After a chaotic film franchise and other inglorious attempts, Netflix offers its “Resident Evil”, a series filmed in live action. Does this new adaptation have a chance of seducing fans?
WHAT IS IT ABOUT ?
An adaptation of the famous video game franchise created by Capcom, which seeks to further deepen the mythology of the license, in particular behind the scenes of the diabolical company Umbrella, responsible for the creation and propagation of the terrible T-Virus…
Resident Evil, a series created by Andrew Dabb.
ZOMBIES WITHOUT BITE
Adapting video games on the small and big screen is a perilous mission. Many have tried it and the result has rarely sparked. The most famous case is undoubtedly that of Resident Evil. It is the franchise that has seen the most adaptations.
In total, six feature films worn by Milla Jovovich between 2002 and 2017, a reboot released in 2021 under the title Welcome to Racoon City and several animated films, the last of which, Infinite Darkness, dates from last year. What’s left? Alas, not much – although the 2000s saga has some indulgent fans.
netflix
The streaming giant is back on the attack with a series of eight live action episodes. The project presents itself as a complete reboot that pays more homage to video games than to the films that followed. At the controls, we find Andrew Dabbhistorical executive producer of Supernatural.
If the series is full of good intentions, it is clear that this is another missed opportunity. Not really scary, nor thrilling, resident Evil follows two parallel plots: the first in 2036 after the spread of the T-Virus and the second 14 years earlier, in 2022, before the tragedy. It is the main heroine, Jade – interpreted by Ella Balinska, revealed in Charlie’s Angels – who makes the link between these two parts.
netflix
The story takes its time, even if it means boring the viewer. And it’s not the horror and the army of zombies – not really threatening – that will electrify the series. Apart from a rather enjoyable chainsaw scene in episode 4, this adaptation is rather shy about liters of blood and hemoglobin.
resident Evil nevertheless gives pride of place to a gallery of well-crafted female characters and offers an interesting artistic direction. Not sure that’s enough to appeal to video game fans and thrill seekers.
resident Evil is available on Netflix.