Director Zach Cregger suggested we won’t get a “Cregger cut” of Resident Evil, as fans call to see the jokes that got trimmed.
As reactions to the latest live-action video game adaptation have poured in, moviegoers have reported seeing a movie with more jokes than anyone expected. It’s been a surprise for those who thought Cregger would lean harder on the horror, especially after the Weapons director teased that his version of Resident Evil had removed elements that test audiences thought made it “too funny.”
The Resident Evil in theaters is one that cracks viewers up about as often as it scares them, and apparently, that’s exactly the way Cregger likes it. During an interview with IGN and our guest host, streamer Valkyrae, the horror-comedy filmmaker said he feels “good about” the cut jokes amid calls for an extended cut of the movie with no quips left behind.
“It was the right move. It’s funny; I saw somebody online was like, ‘Release the Cregger cut!’ I’m like, ‘No, this is the Cregger cut,'” he said. “The Cregger cut is this without those jokes in it. It’s fun to have moments of levity, but it needs to be a horror movie first and foremost, so I don’t miss any of them.”
Despite the conversations about video game references leading up to Resident Evil’s release, the last few days haven’t seen anyone talking quite as much about how the film fits into the lore. Instead, it’s how it handles comedy that has fans launching threads online, with some appreciating its surprisingly light-hearted tone while others wish Cregger had cut even more of the jokes.
For better or worse, all of the laughs have even led some to call Resident Evil an outright horror-comedy. It’s sparked debate online about how Cregger should have handled the tone as the Austin Abrams-led adaptation attracts audiences to theaters.
“Resident Evil WAS funny, but I think what a lot of people are missing is A LOT of the humor comes from the main characters’ reactions to stuff and these aren’t the reactions typical to a video game character but instead the kind of reactions we the players have while playing,” one review said.
“Far and away one of the best video game adaptations I’ve ever seen, and also one of the best horror comedies I’ve ever seen,” Collider’s Perri Nemiroff said. “Cannot believe how many hilarious beats this movie has without ever diminishing the stakes or sheer terror of the situation.”
It’s unclear just how many jokes were left on the cutting room floor, but Cregger said he’s happy with the result, regardless. Those hoping to see a version of the movie that’s even funnier than the theatrical release may not want to get their hopes up too high, though.
“They’re great,” Cregger said of the cut jokes. “I just… it’s better for the movie. You know, I come from comedy. I always want to celebrate – especially if somebody lands a really good joke. I don’t want to take that out. I want them to have the win, but I have to think of the whole.”
Resident Evil premiered September 18, 2026, and tells an original story inspired by Capcom’s beloved survival horror video game IP. IGN touched on Cregger’s approach to comedy in our 8/10 review.
“With a laser focus on putting its hero through the worst night of his life,” we said, “Resident Evil is a simple and exciting survival horror story that benefits greatly from director Zach Cregger’s sensibilities.”
