The first reactions to the Resident Evil movie are here (and they are shocking)

There was a time when it seemed like an impossible task to faithfully adapt a video game into a movie or TV series. Films like Alone in the Dark (2005), Super Mario Bros. (1993), and Doom (2005) got enough of a bad reputation that it seemed all but a given that any other attempts to break the curse would inevitably fail. However, the tide has turned in recent years, and it's all thanks to the release of projects like The Last of Us HBO series, the Fallout Prime Video show, and the Sonic and Mario movies. Unfortunately, there is still one beloved franchise that hasn't had much luck outside the video game world, and that is Resident Evil.

There have been multiple live-action movies and series under the Resident Evil umbrella throughout the years, but none of them have quite managed to leave a (bite) mark. However, that could soon change with Resident Evil (2027), a film directed by Zach Cregger, who is also the mastermind behind acclaimed releases like Weapons (2026) and Barbarian (2022). This horror adventure won't adapt the events of any of the games. Instead, it will feature a completely original tale that could run parallel to the events of Resident Evil 2 (except in the modern day).

Fortunately, it seems Cregger's creative approach to the franchise was the key to creating an exhilarating and nail-biting Resident Evil film. Early reactions to the zombie project are finally here, and this is what they have to say.

Early reactions to Zach Cregger's Resident Evil are horrifyingly good

The streak of underwhelming Resident Evil adaptations has seemingly come to an end. Selected press members and fans got to see the opening minutes of Zach Cregger's Resident Evil and have nothing but praise for it, with everyone agreeing that it is horrifying while also being surprised by how funny it can be.

Senior Editor for Nerdist, Kyle Anderson, revealed that, while he only got to see 18 minutes, they were more than enough to sell him on the full adventure:

"The 18 minutes positively flew by and were exciting and scary with the requisite bits of dread. It was a lot funnier than maybe I expected, but it felt right in line with Cregger’s other work (...)  If you’re worried Cregger, despite his claims, doesn’t have the RE chops, rest assured. The completed movie will only be 95 minutes and I can already tell I’ll want a whole lot more."

Film reviewer Tyler Disney further emphasizes the idea that there is a lot of humor to be found in Resident Evil, but that doesn't detract from its gore (as there's bound to be plenty of it). Furthermore, he had nothing but praise for Austin Abrams, who portrays the role of a completely new character in the franchise called Bryan, who's a medical courier tasked with delivering a special package to Raccoon City.

Founder of World of Screens, Nick L’Barrow, stated that Resident Evil wastes no time in putting audiences in the middle of the action. As was to be expected from a zombie project, there will be a lot of scares and blood in the first 30 minutes of the movie. That begs the question: What type of surprises await in the third act?

User Zero revealed that Zach Cregger had a grounded approach for his Resident Evil adaptation, and this was instrumental in making the film feel tense and thrilling. Furthermore, they argue that if the rest of the movie is as good as its opening, this theatrical experience could compete with other major horror releases of 2026, which include the likes of Obsession and Backrooms.

Overall, it seems fans are in for a tense, thrilling, bloody, but funny adventure that honors the DNA of the Resident Evil saga. Trailers have revealed that we'll see first-person sequences where ammo management will matter, and whenever Bryan misses a shot, we, as audiences, will feel his pain. Excitement levels are at an all-time high, which has resulted in the film tracking an astounding $120M-$150M global debut. The future is looking bright for the beloved horror franchise, and we can't wait to see how it all pans out.

Resident Evil will be released on Sep. 18, 2026.

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