Is it possible that a three-minute promotional clip just put decades of Hollywood movies to shame? If you’ve seen the new live-action trailer for Resident Evil Requiem, you might be nodding your head. Capcom just dropped this short film, titled “Evil Has Always Had a Name,” and it hits on a level that the flashy, over-produced big screen versions never quite reached.
Key Takeaways
- Live-Action Return: Capcom has released a stunning live-action short film titled “Evil Has Always Had a Name” to promote the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem.
- Horror Pedigree: The trailer stars Maika Monroe (Longlegs, It Follows) and is directed by acclaimed music video director Rich Lee, focusing on a tragic mother-daughter story during the 1998 Raccoon City outbreak.
- Atmospheric Benchmark: Fans are hailing the short for its gritty, emotional realism, with many claiming it captures the “true” Resident Evil spirit better than previous big-budget film adaptations.
A Masterclass in Dread
Instead of focusing on over-the-top stunts, the trailer follows a mother, played by Maika Monroe, trying to navigate the initial chaos of the Raccoon City outbreak. It’s messy. It’s loud. It feels like a genuine nightmare. Monroe, who has basically become a modern “Scream Queen,” brings a level of raw vulnerability that makes the inevitable tragedy feel heavy.
The direction by Rich Lee strips away the “superhero” feel of past films. We see zombies and Lickers not as cannon fodder, but as genuine, terrifying obstacles in a crumbling city. There’s a real love for that 90s aesthetic here—it’s the kind of thick, grimy nostalgia that speaks directly to anyone who stayed up too late playing the original games. While this trailer captures the isolation of a solo struggle, Resident Evil has always been better when you aren’t facing the darkness alone. If this grimy atmosphere makes you want to grab a partner and dive into some survival horror, you should check out our list of the best titles to tackle with your crew to see which ones stand the test of time.
Why This Hits Harder Than the Movies
There is something about this trailer that works because it isn’t trying to be an Avengers-style epic. It keeps the stakes small and personal. By focusing on a mother and daughter, it reminds us that the Raccoon City incident wasn’t just a backdrop for cool gunfights—it was a horrific disaster for everyone living there. The makeup work on the zombies, which apparently took hours to apply, looks practical and disgusting in the best way possible.
Is this the tone the movies should have had all along? It certainly feels like it. With Resident Evil Requiem launching on February 27 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2, this short, haunting glimpse into that world has set a very high bar for the game itself.
What do you think? Does this live-action short make you wish we had a full movie with this exact vibe? Let us know in the comments and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more Resident Evil updates!
Sources:
- www.insider-gaming.com/resident-evil-requiem-live-action-trailer-is-as-tragic-as-it-is-terrifying/
- www.ew.com/maika-monroe-resident-evil-requiem-live-action-trailer-exclusive-11896452
- www.residentevil.com/requiem/en-us/
- www.fangoria.com/maika-monroe-resident-evil-requiem-short/
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