Framestore Pictures director Rich Lee has partnered with Capcom and Nomadic Agency to create a live-action trailer for Resident Evil: Requiem — a three-minute short that has already sparked significant fan response ahead of its official release.
Rather than portraying zombies as disposable monsters, Rich’s approach explores who they were before the outbreak — reframing Raccoon City through the lives once lived within it.
Set in 1998, the film stars Scream Queen Maika Monroe (Longlegs, It Follows, Watcher) as a single mother navigating the final hours before — and the devastating aftermath of — the outbreak. A longtime Resident Evil fan, Rich embedded subtle Easter eggs throughout, rewarding repeat viewings for dedicated audiences.
Shot over two days in Mexico City, the production meticulously recreated 1990s Raccoon City, grounding the story in practical locations before expanding into a haunting post-apocalyptic landscape realized through bespoke virtual environments designed by Rich and his team. The seamless blend of physical production and original VAD fully immerses audiences in a world that feels both expansive and deeply personal.
On crafting the short film, Rich shares:
“For me, it was about revealing the lives that existed before everything fell apart — the families, routines, and small moments that made Raccoon City feel real. We wanted audiences to feel what was lost beneath the horror while still honoring the game. From the art direction to the performances to the hidden Easter eggs, every detail was designed to immerse fans in a world that’s both nostalgic and emotionally resonant.”
_______________________________________________________________________________
Studio: Framestore
LinkedIn: Framestore Pictures
Director: Rich Lee