Resident Evil Director Removed Most of the Jokes After Test Screenings

What if the new Resident Evil movie was originally much funnier?

Apparently, it was.

With Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil arriving in theaters on September 18, the director has revealed an interesting change made during test screenings: audiences liked the movie, but felt there was too much comedy.

So Cregger started cutting.

And he didn’t just remove a couple of jokes.

He says he stripped out as much of the humor as possible.

Resident Evil Was Supposed to Have More Humor

Cregger explained that test audiences generally responded positively to the movie, but thought the balance between horror and comedy wasn’t working.

After removing jokes, he found that audiences enjoyed the movie more — and he preferred the new version too.

The director ultimately came away with a simple lesson:

A little humor can work in horror, but too much can weaken the fear.

Interestingly, Cregger’s background in comedy makes the decision even more notable. He previously performed with the sketch-comedy group The Whitest Kids U’Know before moving into filmmaking.

Does Resident Evil Need to Be Serious?

This is where things get interesting for horror and Resident Evil fans.

The games have always had a strange relationship with humor.

There are genuinely frightening moments…

Then suddenly comes a ridiculous line, bizarre character moment or over-the-top action sequence.

That contrast is part of Resident Evil’s identity.

But Cregger’s new movie is taking a different approach.

Sony describes it as an all-new survival-horror story following Bryan, a medical courier caught in a deadly outbreak in Raccoon City.

The movie is also rated R, with the film positioned as a bloody horror experience.

So perhaps Cregger wants the fear to dominate this time.

The Timing Is Perfect

The biggest reason this story matters right now?

We’re only days away from finding out whether the decision worked.

Resident Evil hits theaters September 18, 2026.

That means audiences will soon be able to judge the final balance themselves.

Was removing the jokes the right move?

Or did Cregger accidentally remove some of the weird personality that makes Resident Evil fun?

GHorror Take

We’re actually more curious about the movie now.

Not because removing comedy automatically makes a horror movie better — it doesn’t.

But because Cregger tested the movie, listened to the reaction, and substantially changed the tone.

Now we get to see whether that darker version delivers.

And there’s one question we really want answered:

Should Resident Evil be scary first, or scary AND ridiculous?

That’s going to be one of the most interesting things to discuss when the movie finally opens.

Resident Evil arrives September 18.

GHorror Question

Would you rather see a serious Resident Evil movie or one with more of the games’ weird humor?

🔴 SERIOUS HORROR
🟢 HORROR + HUMOR
🧟 I WANT BOTH

Tell us what you want from the new Resident Evil.