Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)

Plot Summary (No Spoilers)

Set in the late 1990s, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City takes audiences back to where the franchise’s nightmare began. Raccoon City was once built around the pharmaceutical powerhouse Umbrella Corporation. Since the company pulled out, it has become a fading Midwestern town that is slowly emptying into a ghost town. Beneath that quiet decline, something far more dangerous has been developing out of sight.

Over a single night, the town’s hidden past comes to the surface. An infection begins to spread and Raccoon City goes into lockdown. Claire Redfield, her brother Chris, Jill Valentine, Leon Kennedy and others are drawn into the chaos and must fight to stay alive. Their search for answers leads them through locations fans of the games will recognise, including the Raccoon City police station, a foreboding mansion and an orphanage connected to secret experiments. As they move through these places, the survivors start to piece together what Umbrella left behind. The film blends zombie horror, mutant threats and action into a story about survival and buried secrets.

What Makes It Notable

• A franchise reboot: The film restarts the live-action Resident Evil series. Writer-director Johannes Roberts draws more directly on the source video games, especially their setting and characters.
• Familiar characters from the games: The ensemble cast includes Kaya Scodelario as Claire Redfield, Hannah John-Kamen as Jill Valentine, Robbie Amell as Chris Redfield and Tom Hopper as Albert Wesker. Avan Jogia plays Leon Kennedy and Lily Gao plays Ada Wong.
• Supporting cast: Donal Logue (Chief Irons), Neal McDonough (William Birkin), Chad Rook (Richard Aiken) and Marina Mazepa (Lisa Trevor).
• Genre mix: The film combines action, horror and science fiction, with biological weapons, mutants and an outbreak at its centre.
• International production: It is a Germany–United States–Canada co-production from Constantin Film, Screen Gems and Davis Raccoon Films. The film is in English and runs 107 minutes.
• Rating: It is rated R in the US.
• Stay for the credits: There is an extra scene during the credits.

Review Snapshot: What Audiences Say

On TMDB, the film has an average audience score of roughly 5.9 out of 10, based on more than 2,900 votes. That suggests a mixed response. Viewers looking for a game-faithful, retro horror tone may get more out of it than those expecting the style of the earlier live-action films.

Who Will Enjoy It

• Fans of the Resident Evil games who want to see familiar characters and locations in live action
• Viewers who like zombie and outbreak horror with a 1990s setting
• Audiences who enjoy action-horror mixed with sci-fi ideas such as secret experiments and bioweapons
• People curious about video game adaptations and franchise reboots
• Adult horror fans who are comfortable with R-rated content

Release Date & Where to Watch

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City opened in US cinemas on 24 November 2021. It came out on digital on 21 December 2021 and on physical media on 8 February 2022.

In the US, the film is currently available on these services:

• Streaming: Hulu, fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow and the Starz Apple TV channel
• Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home and Plex
• Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home

Streaming availability can change, so check your preferred platform before watching.

Trailer

Cast

• Kaya Scodelarioas Claire Redfield
• Hannah John-Kamenas Jill Valentine
• Robbie Amellas Chris Redfield
• Tom Hopperas Albert Wesker
• Avan Jogiaas Leon Kennedy
• Donal Logueas Chief Irons
• Neal McDonoughas William Birkin
• Lily Gaoas Ada Wong

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City released?

It premiered in US cinemas on 24 November 2021. It was released on digital on 21 December 2021 and on physical media on 8 February 2022.

Where can I watch Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City in the US?

You can stream it on Hulu, fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow and the Starz Apple TV channel. It is also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home, and to rent on Plex.

Who is in the cast of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City?

The cast includes Kaya Scodelario (Claire Redfield), Hannah John-Kamen (Jill Valentine), Robbie Amell (Chris Redfield), Tom Hopper (Albert Wesker), Avan Jogia (Leon Kennedy), Lily Gao (Ada Wong), Donal Logue and Neal McDonough.

How long is Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City and what is it rated?

The film runs 107 minutes and is rated R in the US.

Is there a scene during the credits?

Yes. There is an additional scene during the credits, so it is worth staying in your seat.

Sources

1. TMDB
2. IMDb