In a major marketing move, Capcom has collaborated with Longlegs and It Follows star Maika Monroe for a haunting live-action trailer titled “Evil Has Always Had a Name.” Directed by Rich Lee, the short film functions as a standalone prequel to the events of Resident Evil Requiem, depicting the initial chaos of the Raccoon City outbreak from the perspective of an ordinary civilian.
Monroe portrays a mother trapped in the 1990s nightmare of ground zero. Unlike the seasoned protagonists of the game, Monroe’s character provides a “snackable” story about the human cost of the T-virus. The trailer features visceral practical effects—including a three-hour prosthetic transformation for a zombified Monroe—and cameos from iconic creatures like Lickers.
“It really felt like chaos,” Monroe told Entertainment Weekly, describing a set filled with smoke machines, dogs, and dozens of extras in zombie makeup. The short ends on a tragic note, humanizing the infected in a way that aligns with Requiem’s new gameplay focus on “fixated” zombies who retain fragments of their former human personalities.
The live-action short is part of a massive viral campaign involving red posters and QR codes in Times Square and Hollywood, all leading up to the game’s worldwide launch on February 27, 2026.
The Dual-Protagonist System Resident Evil Requiem marks a return to the series’ roots while pushing the narrative 30 years past the Raccoon City incident. Players will swap between two leads:
Grace Ashcroft: A young FBI analyst and daughter of RE Outbreak’s Alyssa Ashcroft. Her gameplay is a “pure” survival horror experience centered on vulnerability and resource management, reminiscent of Resident Evil 2.
Leon S. Kennedy: Now a hardened veteran, Leon’s campaign leans into the intense, tactical combat pioneered in Resident Evil 4, featuring parries, martial arts, and even the ability to use a chainsaw against his foes.
Capcom is ensuring Requiem is accessible across all modern hardware, including a day-one launch on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Standard Edition ($69.99): Includes the base game and the “Apocalypse” pre-order costume for Grace.
Deluxe Edition ($79.99): Features the “Deluxe Kit,” including five character costumes (notably a Lady Dimitrescu outfit for Grace and an RE4 look for Leon), four weapon skins, cinematic screen filters, and the “Raccoon City Classic” audio pack to restore retro music and sound effects.
The Generation Pack (Switch 2 Exclusive): A special bundle containing Requiem, Resident Evil 7 Gold Edition, and Resident Evil Village Gold Edition.
Resident Evil Requiem launches February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
