Netflix has declared a serious obsession with zombie apocalypse projects following its string of launches that include titles like Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, prequel Army of Thieves, the Korean drama, All of Us Are Dead, and now, the Resident Evil series. However, after a mediocre run on the streaming platform, the show failed to gather a good enough rating to warrant renewal for the second season.
Netflix Delivers a Paltry Adaptation of Resident Evil
A poor and tepid take on director Paul W.S. Anderson’s movies of the same name, Netflix’s Resident Evil fails to deliver the same thrill that actor Milla Jovovich had managed to bring to the screens. Adapted from the Capcom-owned Japanese video game franchise, the rights to the original action-horror movies were acquired in January 1998, and the first film of the series launched in 2002. Spanning the course of 14 years and 6 movies, the films are treasured as an understated cult favorite.
Also read: Resident Evil on Netflix: A Fresh Take on a Tired Franchise
However, the series which serves as an aftermath event of the films, and launches its individual take on the story of the new T-virus epidemic, was not received with the expected enthusiasm as its parent predecessor. Placed in the same timeline, the zombie apocalyptic-action series was awarded a paltry 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and fails to maintain a lasting impression on the viewers.
Lance Reddick Speaks Out in Defense of Resident Evil
Actor Lance Reddick is described by the critique website Rotten Tomatoes as one who quickly rose through the ranks with a string of intense, yet diverse characters on some of television’s most respected series. And so, in a melee of passable acting, Reddick becomes the only one who stands out in this latest Netflix project. His character also holds additional value as Wesker had already met his demise in the canonical timeline and returns as a clone in the current one.
However, with the series now canceled, the actor voices his concern about the show becoming prey to racism stating, “The haters and the trolls notwithstanding, I want to give a special thank you to all the fans who watched the show.” Twitter, on the other hand, was steadfast in its opinion about the Netflix adaptation.
I'm sorry, who are the haters? The video game fans who were hoping for a good adaptation? The previous movies fans that expected something better?
— André Valle (@valle_andrewS) August 28, 2022
We have now a lot of projects that specifically detail what NOT to do in a Resident Evil adaptation, and yet producers and studios just KEEP making more and more mistakes trying to play agendas instead of focusing on what the fans have been very vocal about craving in a show
— Nathan Tarin (@TarinASF) August 28, 2022
I have no problem with other forms of media taking different approaches with a franchise but it seemed a protracted, bland and mechanical approach in this case. Really didn’t grab me at all, what demographic werethey going for?
— Britt Roberts (@BrittRecluseuk) August 28, 2022
he has potential, the show didn't, go back to John wick..
— MgCrOl (@MgCrOl) August 28, 2022
Being apart of a shitty TV show then receiving criticism is not being hated on or trolling. Perhaps try a better way to salvage your fragile ego? Lance Reddick being in that trash was a waste of talent anyway. He should be happy.
— Joe (leave/me/alone) (@joehyden) August 28, 2022
For now, commentaries on the show have been middling since the Netflix adaptation failed to gain any traction in the first place. With a limited viewership and Netflix’s subscriber count already dwindling, the streaming platform has been increasingly focused on delivering romcoms and teenage-focused dramas in its recent timeline. It’s not surprising that Resident Evil joins the side pile of numerous shows that failed to take off amongst the audience.
Resident Evil is now streaming on Netflix.
Source: Lance Reddick
