Austin Abrams is heading straight into Raccoon City, and his character is having what may be the worst work shift imaginable.
In director Zach Cregger’s new take on Resident Evil, Abrams plays Bryan, an ordinary medical courier whose routine delivery turns into a terrifying fight for survival. Tasked with transporting coolers, Bryan soon finds himself navigating a night filled with infected humans, mutated creatures, and escalating danger.
Unlike the highly trained heroes often associated with survival horror, Bryan enters the nightmare with no combat experience and no special skills. That vulnerability places audiences directly in his shoes as he tries to stay alive long enough to complete his journey.
Resident Evil opens in Philippine cinemas, including IMAX, on September 16. Tickets are available now.
Zach Cregger Found the Right Everyman in Austin Abrams
For Cregger, casting Abrams was an easy decision.
The two previously worked together on Weapons, and that collaboration gave the director confidence that Abrams could bring the right balance of humor, fear, and relatability to Bryan.
Austin is so well-suited for this part, says Cregger. We had an amazing experience together on Weapons and we really connected creatively. So, when it was time to get Resident Evil going, I didn’t have to think too hard about casting Austin.
Cregger also wanted audiences to experience the chaos through someone who feels believable and grounded.
Before everything goes sideways,” Cregger explains. “Bryan has no training and no backup. He’s just a guy whose shift has turned into a survival horror story that he had no way to prepare for. He’s sucked into a nightmare and burdened with this sacred mission that’s going to take him into the true heart of darkness.
That setup makes Bryan less of an action hero and more of a stand-in for the audience. Every threat becomes more intense because he is figuring things out as he goes.
Watch the official trailer:
Austin Abrams Embraces Cregger’s Mix of Horror and Humor
Abrams was equally enthusiastic about working with Cregger again.
For the actor, part of the appeal came from the filmmaker’s ability to shift between fear and comedy without losing momentum.
Zach’s humor makes me laugh because it’s so sharp,” says the actor. “I really love his work because in one moment Zach can freak you out, and a second later, make you laugh. It’s his kind of flavoring.
That contrast between tension and humor could give this version of Resident Evil a distinctive personality while still delivering the mayhem and horror fans expect from the franchise.
Bryan Is Someone Audiences Can Easily Root For
Executive producer Miri Yoon also points to Abrams’ natural performance as one of Bryan’s biggest strengths.
Austin’s portrayal is very natural and honest. He’s so wonderful at playing the everyman, who stands in for all of us who have never handled a weapon and have no fighting or survival skills. Bryan is just a guy trying to get through a really bad day full of mayhem and gore.
For Bryan, surviving the night is not about being the strongest person in the room. It is about adapting quickly, pushing through fear, and finding a way forward even when the odds keep getting worse.
Executive producer Roy Lee believes that sense of resilience is exactly what will keep audiences invested in the character.
Austin brings a real sense of resilience to the role. He has the physical presence to handle the intense action, but he also gives the character heart and hope, so that you’re constantly rooting for him to survive the night.
With infected humans, mutated creatures, and Raccoon City standing in his path, Bryan has plenty to survive.
Catch Austin Abrams in Resident Evil when the film arrives in Philippine cinemas, including IMAX, on September 16. Distibuted locally by Columbia Pictures PH. Tickets are available now.
