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Resident Evil 7: The End or Just The Beginning?

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Any gamer and fan of Let’s Plays can look on their subscription feeds on YouTube and look across an ocean of Resident Evil 7: BioHazard plays, as far as the eye can see. There’s a reason for that. I am a HUGE fan of this game franchise. And I must warn you, continue only if you have beaten the game or you do not mind spoilers because…SPOILERS AHEAD.

These games have always scared me, since Resident Evil on Playstation. I remember being nine-years-old, my dad handing me the controller, I’d hear a moan or a growl and throw my controller at my dad and hide my face. Regardless of my intense love for the horror genre, not much has changed when it comes to this game.

I was so excited when I heard they were returning to their scary roots, I called my dad and told him we would have to play but expect it to be like old times. Unfortunately, my father passed away right before the game released, but I bravely(ish) played this game for him, hoping he could see.

Resident Evil 7 delivered: it was terrifying, the villains were intense (looking at you grandma, I know this boiler room isn’t wheelchair accessible, so how the hell did you get here?), and even though the beginning seems a far cry from other Resident Evil games, it was tied up in a beautiful Umbrella Corp. bow.

Resident Evil 7

(image credit: sg.finance.yahoo.com)

But, we’re not here to review; we’re here to talk about the ending. In the end, after Eveline mutated to take over the entire house and she has you pinned, you get a call on your wrist monitor telling you to use a mysterious pistol (one called the Albert 01-R…I see what you did there Capcom and I like it) that has appeared near you. You shoot her, she calcifies and a helicopter appears.

A soldier drops out of the helicopter, fully stocked and gas-masked (wait, that uniform looks familiar) and calls himself “Redfield.” But this doesn’t look like the Chris Redfield we know and love, before or after the RE5 revamp. He is in an Umbrella Corp. helicopter, but instead of the red and white insignia, it’s been changed to blue and white and they are there to “clean up the mess.”

Resident Evil 7

(Image credit: gameinformer.com)

This all leaves us with some questions: Who is Redfield? Did Umbrella make Eveline or could Tricell be back? Did Umbrella switch to the good side? Did Ethan work for Umbrella while Mia worked for another?

Who is Redfield?

Let’s go at this one question at a time. First, the popular theory is that “Redfield” is actually HUNK. Known for his use of gas masks, his blondish hair, his sub-machine gun, and his work with The Umbrella Corp.

If the character model for Redfield is compared with the character model for HUNK in RE3, the resemblance is startling and I can’t imagine Capcom would use two similar faces for two very important characters.

Resident Evil 7

(Image credit: eurogamer.net)

There is a DLC coming soon called “Not a Hero” starring none other than our boy Redfield, so I’m sure more answers will come to light when his story is revealed. If it is HUNK, then either he is using the name Redfield or is actually IS a Redfield and that opens up a whole new can of worms.

If it is Chris, why is he working for Umbrella and not B.S.A.A? Is it a truly a revamped Umbrella or did Chris go change sides?

Who made Eveline?

By the end of the game, you actually kind of feel bad for Eveline. Made from an actual human embryo injected with a newly discovered, highly regenerative fungus, she is a real person with extraordinary abilities. Now, while Umbrella has always worked with regeneration, they’ve stuck to viruses (G-Virus, T-Virus, etc.) in the past.

Resident Evil 7

(Image credit: noobist.com)

When Tricell picked up the baton, it was a parasite (Las Plagas and Uroboros) and everything was derived from a plant. Mold isn’t really Umbrella’s M.O. but could possibly be Tricell’s or a new company. By hinting at it in the game, it would seem that Lucas worked for one of these companies and sold out Eveline to a competing company but none are named.

Did Umbrella really leave the dark side?

That might be impossible to answer until the DLC is released. Obviously the company has gotten reworked, but for what purpose remains a mystery. It is apparent that Umbrella has been watching the testing facility under the salt mine because helicopters with the insignia were spotted by the miners.

Do Ethan and Mia both work for bioweapon companies?

The answer to Mia is easy, of course she works for the company that created Eveline. She was working as her “babysitter” to move her to Central America before Eveline got out of control. The company is never named but it seems apparent she kept it from her husband.

Ethan, however, is a different story. For the average Joe, he seems really confident to go into this plantation alone, seems cool with getting his hand chain-sawed off, and doesn’t seem too surprised when his thought-to-be-dead wife goes ape-shit and attacks him.

But what really sticks in my craw is what he said when Redfield showed up. When he zips down from the helicopters, Redfield says, “I’m glad we found you.” Cut to black and you hear Ethan say, “The fuck took you guys so long?” Check out the final boss fight and scene I’m talking about.

That, to me, says familiarity and expectation, not “OMG I’VE HAD THE NIGHT FROM HELL GET ME OUT OF HERE AND I NEVER WANT TO SEE A BUG OR EVEN MOLDY PIECE OF BREAD AGAIN!” None of it goes down easy, and it leaves more questions than answers, a sure set up for another game.

Hopefully, some of these questions in Resident Evil 7 will be answered with “Not a Hero.” At least between the “Redfield” reference and the mention of Raccoon City in game, we know it’s the same universe 19 years after the events of Resident Evil 1-3.

Now, go! Play Resident Evil 7, form your theories and let us know what you think the end means. It will be interesting to see how it all turns out. And if you can’t get enough Resident Evil 7, check out the new DLC.

(Featured image courtesy of saglamoyun.com)

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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