Resident Evil and What's Making Us Happy
Summary
Host Stephen Thompson, Vulture critic Roxana Hadadi, and writer Jordan Morris discuss the new Resident Evil reboot, praising its horror-comedy tone, Austin Abrams' performance, and its smart adaptation of video game mechanics. The conversation highlights the film's balance of gore and humor, comparing it favorably to the Evil Dead franchise. In their "What's Making Us Happy" segment, the guests recommend the comic series Fixation, the family-friendly film Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, and Carly Rae Jepsen's new album Day and Night.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Capella University
Intro and guest introductions
Resident Evil reboot overview and plot summary
Jordan Morris on the film's tone and accessibility
Roxana Hadadi on horror comedy and director Zach Kregger
Visual style, pacing, and comparisons to other films
Comparison to The Evil Dead and horror comedy balance
Maternity ward scene and video game structure
Final boss fight and video game adaptation strengths
Cinematography and evoking gameplay perspective
Austin Abrams' performance and character analysis
Character focus vs. ensemble cast and fan service
Supporting cast and avoiding 'elevated horror' tropes
Conclusion on the film's fun factor and social commentary
Sponsors: BetterHelp, Jerry, Prolon, Arctic Wolf
What's Making Us Happy: Jordan recommends Fixation comic
What's Making Us Happy: Roxana recommends Shaun the Sheep
What's Making Us Happy: Stephen recommends Carly Rae Jepsen
Outro and credits
Sponsor: Total Wine and More
Sponsor: What If We Get It Right podcast
Listen ad-free on Castria