Resident Evil adaptations have a rocky past. In contrast to Paul W.S. Anderson’s film series and this year’s big-screen revival, a collection of CGI films, including a Netflix series, were handled better. As a result, Netflix’s new live-action Resident Evil series falls short of expectations. It is marred by dubious creative decisions, variable production quality, and a curious reluctance to delve into the rich mythology and lore of the source material. Netflix’s Resident Evil series takes place in two different time periods. When Billie and Jade (Siena Agudong and Tamara Smart) are teenagers, they are sent to live with their father Albert (Lance Reddick), a sunglass-wearing adversary from the games, in New Raccoon City in 2022.
South African pharmaceutical business Umbrella is based on the property, and Albert is working on fresh research in the facility’s basement. Jade (Ella Balinska) is now an older woman, doing experiments on zombies (called “zeroes” in this universe) while being chased by Umbrella 14 years later in London, where the “end of the world” has occurred. Jade’s journey in 2036’s Resident Evil is a slog through a maze of weak European accents, cheap-looking settings, and wheel-spinning narratives, while the 2022-era Resident Evil concentrates on the twins’ adjustment to life with Umbrella.
A jailbreak aside, there is, of course, more action in the zombie-infested future, but these sequences are badly shot and difficult to follow. Early scenes, such as a swarm of Lickers and a spider-filled tunnel, are promising, but the CGI money seems to go all too fast. Aside from the occasional flash of terror, the 2036 sequences’ very subdued intensity is stunning. The future-set sequences bring the programme to a halt whenever it gains speed. Almost all of the show’s duration is devoted to a succession of tedious, uninspiring set-pieces. As a whole, it’s an experiment on how to lose an audience’s attention in a matter of seconds. Thankfully, the timetable for 2022 is more visually appealing as well as more interesting to read about.
When it comes to Umbrella’s pristine white, bucolic campus and blue sky concept, Apple’s sleeper hit Severance comes to mind. Even while it’s evident that the two time periods are linked, a tragic shock in the finale gives the narrative a much-needed sense of urgency. When it comes to the drug Joy (and Joy for Kids), Umbrella is slowly dissolving as it prepares to be put on sale. For horror fans, Tijuana is abuzz with rumours of an event, while numerous botched animal experiments (yep, the games’ iconic zombie dogs come there) give just the right amount of horrors. Some of these scenes are so badly lit that you’ll have to fiddle with your TV’s brightness settings to see what’s going on. Viewing it wasn’t exactly enjoyable.
However, the Resident Evil Netflix series isn’t dead in the water after the first six episodes. Albert Wesker, played by Lance Reddick, is particularly creepy. On the surface, he appears to be a family man, but his stern gaze and a few sharp, disguised threats can terrify others, as he shows in one unnerving incident when he protects Billie from a bully on the grounds of Umbrella’s school. It isn’t exactly the Wesker from the games, but he is adequately threatening and the most compelling character due to his conflict with Umbrella’s solitary, progress-at-all-costs ethos. Another highlight is Tamara Smart, who portrays the younger Jade. However, Smart goes a step further in her portrayal of her character to reveal the human side of her emotions. The bond she shares with her identical twin sister Billie is charming enough to serve as an emotional compass in an otherwise disorienting world.
However, despite great performances, the premiere in particular is guilty of introducing too much at once. Unlike the angsty adolescent world of Pretty Little Liars, Jade and Billie’s narrative is weighed down by a school drama subplot. Umbrella’s lab at night is significantly more interesting because they show is unsure of what tone to use. Restraints on utilising the Resident Evil DNA are also annoying. Wesker, the Umbrella, and the feared T-Virus are still around, but because of the timeframe (the Raccoon City Incident occurred decades ago), most of the legend has been sealed off. Is it any surprise that you won’t get to see the likes of Leon or Claire or Chris on the big screen again? Resident Evil’s joyously over-the-top source material necessitates a one-to-one adaptation, but this alternative — a generic post-apocalyptic drama – lacks spark in comparison. I don’t think Resident Evil is an excellent post-apocalyptic thriller. It’s not a zombie apocalypse to hide under the sofa from. Resident Evil fans will be disappointed. Trying to figure out what this programme is at this early stage (we received the first four episodes for review) is difficult. Is this something you should stay away from like the plague? There are a few bright spots to keep you interested, but overall, this is another entry in the growing pile of cheap video game adaptations.
Netflix will begin streaming Resident Evil on the 14th of July.