The first reactions to Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil have arrived, and the filmmaker behind Barbarian and Weapons may have another horror hit on his hands.
Early reactions to Sony Pictures’ latest attempt at bringing the iconic video game franchise to the big screen are overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with critics praising the film’s gore, humor, scares and commitment to the survival-horror atmosphere of the games.
Cregger’s Resident Evil follows Austin Abrams as a medical courier who finds himself caught in a zombie outbreak while attempting to make a delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital. Cregger co-wrote the screenplay alongside Shay Hatten, with Zach Cherry, Kali Reis and Paul Walter Hauser also starring.
While the film tells an original story rather than adapting one of the games directly, the early word suggests Cregger has captured what makes Resident Evil work.
Flickering Myth critic EJ Moreno called the movie a “true horror blockbuster,” adding:
“Zach Cregger goes bigger, scarier, and at his most fun.”
Moreno also said Resident Evil is the type of movie that should be experienced “on the biggest screen with a big crowd.”
Mark Cassidy offered similarly strong praise, arguing that despite not featuring familiar characters or storylines from the games, the movie successfully taps into their relentless tension.
Director Zach Cregger (right) and Austin Abrams on the set of Constantin Film and Columbia Pictures Resident Evil DUŠAN MARTINČEK/SONY PICTURES
“Zach Cregger has actually delivered the most faithful take yet.”
Cassidy described the film as “very bloody, very funny” and revealed that it managed to make him jump three times.
Kellvin Chavez was even more enthusiastic, praising a movie that apparently wastes little time getting started.
“Zach Cregger delivers relentless suspense, gloriously gory action.”
Chavez also highlighted what he described as twisted, The Thing-like creature designs and called the movie “pure survival horror.”
Film critic Tristian Circa ‘89 praised the balance between horror and comedy, saying the movie is “just as intense and horrifying as you’d expect” while still incorporating humor. He also singled out Abrams as an everyman protagonist whose natural charm makes him easy to root for.
Variety’s Jordan Moreau delivered perhaps the strongest reaction of the bunch, calling Resident Evil:
“One of the best video game adaptations ever made.”
Austin Abrams in ‘Resident Evil’ (2026). Credit : Dušan Martinček/Sony Pictures
Moreau also called it one of the best recent horror movies and praised Abrams’ performance as he stumbles his way through the zombie outbreak.
One of the biggest questions surrounding Cregger’s take on the franchise has been his decision to tell an original story.
The new movie does not center on established Resident Evil characters such as Leon S. Kennedy or Jill Valentine. Cregger has previously acknowledged the criticism surrounding that decision, but these early reactions suggest his film may compensate by remaining faithful to the atmosphere, tension and survival-horror experience of the games.
The franchise has already produced seven live-action theatrical films, beginning with the Milla Jovovich-led Resident Evil in 2002 and most recently returning to theaters with Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City in 2021. The films have collectively earned more than $1.2 billion worldwide.
Now Cregger gets his opportunity to take audiences back to Raccoon City.
Resident Evil hits theaters September 18.
