Two teaser trailers for the latest installment of the Resident Evil franchise appeared simultaneously online, and fans of the beloved series reacted with strong emotions to the new adaptation.
The American streaming platform Netflix released two preview clips for the series Resident Evil. Departing from prior adaptations, the central figures in this version are the children of Albert Wesker, a leading antagonist in the game lineup. In the game universe, Wesker did not have a family, yet the live-action series centers on his two daughters, Jade and Billy. As they accompany their father to the newly revived Raccoon City, he pursues scientific experiments. The visuals from the trailers suggest that one of the sisters faces a serious illness. The narrative unfolds across two timelines: in 2022, Jade and Billy reside in Raccoon City, while in 2036 one of them struggles to survive in a London ravaged by the T virus outbreak. The trailers also bring back familiar foes from the game, including the undead, aggressive Dobermans, and other grotesque creatures. This framing foreshadows a blend of classic horror imagery with a new family-centered arc.
In the second trailer, viewers are treated to a scene inside the Umbrella Corporation’s leadership circle. Albert Wesker introduces a new medicine named Joy. The claim is that Joy boosts productivity and alleviates anxiety and mood disturbances, yet the serum harbors the T virus. Wesker explicitly states that the drug mutates people into monsters, while a company employee quips that the packaging would need a warning label. This setup positions the series as a cautionary tale about corporate experimentation and the cost of unchecked power.
Audience reaction to both teasers has been deeply divided. One clip drew a fraction of the engagement of the other, and social commentary from fans centers on the perceived distance from the source material. Critics and enthusiasts alike point to shifts in tone, altered character dynamics, and the new focus on Wesker’s offspring as departures from the original games. The consensus among many fans is that the atmosphere, plot direction, and Wesker’s redesigned portrayal diverge from what they remember from the games.
The adaptation is scheduled to debut on Netflix on July 14, with eight episodes planned for the first season. The cast features Lance Reddick in the role of Albert Wesker, a name familiar to fans of action cinema and modern thrillers. The sisters Jade and Billy are portrayed by Ella Balinska and Tamara Smart, respectively. This casting marks a notable shift in the franchise’s live-action approach, emphasizing a family-centered narrative while retaining the franchise’s core horror elements.