Does Resident Evil Have an Ending? Exploring the Franchise’s Complex Narrative
The simple answer is: it depends on which “Resident Evil” you’re talking about. The Resident Evil franchise, spanning video games, films, animated series, and a live-action Netflix show, does not have one definitive, unified ending. Instead, each medium and often each entry within those mediums, boasts its own narrative conclusion. This diverse approach has contributed to the series’ enduring popularity, but it also leads to confusion about a singular, overarching finale. Let’s break down how different iterations of Resident Evil conclude.
Examining the Multiple “Endings”
The sheer breadth of the Resident Evil universe means multiple narratives have come to a conclusion, each in its own way.
Video Game Endings: A Shifting Narrative
The core of the Resident Evil experience lies in the video games. The main series follows a largely sequential story but it is not without its spin-offs and side-stories. While some narrative arcs may conclude within specific games (for example, the destruction of Raccoon City in Resident Evil 3), the overall narrative continues to evolve, often introducing new threats and characters, and never truly ending. The remakes, like Resident Evil 2 (2019), often bring a new perspective to the classic story, but don’t serve as the overall culmination.
The games tend to end with immediate threats neutralized, and characters surviving to fight another day, leading to an open-ended feel for the ongoing battle against bio-terrorism. Some storylines, like the origins and motivations of the Umbrella Corporation, are resolved over the course of multiple games, but the global threat of bioweapons remains constant. The most recent numbered title, Resident Evil Village, concludes a particular storyline, but leaves many possibilities open for future installments. There is no ultimate antagonist defeated, or end of the bio-terror threat in any ending to the core game franchise.
The Netflix Series: A Sudden Cancellation
The Netflix live-action series, which premiered in 2022, offers an example of a narrative ending abruptly, not conclusively. The show follows two timelines: one in 2022, and another in 2036. In the 2022 timeline, Albert Wesker sacrifices himself to allow his daughters, Billie and Jade, and Bert to escape. This seems like a final act for that character. In the show’s present day timeline of 2036, it hints at a wider conflict and a deterioration of the relationships of the key characters. The series was canceled after just one season, leaving these plot threads dangling. This means there is an ending for some characters, but a distinct lack of resolution for the over arching story it introduced. There was no conclusion to the wider narrative.
The Movie Franchise: Alice’s Finale
The Resident Evil film franchise, starring Milla Jovovich as Alice, presents a different type of “ending.” The films are not part of the game’s continuity, instead, they’re an alternative take on the world. The movies culminate in Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016), where Alice ultimately releases an anti-virus, seemingly halting the zombie threat, while also destroying herself and key adversaries in the process, concluding her personal story arc. This can be considered a more finite conclusion compared to the games, but it’s important to note it’s separate from the main canon. The movie universe concludes the specific threat within it, but leaves open the possibility for further film or media interpretation.
Overall: No Unified Endgame
In short, there isn’t a single grand finale that ties everything together. Each version of Resident Evil tells its own story, often with its own start, middle, and end. The lack of a unified end point is by design; it allows the franchise to remain adaptable and to explore different themes and ideas within the broad umbrella (no pun intended) of bio-terror and survival horror. The series maintains a sense of constant tension and an ever evolving fight against the franchise’s unique antagonists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Resident Evil Endings
1. Is the Resident Evil series over?
No, the Resident Evil franchise is not over. While some specific iterations (like the Netflix series or the Alice-led film franchise) have ended, the core video game series is ongoing, with new titles and remakes continuing to be released. The franchise’s overall world is always being built upon.
2. Will there be a season 2 of the Resident Evil Netflix show?
No. The Netflix series was canceled after its first season due to a mixed critical reception and poor audience engagement. Therefore, there will be no season 2.
3. How do the Resident Evil movies end?
The film franchise starring Milla Jovovich ends with Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. Alice releases an anti-virus that kills the zombies and also destroys herself alongside major adversaries. This ends her story arc within the movie continuity.
4. What happened to Raccoon City in Resident Evil?
In both the games and the Netflix series, Raccoon City was the site of the original T-virus outbreak. The city was eventually destroyed to contain the spread of the virus, and any evidence of what happened was erased in a cover-up.
5. Are all Resident Evil movies connected?
Yes, the Resident Evil films, featuring Milla Jovovich, are connected and serve as sequels to each other. However, they are not connected to the video game canon or the other spin-off media. They take place in an alternate universe.
6. Why was the Resident Evil Netflix series canceled?
Although there’s no official reason, the Netflix series is believed to have been canceled due to mixed reviews, perceived poor dialogue and performances, a confusing narrative, and generally weak audience reception.
7. Is Resident Evil on Netflix a prequel or sequel?
The Netflix Resident Evil exists in its own separate timeline and is neither a direct prequel nor sequel to the games. It draws upon elements from the game series, but is not directly connected to any previous storyline. It is also separate from the film franchises.
8. What is different about the Resident Evil on Netflix from the games?
The Netflix series introduces an all-new story and timeline. While it uses elements like the Umbrella Corporation and key characters, it offers a unique interpretation of the universe, with new characters and plot lines. It does not directly adapt story elements from the video games.
9. Does Netflix Resident Evil follow the movies?
No, the Netflix series does not follow the movies. It exists in a completely separate continuity and does not reference the story or characters from the film franchise. They are two distinct interpretations of the Resident Evil universe.
10. Why is Alice not in the Resident Evil games?
Alice was created specifically for the movie franchise and is not a character in the Resident Evil games. The films take place in a different continuity and follow a different narrative to the core game franchise.
11. Is Billie immune to the T-Virus in the Netflix show?
Billie, in the Netflix show, is not fully immune but able to partially resist the undead urge due to the experiments that Umbrella had previously conducted upon her when she was younger.
12. Why did Billie Wesker turn evil in the Netflix show?
Billie is mauled by a zombie dog, resulting in her infection by the T-Virus. Her personality changes significantly as the infection worsens, driving her down a darker path.
13. What was the monster at the end of Resident Evil (Netflix)?
The monster at the end of the Netflix series is Angel Rubio, mutated into a Tyrant after being injected with the T-Virus by Albert Wesker.
14. How is Resident Evil Netflix connected to the games timeline wise?
The Netflix series timeline is set in a way that events of the games timeline happened roughly around the time they were released in the real world. This means that by the series events, the events of Resident Evil Village had already transpired one year prior.
15. What order should I play the Resident Evil games?
The generally accepted order for playing the games based on the main story line is:
- Resident Evil 0
- Resident Evil
- Resident Evil 2
- Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
- Resident Evil: Code Veronica
Conclusion
The concept of a singular ending for Resident Evil is a myth. Each facet of the franchise – games, movies, and TV shows – has its own story and conclusion. While some narratives reach more concrete endings than others, the core games continue to evolve. The enduring popularity of the franchise is because each branch has its own narrative, and not due to a unified grand finale. The lack of one conclusion ensures the franchise can continue to explore and adapt, bringing new stories, characters, and thrills for years to come.