Video games and horror movies have made for some wonderful adaptations over the years but there has also been quite a lot of stinkers, we dive into a mix of both as we explore video game horror movies.
From controller to camera getting a video game onto the big screen is no easy feat from a production standpoint.
Doing a game justice that is steeped in fandom and lore is a huge pressure on production before a single frame has been shot.
In this exhaustive exploration, we will delve into the realm of video game horror movies, examining how these adaptations have navigated the transition from controller to camera with some doing the films justice and others a disservice.
Silent Hill
Directed by Christophe Gans and based on Konami’s iconic survival horror series, the film plunges audiences into the eerie town of Silent Hill, exploring its dark history and supernatural horrors.
What the movie did so beautifully (just like in the games) was capture the atmospheric dread. Utilising every effect to its highest potential to amplify the eerieness and impending sense of doom that the games so beautifully weaved was done to a tee within the movie.
Combine the unnerving visuals with an unsettling soundtrack, not to mention intricate creature design and Silent Hill is a standout game-to-film adaptation that shows a lot of the films in this particular article just how it’s done.
A film lovingly translated from game to film whilst keeping the essence of magic alive between both platforms of media.
It’s great when a film does the game justice as they complement each other beautifully and if the film is good then you’ll attract a larger audience to play the games and vice versa.
Alone in the Dark
From the highs of Silent Hill to the lows of Alone in the Dark and whilst the game was moderately successful the film went completely down under as it barely struggled to be a watchable experience let alone a solid adaptation of just about anything.
An impressive cast lineup of Christian Slater, Tara Reid and Stephen Dorff couldn’t save this particular adaptation as even 20 minutes is a struggle to sit through as this 2005 film from Uwe Boll is certainly one to forget for the German filmmaker.
It’s certainly not the last time that Uwe Boll will be making an appearance in this article. The director does love a video game-to-film adaptation!
To add insult to injury Alone in the Dark is voted as one of the worst films ever made by critics.
Resident Evil Series
Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson this is one film series that continues to impress me despite some rocky instalments along the way.
Blending action and horror in perfect harmony along with Milla Jovovich playing the role of Alice, a completely new character unique to the films the film racked up a very impressive box office total over the years with a gross total of $1.2 billion amassed despite mixed reviews.
It was once the highest-grossing film series based on a video game and the highest-grossing horror film series. It still to this day is the highest-grossing zombie film series.
Dead Rising Watchtower
One film I will not be watching anytime soon again is Dead Rising Watchtower, this Crackle-released film is a balls-to-the-walls romp that is certainly a seen it once and see it never again sort of film.
Endlessly trying to capture the madness of the game it just never hits the heights that the game set before it.
Zombie kills aplenty and military madness keeps you hooked for so long but the film title Dead Falling would be more apt as this film never rises to its potential at any point throughout its duration.
DOOM
Dwayne Johnson in his first big action role before leaping towards superstardom as Doom embraces the intense action that the classic video gamer shooter always delivered.
Horror-infused sci-fi at its absolute finest and whilst this film was absolutely panned for a multitude of reasons and deviated entirely from the game narrative it’s become somewhat of a guilty pleasure despite being an absolute cheese-fest for the majority.
Werewolves Within
This 2021 movie will have people looking at the title and going ‘I’ve never seen that’ and well, you’d be right as this obscure cult game was turned into a movie.
Engaging from start to finish this very small independent horror film stays true to the original game and has that tongue-in-cheek comedy about it.
A horror movie mystery that has a few twists and turns along the way makes Werewolves Within one of the better video game-to-film adaptations in this entire article!
House of the Dead
If you’ve ever been to an arcade where there’s a zombie game, two guns and some epic artwork around the gaming machine then chances are it’s House of the Dead.
This addictive shoot-um-up was placed in the hands of Uwe Boll (told you we’d be hearing his name again didn’t I?) and once again his outlandish style comes to the fold in a ridiculous yet extremely fun way.
Once again another Boll film that is so bad that it may be good (depending on how much alcohol is consumed beforehand) with video game footage chopped into the movie just for good measure.
House of the Dead is a drinking game just waiting to be played, take a sip for every stupid thing you see and you’ll be plastered within 30 minutes guaranteed.
Bloodrayne
A watchable Uwe Boll video game to film adaptation! Hallelujah!
Don’t get me wrong Bloodrayne is still fairly terrible but it’s watchable.
Replicating such films as Blade and Underworld this once popular video game didn’t really need to do much to impress its diehard fans, simply add a beautiful woman slaying vampires and you’re pretty much onto a winner!
Credit to Uwe Boll for continuing to make these movies with that never-give-up attitude despite the reception that many of them got.
I’m sure if I wrote this article in a few years time he’ll no doubt pop up again and bring his muse of a movie to the fold with aplomb.
Five Nights at Freddy’s
The most divisive horror movie of 2013 as some fans loved the Five Nights at Freddy’s adaptation and others loathed it.
I couldn’t stand it personally but it was a box office smash hit and that’s all the production companies care about nowadays.
Long gone are heartfelt pet projects made with care love and attention and long may corporate cash grabs and box office numbers taking priority over a genuinely decent and watchable film.
Don’t get me wrong, some gems do crop up now and again but they’re getting fewer and far between with every passing year.
Too many cooks in the kitchen for me with this one as the movie tries to cater too much to fans of the game so much that it diverts away from telling an interesting story.
Naturally, it became one of the biggest video game adaptations of all time (294.6M worldwide gross) and statistically, this now makes it look like a good movie.
Alas, it is not.
Detention
A surprise hit despite it being one of the lesser-known films contained in this video game horror movies article.
Adapting a 2D side scroller into a feature film must have been no easy task but Detention packs a punch.
Detention won the 56th Golden Horse Awards and out of most of the movies within this list, it’s one of (if not the) strongest of the lot.
As technology and storytelling techniques continue to evolve, the potential for compelling video game horror movies remains, and fans eagerly anticipate future adaptations that may bring their favourite virtual nightmares to life on the big screen.
