Zach Cregger had to dial down the jokes in his upcoming Resident Evil film because test screeners 'thought it was too funny'

Zach Cregger, a director known for blending horror and comedy in his films, had to tone down the humor in his upcoming Resident Evil movie due to test screenings indicating it was too funny. Cregger shared with The Hollywood Reporter that while the movie received positive feedback, the test audiences felt it was too comical. Consequently, he removed as much of the jokes as possible during the testing phase.

The Resident Evil franchise is known for its witty and sarcastic characters, with Leon Kennedy being one of the most prominent examples. However, the humor in Resident Evil 4 was mainly limited to its protagonist, as the film was intended to be a horror experience. Cregger explained that too much comedy in a horror film can be detrimental, as the purpose of a light-hearted moment is to offer relief to the audience, preventing them from becoming overwhelmed by the intense action.

A touch of humor can enhance the viewing experience, but excessive jokes can dilute the film's atmosphere. After streamlining the humor, Cregger found that both the audience and himself enjoyed the movie more.