Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil, released on September 18, 2026, has received largely positive early reviews, with critics emphasizing its humorous and streamlined approach to adapting the iconic video game series. Outlets like IndieWire and The Guardian praised the film’s ability to channel the games’ ‘spirit’ without being overly concerned with replicating their ‘minutiae.’ The movie, starring Austin Abrams as a medical courier trapped in a zombie outbreak, was described as a ‘simple and exciting survival horror story’ by IGN and a ‘great movie’ by The Wrap. It currently holds a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
While most reviews highlight the film’s strengths, some critics noted tonal and narrative issues. The AV Club criticized its ‘extended riffing’ and ‘unearned emotion’ in later acts, while Macabre Daily found the humor ‘unserious’ and the lack of explanation for the plot’s events confusing. Empire Magazine also pointed to a ‘lack of real direction’ in the second act, which leaned heavily into horror-comedy at the expense of cohesion. However, many praised Cregger’s ability to translate the ‘fight-or-flight experience’ of playing the games into a cinematic format.
The film’s focus on Austin Abrams’ character, Bryan, drew mixed reactions. Consequence highlighted his ‘magnetism’ and the film’s success in making audiences care about his survival, while The Guardian noted that Bryan’s character arc felt incomplete. Some reviewers, like GamesRadar+, called it the ‘best video game movie full stop,’ though PC Gamer cautioned that early reviews should be taken with ‘a grain of salt’ due to their studio-picked nature. Despite this, multiple outlets, including Collider and Discussing Film, celebrated the movie as a creative and inventive take on the franchise.