Austin Abrams Discusses Risky Ending of Zach Cregger's Resident Evil Reboot

Actor Austin Abrams said the ending of Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil reboot takes a risk by killing off its protagonist, a move he believes modern studios often avoid. He told The Hollywood Reporter that the film’s choice to let the main character die “is really risky and gutsy,” and he appreciated that the director and Sony were willing to “twist the knife” for the audience.

Abrams, who also stars in the upcoming survival thriller Whalefall, described both projects as demanding, noting that Resident Evil’s blend of comedy and horror helped balance the workload. He added that the film’s final scene, in which the infected courier records a heartfelt voicemail for his pregnant girlfriend, underscores a tragic irony: the character’s love is never revealed to her.

The actor highlighted that contemporary movies often soften such blows to protect test-screening scores, whereas older films were more willing to “rip your heart out.” He praised Cregger’s willingness to take narrative risks, saying it aligns with the director’s overall style.

Abrams also recounted a near-miss on set, recalling a 150-pound blood bag that nearly struck him during a stunt, and explained that the intense physical demands of both films required a “short window” of preparation and quick turnarounds between shoots.

Overall, Abrams expressed gratitude for being part of a project that challenges conventional storytelling and pushes genre boundaries.