‘Resident Evil movies? I’ve never seen one’: Weapons director Zach Cregger on resurrecting the beloved zombie franchise

Zach Cregger, whose artistic roots lie in punk culture, alternative comedy, and religious upbringing, brings an unconventional Lynchian flair to horror. Following two strikingly original box office successes, his decision to adapt a three-decade-old video game franchise has stirred intense reactions among devoted fans.

In 2022, Cregger’s directorial debut Barbarian made a strong impression, earning $46 million globally and drawing praise from horror enthusiasts. His follow-up, Weapons, released in 2025, surpassed its predecessor’s performance. Industry excitement around the project escalated into a heated bidding war; reports indicate Jordan Peele was eager to produce the film and, frustrated by losing the rights, allegedly dismissed his representatives. The rumors spread rapidly, generating extraordinary publicity that propelled the film far beyond box office projections and secured an Academy Award—Amy Madigan’s portrayal of the iconic villain Aunt Gladys, with her blunt fringe and bonsai-pruning mannerisms, won Best Supporting Actress.

Even without a crossover awards success, anticipation for Cregger’s next project would remain palpable. Barbarian and Weapons each tackled controversial subjects—sexual assault and school shootings, respectively—while defying straightforward interpretations. Both narratives initially appeared to follow a conventional path before veering unexpectedly in new directions. With only two feature films, Cregger has built a reputation for producing deeply unsettling, unpredictable, and—crucially—truly original cinema.