significant fan backlash, he is reportedly still mulling over sequel ideas for the world of Resident Evil.
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