Horror is a pinnacle genre in the video game industry. Providing unique plot lines, character arcs, and creative story-telling through gameplay, the horror genre has provided the world with cult classics likeAmnesia,Resident Evil,Silent Hill, andDead Space.
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Though it is not done as often as it should be, sometimes these games are translated onto the bigger screen. Ambitious directors take on the task of turning these terrifying yet dynamic games into films. While a few of these films fall flat, others become classics that work well as a movie.
10Resident Evil (2002)
The Resident Evil series is perhaps the most adapted for the big screen. With six live-action films under its belt, the first film still takes the honor of being the best one. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, this 2002 flick combines the camp of Capcom’s Resident Evil with tense action-horror scenes.
Milla Jovovich stars as the suffering amnesiac, Alice, who awakens in a deserted mansion reminiscent of the original building from the first game. As the T-virus plagues the secret underground Umbrella facility, Alice and a group of Umbrella Corporation commandos must fight to contain the outbreak. The first installment to the film series does justice to the game with its strength being in its simplicity.
Keiji Inafune’sDead Risingis a popular zombie horror survival game. Zach Lipovsky brings the game to life in a surprisingly decent yet camp adaptation. While the zombie acting is a little sub-par, the film uses the quirky, light-hearted, and not-too-serious sensibilities of the original game to its advantage.
Set between the events of Dead Rising 2 and Dead Rising 3, the film follows journalist, Chase, and his camera operator, Jordan, as they try to expose the government’s attempts to contain a zombie virus. When the vaccine fails to stop the outbreak, the crew must team up with survivors to escape this zombie-filled town.
8Ao Oni (2014)
This niche entry was adapted from the puzzle freeware horror game, Ao Oni, developed by noprops. With a cult following online in Japan, the game was adapted into a live-action movie in 2014 and holds a dear place in fans' hearts. Only an hour long, director Daisuke Nibayashi packs in the ambiance and anticipation of the game into this Japanese adaptation.
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While it may not be the best horror film of all time, it does justice to the game by replicating its atmosphere and story. Six high school students find themselves trapped in a deserted mansion where the Ao Oni (blue demon) chases them.
7Silent Hill: Revelation (2012)
The sequel to the first Silent Hill is an adaptation of the horror anthology survival games by Konami. Director M. J. Bassett infuses the eeriness of the Silent Hill series into this film. Fans may recognize familiar faces like Kit Harrington and Sean Bean starring in it
While the sequel does not surpass the first one in terms of horror and spook, the story is just as gripping. The plot follows Heather Mason who, upon discovering her identity is false, is drawn back into the demonic town of Silent Hill.
The first animated entry in the list is Chuck Patton’sDead Space: Downfall. The video game series by Visceral Games showcased how the silence, isolation, and anticipation of monsters in outer space is just as scary, if not scarier, than the monster itself.
The prequel, taking place during the events of Dead Space: Extraction and the Dead Space comics, shows the beginning of how the Necromorph infection spread to the USG Ishimura. Fans of the series will enjoy this gory animated feature which explains how the crews from the initial game were wiped out.
5Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)
An unexpected yet surprisingly pleasant film is this recent reboot by Johannes Roberts. Not to be confused with the other RE films, which are a part of the same series, this seventh live-action one is a strong contender. The reboot brings beloved characters back to the big screen with Kaya Scodelario as the spunky Claire Redfield, Avan Jogia as Leon Kennedy, and Robbie Amell as Chris Redfield.
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Set amidst the infamouszombie outbreak in Raccoon City, Claire and her brother must survive while uncovering the truths about the experiments being held there. This reboot does a great job of combining the horror of the zombies with the traditional theatrical action RE is known for.
4Doom (2005)
This iconic film is one horror fans and video game connoisseurs can unite together to enjoy. Based on the legendary science fictionDoomseries by id Software, this adaptation stars Karl Urban, Dwayne Johnson, and Rosamund Pike.
Director Andrzej Bartkowiak continues the legacy of the series in a story which follows a group of marines who are sent on a rescue mission to a facility on Mars. What awaits there are demonic-like creatures akin to the ones from the game. This film is great as a standalone but is a worthy homage to the game too.
3Resident Evil: Damnation (2012)
While everyone is aware of the live-action RE films, the animated ones slip under the radar due to Capcom’s lack of promotion. Using motion capture and 3D, director Makoto Kamiya created a feature-length film foreshadowing the events of Resident Evil 6 while staying true to the series.
Everyone’s favoriteDSO agent, Leon Kennedyreturns to the screen with the same character model from RE6. Defying government orders, Leon investigate bio-organic weapons in the Eastern Slav Republic. This biopunk film replaces Claire from Resident Evil: Damnation with the enigmatic Ada Wong. Kamiya, who consulted Capcom on the characters to make them more consistent with the game, made a film with the fans in mind.
2Silent Hill (2006)
Returning to the list is the first of the Silent Hill series. This 2006 adaptation of the popular horror game series by Konami is a cult classic in the horror genre. Director, Christophe Gans showed how, when executed properly, the transition of a video game to film can be seamless.
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The film is an eerie nightmare brought to life. When Rose and her daughter, Sharon, leave their house to move to the quiet town of Silent Hill, an accident knocks Rose unconscious. When she awakens, she realizes that her daughter is missing. The film brings iconic monsters likePyramid Headonto the wider screen in a truly horrifying film murky with the secrets of Silent Hill.
1Detention (2019)
This Taiwanese supernatural horror film was adapted from the popular Red Candle Games' title. Detention is an atmospheric horror game which prays on your vulnerability through incorporating Taiwanese culture and mythology. The film, directed by John Hsu, is creepy, terrifying, and worth all the spooks.
Set during the Martial Law era of 1960s Taiwan, a group of students joins an underground book club hosted by the school counselor. When the counselor mysteriously vanishes, the student must find him whilst being plagued by ghosts and spirits. A unique and refreshing film which uses Taiwanese lore to keep the hairs on the back of your neck standing at all times.
