Austin Abrams has revealed just how dangerous some of the stunt work became while filming Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil. In an interview with Deadline, Abrams described one sequence involving a snow-covered road, falling zombies and limited traction as “harrowing,” explaining that even a small mistake could have ruined the carefully coordinated shot or caused an injury.
Abrams stars as Brian, an original character who was created for Cregger’s interpretation of the Resident Evil universe. The actor previously worked with Cregger on Weapons, and he said returning for another horror project with the filmmaker felt natural despite the considerably larger scope of the new movie.
Austin Abrams Had to Run Through a Dangerous Zombie Stunt
One of the most challenging sequences required Abrams to run across a wet, snow-covered surface while performers portraying zombies fell from rooftops around him. The scene combined real and artificial snow, while Abrams was wearing sneakers that offered little traction.
“I would say, it’s harrowing, man,”
Abrams told Deadline. He explained that he had to maintain a specific pace while ensuring he did not slip, particularly because multiple moving elements had to happen at precisely the right moment.
“You don’t wanna f*ck up the shot,”
Abrams said, adding that he also had to be careful because
“you don’t wanna make a wrong move or something goes wrong.”
The sequence had previously been discussed by Cregger, who revealed that a mistake during the stunt could have had extremely serious consequences for Abrams. The actor’s comments provide another perspective on how much physical coordination was required to bring the scene to the screen.
Brian Gives Austin Abrams a New Perspective on Resident Evil
Abrams also admitted that he was not previously a Resident Evil fan in the traditional sense. He had not watched the earlier movies and had avoided the games because he found the horror experience too intense.
The actor recalled playing Dead Space and becoming overwhelmed by its opening sections, saying the experience
“really goddamn rocks your nervous system.”
Preparing for Resident Evil therefore became an opportunity for Abrams to familiarize himself with a franchise he had previously avoided.
His character Brian was also unlike the established figures from the games. Cregger described Brian as an “avatar” for himself, but Abrams said the role still needed to feel like a complete person rather than an empty vessel.
The actor explained that the challenge was determining
“who do you want to see go through this,”
allowing Brian to have his own personality, emotional weight and motivations.
Brian’s personal story also becomes important as the horror escalates. According to Abrams, the character begins the film afraid of taking the next major step in his relationship, only to be forced into situations where survival becomes the immediate priority.
Abrams said those extreme circumstances allow Brian to reconsider what he actually wants from his life.
The Resident Evil Movie Uses Practical Horror Elements
Abrams also highlighted the practical sets and creature work used during production. He particularly praised the sewer sequence, including a large creature that he said looked remarkably real on set.
The snowy environment was another element he enjoyed despite the difficulties of filming there. Abrams compared its visual appeal to The Shining, explaining that snow can create an immediate feeling that characters should not be outside.
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is now playing in theaters, with Abrams leading the film as Brian alongside the movie’s new interpretation of the franchise’s horror world.
| Release Date | September 18, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Studio | Columbia Pictures, Constantin Film, TriStar Pictures |
| Director | Zach Cregger |
| Writer(s) | Zach Cregger, Shay Hatten |
