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Resident Evil: Afterlife

Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

In a world ravaged by a virus infection, turning its victims into the Undead, Alice continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the Undead takes them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of Undead - and Alice and her comrades are about to step into a deadly trap.

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Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Paul W. S. Anderson
Writer
  • Paul W. S. Anderson
Producer
  • Jeremy Bolt
  • Paul W. S. Anderson
  • Samuel Hadida
  • Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Don Carmody
  • Robert Kulzer
  • Bernd Eichinger

Reviews

Andres Gomez
4/10

As bad as the rest of the saga.

Tons of action and FX with brainless script and plenty of bad actors.

Mar 6, 2014

JPV852
5/10

Second time seeing this one, basically feel the same way, not terribly impressive effort, some spotty visual effects, a few silly fun moments however the finale looked like a poor Matrix copycat. But found some parts entertaining enough, just nothing all that memorable. **2.5/5**

Nov 20, 2020

Andre Gonzales
6/10

Still in the process of bringing the umbrella company down. Alice finds out about a safe haven from her rescuers.

Aug 8, 2023

RalphRahal
5/10

Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010) is a movie built entirely around its 3D experience, and that is both its strength and its downfall. The story takes a slightly better direction than the previous sequels, benefiting from W.S. Anderson’s return as director, but it still lacks depth. The movie leans fully into action and spectacle, with a focus on flashy sequences rather than strong storytelling. Watching it in 3D, the visuals and effects shine, giving a level of immersion that helps mask the flaws, but in 2D, it loses much of its impact and starts to feel more like a video game cutscene than a cinematic experience.

The cinematography and editing are more controlled than in the last two films, making the action at least watchable without feeling overly chaotic. Slow motion is used heavily, almost excessively, but in the 3D format, it works as intended. The film’s standout moment is the chained hammer attack, which delivers one of the most memorable uses of 3D, making it a rare scene that actually evokes a reaction. While the direction is better, the script remains simplistic, offering just enough to move the story along without any real depth.

Milla Jovovich once again carries the film, keeping it entertaining with her presence and well-executed action sequences. The supporting cast is there, but nothing particularly stands out. The soundtrack keeps the industrial rock vibe going, fitting well with the movie’s style. Overall, Afterlife is all about the 3D spectacle. If watched in its intended format, it is an enjoyable action-packed ride. In 2D, however, the flaws are much harder to ignore, making it a much weaker film when stripped of its biggest selling point.

Feb 3, 2025

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Thematic Analysis

This Action/Adventure/Horror/Science Fiction film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Resident Evil: Afterlife presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.

Director Paul W. S. Anderson brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2010, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Resident Evil: Afterlife took approximately 21 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • With a budget of $60.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 97 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 129 minutes long.
  • Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
  • The musical score contains over 43 unique compositions.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.

Historical Context

  • In 2010, when this film is released:
  • Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
  • Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
  • Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.

How This Film Stands Out

While Resident Evil: Afterlife shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike House of Wax, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Resident Evil: Afterlife subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like Night of the Comet and Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion explore similar territory, Resident Evil: Afterlife stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: September 9, 2010
  • Runtime: 1h 37m
  • Budget: $60,000,000
  • Revenue: $300,228,084