Zach Cregger has come a long way from his sketch comedy roots with The Whitest Kids U' Know. After making waves with his solo directorial debut, Barbarian, in 2022, he's now gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated Resident Evil adaptation next month. But before you dive into that, you might want to revisit the film that put him on the horror map—and it's currently streaming on HBO Max.
Barbarian follows Tess (Georgina Campbell), who arrives at a rental home late at night only to find it already occupied by a stranger named Keith (Bill Skarsgård). With few options, she reluctantly agrees to share the space. But when she stumbles upon a hidden door in the basement, she uncovers something far more sinister lurking beneath the surface.
What makes Barbarian so effective is its ability to keep you guessing. The film starts as a tense, grounded thriller, then takes a sharp turn into the bizarre after that basement discovery. Cregger intentionally avoided outlining the script to keep audiences on their toes, a technique he borrowed from his sketch comedy days. As he told Creative Screenwriting, "I got bored of my own movie. I was like, if I see this coming, then the audience sees this coming, so I need something to happen here."
The film's atmosphere is a masterclass in tension. Cregger described the tone as "David Fincher upstairs, Sam Raimi downstairs," and that duality is evident in the camerawork and lighting. The claustrophobic, shadow-drenched basement sequences feel like a completely different movie from the naturalistic, flowing shots above ground. It's this distinctive style that likely caught the attention of the Resident Evil producers, as fans have noted the similarities between Barbarian's underground horrors and the iconic game series.
Beyond the scares, Barbarian also weaves in a social commentary about the dark history of the house, reminiscent of Jordan Peele's Get Out. Justin Long's character, AJ, becomes entangled in the story through this thematic thread, adding depth without overwhelming the entertainment value. While Cregger has since moved away from such overt social messages, Barbarian remains a fascinating one-off experiment.
If you're looking for more thrillers to tide you over, check out our list of the best thrillers since 2010 or dive into some heist thrillers with jaw-dropping twists. And for those who appreciate a good slow-burn, Barbarian is a perfect pick.
So, before you head to the theater for Resident Evil, give Barbarian another look—or a first one if you've missed it. It's a testament to Cregger's talent and a thrilling ride from start to finish.
