The Resident Evil movie franchise, based on the highly successful video game series by Capcom, has become one of the most well-known adaptations of a video game to film. First hitting the big screen in 2002, the series has spanned multiple sequels, reboots, and spin-offs, solidifying its place in pop culture. With a focus on horror, action, and apocalyptic survival, the Resident Evil movies have attracted a dedicated fan base, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. The films’ success lies in their unique blend of action-packed sequences, horror elements, and larger-than-life characters, particularly the iconic protagonist, Alice, played by Milla Jovovich.
The Beginning: Resident Evil (2002)
Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the first Resident Evil film, released in 2002, serves as a loose adaptation of the original video game. While the plot borrows elements from the game, the film diverges in many ways to create its own narrative and introduce a new central character—Alice (Milla Jovovich), a security officer working for the Umbrella Corporation. The story centers on Alice’s attempts to stop a viral outbreak that causes the dead to rise as zombies and threatens to spread worldwide.
The film’s atmosphere is dark and foreboding, with eerie settings, relentless monsters, and intense action sequences. While the plot diverges significantly from the games, the movie retains key elements such as the Umbrella Corporation and the T-virus, which are central to the video game series’ mythos. Though not a critical success, the film became a commercial hit, grossing over $100 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful video game adaptations at the time.
Expanding the Story: Resident Evil Sequels
Following the success of the first movie, Resident Evil quickly became a franchise with numerous sequels. The film series expanded its universe, delving deeper into the dystopian world ravaged by the T-virus and following Alice as she fights to survive the chaos caused by the Umbrella Corporation.
- Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) – Directed by Alexander Witt, the second installment continues Alice’s fight against the Umbrella Corporation and introduces key characters from the games, such as Jill Valentine (Sienna Guillory) and Nemesis, a monstrous creature genetically engineered by Umbrella. The film shifts more towards action and introduces a variety of creatures, including mutated zombies and the hulking Nemesis, who becomes an imposing antagonist.
- Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) – Directed by Russell Mulcahy, this third film is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where Alice is forced to confront her own powers while battling new mutations of the virus. The film showcases a more expansive view of the world, with Alice leading a group of survivors across a desolate desert wasteland. Extinction is notable for its introduction of unique mutated creatures, such as the crows, which bring a new horror element to the series.
- Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010) – Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, this fourth installment of the series sees Alice seeking revenge against the Umbrella Corporation while also searching for a safe haven for survivors. The movie adds a new layer of action with spectacular 3D effects and introduces new enemies, including the terrifying, giant executioner known as the Axeman. Afterlife was the first film in the series to be released in 3D, marking a significant shift in the movie’s presentation and visual appeal.
- Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) – This fifth film, once again directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, continues Alice’s journey as she faces off against the Umbrella Corporation in a series of increasingly dangerous and complex environments. The movie introduces characters from the games, including Leon S. Kennedy (Johann Urb) and Ada Wong (Li Bingbing), as well as more brutal action sequences and extravagant fight scenes. Retribution uses a more high-tech setting with cutting-edge visual effects, placing Alice in various simulated worlds designed by Umbrella.
- Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016) – The sixth and final installment of the series (at least at the time) brings Alice’s story to a dramatic conclusion. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, The Final Chapter sees Alice return to Raccoon City, where she faces the ultimate showdown against Umbrella and the virus that has ravaged the world. The film delivers over-the-top action and emotional moments, giving Alice’s journey a satisfying end while attempting to tie up the various plot threads that spanned throughout the series.