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The Resident Evil movie has dropped its first trailer, and it teases a spooky ride that, according to director Zach Cregger, is set alongside Resident Evil 2.
But, some fans of the horror game aren't so sure, and are questioning if the film is going to be a major departure from the game lore. "So this is supposed to be Raccoon City during RE2 and RE3? Then why the fuck is it snowing?" questioned one fan – Resident Evil 2 takes place on one night in September, while Resident Evil 3 takes place just after that game finishes on October 1. Snow in September and October is fairly unseasonal.
Then, that same fan spotted another detail that raises questions, "Okay so I was vibing with the trailer, but saying its set in Raccoon City during RE2 where there's this shot of the protag with a smartphone flashlight already has me questioning how much it's DRASTICALLY deviated from the OG lore," they wrote. Resident Evil 2 takes place in 1998, so long before the smartphone era.
"Resident Evil 2 is set in September 1998. Aside from looking super modern (he has a smartphone at some point). It wasn't snowing in Raccoon City. There are mutations of the virus that are completely made up. It just feels like a zombie movie they decided to add Resident Evil to the title as an afterthought," says another fan.
"I think my only legitimate gripe with the Resident Evil movie is that it takes place in tandem with the events of RE2 (which is in '98) and he has a smartphone," says someone else. "I wish they kept it of the time and not made it a modern timeline."
"Seriously though why does that new Resident Evil movie have a very modern iPhone 15/16 Pro in it, feels extremely out of place for something that's supposed to take place during the events of Resident Evil 2 (according to the director)," thinks another person.
But, many fans are also taking a stance against nit-picking. "Resident Evil is a franchise where you have to put a diamond into the eyes sockets of a statue to get a key to open the door of a police station, and your suspension of disbelief is ruined because it's snowing?" points out one person.
In a recent interview, Cregger told us that the story takes place "on the periphery" of the second game. "You know, where Raccoon City is having its big night, but tell just another story that could be happening in parallel to that."
My guess is just that the timeline has been shifted ever so slightly, which shouldn't be a huge issue. Cregger has already said he won't be sticking exactly to the canon, after all. "I am a gigantic Resident Evil game fan. I've played them all. I don't know how many times I've just looped [RE4] again and again. I just love it. I'm definitely not trying to be completely obedient to the lore of the games," he shared.
The Resident Evil movie arrives this September 18. While you wait, check out our guide to all the upcoming video game adaptations coming soon.
