Resident Evil Fans Debate the Divisive Ending of Zach Cregger's Movie

Fans of Resident Evil are divided over the ending of Zach Cregger's film, with many believing it to be a disappointing conclusion to the tragic story. The movie deviated from the series' games, focusing on an average medical courier, Bryan Hodukavich, who must transport a sensitive package to Raccoon City General Hospital. As he battles mutated creatures, he learns the package contains a chemical agent necessary to create a vaccine for a virus unleashed by Umbrella scientists.

However, Bryan is bitten by an infected girl and succumbs to the virus, turning into a Nemesis who kills all remaining scientists on the hospital's top floor. In the final scene, Nemesis-Bryan kills the last scientist, dropping the syringe to the ground 28 stories below.

Viewers critical of the ending argue that Bryan's actions ultimately led to no payoff, as he became the very monster he was trying to stop. Some fans also criticized the portrayal of the Umbrella scientists, feeling their incompetence undermined the final struggle. One viewer wrote, "The ending was so abrupt. I loved everything leading up, and then it slipped on a banana peel at the end. I don't hate it, but it's a very awkward and rushed ending."

However, others defend the ending, pointing out that Bryan is essentially an NPC, whose emotional voice note for his girlfriend Michelle is a form of worldbuilding. They argue that Bryan was not the hero of the story, but a tool used to showcase how a Resident Evil monster could be created. As lead actor Austin Abrams described the ending, "It's crazy and shocking."

Cregger himself revealed that the ending was not the original conclusion; it was filmed as a contingency plan in case the first ending didn't work. IGN gave the film an 8 out of 10, praising its simple and exciting survival horror.