Resident Evil: Extinction (2007), directed by Russell Mulcahy, is the third film in the RE movie series and pushes the story into a full-blown post-apocalyptic wasteland. Below is a complete, detailed, SEO-friendly breakdown covering everything from the plot to behind-the-scenes trivia.
Detailed Summary
The World Has Fallen Into Ruin
The T-virus has wiped out most of humanity, turning Earth into a barren desert. The undead roam freely, and Umbrella Corporation continues experimenting underground. Humanity is scattered into nomadic caravans trying to survive in the wasteland.
Alice’s Wandering Life
Alice (Milla Jovovich) travels alone, avoiding detection because Umbrella is constantly hunting her due to her unique DNA that interacts with the T-virus in unpredictable ways. She begins to realize her powers—strength, agility, psychic abilities—are evolving beyond her control.
The Convoy and Claire Redfield
Meanwhile, a survivor convoy led by Claire Redfield (Ali Larter) travels across the desert, scavenging supplies and rescuing survivors. Other returning characters include Carlos Oliveira and LJ. Their convoy later crosses paths with Alice after she saves them from a pack of infected crows in one of the movie’s most visually striking scenes.
Umbrella’s Interest in Alice
Dr. Isaacs (Iain Glen) continues Umbrella’s experiments, using clones of Alice to try to recreate the “original” Alice’s abilities. His goal is to domesticate zombies and find a way to control them. However, every experiment fails, leading Isaacs to push beyond ethical limits and eventually infect himself.
Plan for Alaska
Claire’s convoy finds satellite messages claiming Alaska is a safe, infection-free zone. This becomes a central mission for the group, giving survivors a real sense of hope. Alice decides to join them, especially after seeing how broken the world has become.
Assault on Umbrella and Isaacs’ Mutation
Umbrella tracks the convoy using satellites. A massive zombie attack leaves many convoy members dead. Isaacs, now infected, injects himself with an experimental serum and mutates into a Tyrant, one of the franchise’s most iconic monster forms. He escapes into an Umbrella underground facility in the ruins of Las Vegas.
Movie Ending
The climax occurs inside the underground Umbrella base, where Alice discovers chambers full of her own failed clones—one of the film’s most shocking moments. She also finds a clone that is still alive.
Alice finally confronts the mutated Dr. Isaacs, now a hulking Tyrant-like creature. Their battle takes place inside an enormous laser-filled chamber reminiscent of the first film. With her enhanced abilities and the help of the surviving clone, Alice kills Isaacs.
After Isaacs’ death, the system reveals a holographic message from Albert Wesker, indicating he is now running Umbrella and calling the shots from Tokyo.
In the final scene, Alice storms Umbrella’s Japan headquarters through a holographic communication channel. She warns Wesker that she’s coming for him—and she won’t be alone. Behind her are rows of her fully grown clones, establishing one of the most intriguing cliffhangers in the series.
This ending sets up the events of Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010).
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. The film ends with Alice’s threat to Wesker and the reveal of her clone army. There are no mid-credits or post-credits scenes of any kind.
Type of Movie
Resident Evil: Extinction is a post-apocalyptic action-horror film with sci-fi elements, combining desert-wasteland survival storytelling with classic zombie horror and mutant-creature action.
Cast
- Milla Jovovich as Alice
- Ali Larter as Claire Redfield
- Oded Fehr as Carlos Oliveira
- Iain Glen as Dr. Alexander Isaacs
- Mike Epps as LJ
- Ashanti as Betty
- Spencer Locke as K-Mart
- Jason O’Mara as Albert Wesker
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Charlie Clouser, known for his industrial, electronic, and tension-building style. His music brings a gritty, bleak tone that matches the wasteland setting.
Filming Locations
Primarily filmed in:
- Mexico (Mexicali, Baja California)
- Nevada, USA (mostly desert exteriors)
These locations were chosen to represent a world dried out by the T-virus pandemic. The endless desert visuals emphasize the collapse of civilization and the hopelessness of the survivors’ situation.
Awards and Nominations
The film wasn’t a major awards contender, but it did receive recognition in genre circles for makeup, special effects, and production design. It was frequently highlighted in horror conventions for its creature designs.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Russell Mulcahy returned to feature films after years of TV work and wanted this movie to have a Mad Max meets zombie horror tone.
- The desert crow attack scene was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.
- Milla Jovovich performed many of her own stunts, particularly in the motorcycle and telekinetic sequences.
- Dozens of Alice clones were created using prosthetics, full-body molds, and CGI enhancement.
- Filming in the desert resulted in heat exhaustion for multiple cast members.
Inspirations and References
- The story loosely references the Resident Evil game universe but diverges creatively.
- Visual inspiration was heavily influenced by Mad Max, The Birds, and post-apocalyptic Westerns.
- The concept of Alice clones draws from sci-fi themes like those in Blade Runner and Alien Resurrection.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
- Several extended desert-wasteland survival scenes were removed to maintain pacing.
- A scene where Claire shows more emotional vulnerability after losing convoy members was cut from the final version.
- An alternate opening involving an Umbrella hit squad tracking an Alice clone was storyboarded but never filmed.
Book Adaptations and Differences
There is a novelization of the film. Differences include:
- More internal monologue from Alice about her powers evolving.
- Additional background on Claire’s leadership and the convoy’s formation.
- More detail about Dr. Isaacs’ descent into obsession.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Alice burning the infected crows using psychic energy and a flamethrower.
- The convoy’s ambush in Las Vegas amid buried casinos.
- Alice discovering the clone facility filled with dead Alices.
- The final reveal of the clone army.
Iconic Quotes
- Alice: “I promised to take you somewhere safe. So that’s what I’m going to do.”
- Dr. Isaacs: “She’s the key to everything.”
- Claire: “We move. We survive. That’s the deal.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Umbrella’s underground base layout mirrors designs from the first film, subtly suggesting continuity in their architecture.
- Claire’s convoy includes posters referencing RE game locations.
- The Vegas scene includes a partially buried “Raccoon City” billboard.
Trivia
- It’s the first film in the series where Claire Redfield appears.
- The movie was originally planned to be set in a snowy landscape before shifting to a desert apocalypse.
- Milla Jovovich’s pregnancy during early conceptual phases influenced the emphasis on clones.
Why Watch?
Because it’s one of the most stylistically distinct entries in the series. Fans of post-apocalyptic action will enjoy the desert setting, large-scale set pieces, and Alice’s evolving superhuman abilities, which make this film a turning point in the franchise.
Director’s Other Movies
- Highlander (1986)
- The Shadow (1994)
- Ricochet (1991)
- Resurrection (1999)
