Sep 17, 2026 7:33pm IST
Director Zach Cregger: ‘You Don’t Know What You’re In For With Movies Like ‘Backrooms,’ ‘Obsession’ Or ‘Resident Evil’’ (EXCLUSIVE)
With horror continuing to dominate the global box office in 2026, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch for the latest big-screen incarnation of one of gaming’s most legendary franchises, “Resident Evil.” Helmed by director Zach Cregger and starring Austin Abrams as an unlikely everyday protagonist caught in the middle of a nightmare outbreak, this new chapter promises to deliver pure survival horror with relentless tension and razor-sharp execution.
In an exclusive interview with Variety India, the duo discusses what draws global audiences to horror, how they calibrate comedic timing amid violent gore, and how they build fear through sheer desperation.
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2026 has been a massive year for horror, with movies like ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ capturing global audiences. What do you think is clicking for the genre right now?
Zach Cregger: Horror is just such a thriving space to tell original stories. I feel like you really don’t know what you’re in for when you go see a movie like “Backrooms” or “Obsession,” or I would hope to even say “Resident Evil,” because I just don’t think there’s been a movie like this before. This movie honors the video games, so if you like the games, you’ll recognize a lot of that in this film. But it’s not like other movies I’ve seen. It follows a person from point A to point B, you’re locked in with them, and it has a really unique tone that’s incredibly gnarly. It’s one of the last genres where you can still be genuinely surprised, and that’s vital.
Austin Abrams: I would add that it’s about taking audiences to a new space by incorporating comedic elements. Jordan Peele obviously paved the way, but Zach is doing it in his own unique style. “Obsession” had a similar comedy element to it as well. Audiences are really connecting with that blend of horror and comedy right now. I know I certainly love it.
Having seen the first 30 minutes, the timing and rhythm stand out immediately. The balance between jump scares and dark humor, like that nightmare dog transformation, catches you completely off-guard. How deliberate was that calibration during production?
Zach Cregger: You definitely make the movie before you shoot it. For me, that means storyboarding every single shot, so I know exactly how it cuts together before stepping onto set. Austin and I talked through the scenes extensively, and since he read the script early on, we shared the exact same sensibility and sense of timing. That precision is essential, and collaborating with someone whose brain works on the same wavelength makes it seamless.
Austin Abrams: When you’re in the middle of a scene, you can instinctively feel whether the timing is landing or if it needs adjusting.
Austin, how did you approach playing a protagonist whose main survival tool is sheer panic and quick thinking rather than tactical military training?
Austin Abrams: You just freak out a lot! It’s pretty straightforward. You essentially have panic attacks all day long.
Zach Cregger: We specifically made sure he had zero hands-on experience with guns until the exact moment the script required him to handle one.
Austin Abrams: In a situation like that, it’s almost better not to prepare or over-rehearse a jump or reaction beforehand. It keeps the fear authentic.
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