‘Resident Evil’ First Reactions: Zach Cregger’s Zombie Horror Called ‘Gloriously Gory’ and Best Video Game Adaptation
The first reactions to Zach Cregger’s 2026 version of Resident Evil are largely positive. Many film critics called the Sony Pictures release a “gloriously gory” adaptation of the popular video game series and one of the best entries in the video game-to-film adaptation canon ahead of its wide release.
Zach Cregger’s 2026 Resident Evil reboot is “gloriously gory” and “one of the best video game adaptations ever made,” according to early reviews. The film, which stars Austin Abrams as a medical courier stuck in a Raccoon City outbreak, opened in LA theaters on September 15, 2026.
Key Details
- What happened: The new Resident Evil film premiered in Los Angeles, and the first reviews and reactions were posted.
- Who is involved: Zach Cregger (director, Barbarian, Weapons) and Shay Hatten (co-writer), alongside Austin Abrams (leads, Euphoria) and the supporting cast of Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser.
- Where: The United Theater, Los Angeles, California.
- When: The film opened on September 15, 2026, with a wide release scheduled for September 18, 2026.
- Latest development: Early reviews say the film strikes a balance between suspense, body horror, and black comedy. Critics say the film stays true to the video game series.
- What happens next: The film will premiere at the 2026 Fantastic Fest on September 17. It will then be released theatrically by Sony Pictures on September 18.
What Critics Are Saying
Following the embargo lift on September 16, film journalists and critics alike took to social media and early review outlets to share their thoughts on the film. Overall, there seems to be consensus that Bimbos (2023) is a horror-action-comedy mashup that largely succeeds in all three genres.
Kellvin Chavez, editor-in-chief of SplashReport.com, said the movie begins with its “foot on the gas” and “NEVER hits the brakes.” Chavez also said Cregger creates “relentless suspense” and “gloriously gory” action, and weird creature designs that remind him of “The Thing.”
Mark Cassidy said while the movie does not have any “legacy” characters, it makes up for it by capturing the “relentless tension of the games.” Cassidy called it “very bloody” and “very funny,” and said it is “easily among the best video game adaptations I’ve seen.”
EJ Moreno, writing for Flickering Myth, also thought the movie was a “true horror blockbuster,” and said “Zach Cregger goes bigger, scarier, and at his most fun. This is how you make horror into a cinematic spectacle.”
Plot and Cast Details
Zach Cregger’s directing and Shay Hatten’s co-writing credit break from the video game canon and its characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Jill Valentine. Instead, the focus is on an original character: a medical courier (Austin Abrams) who is making a delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital and gets caught in a viral outbreak.
Cregger admitted that leaving out the legacy characters was a creative choice to tell a new story within the universe, and that he acknowledged it would create a new way to tell the same story. Still, he was naive to think he wouldn’t face backlash from certain parts of the fandom. He also admitted he removed many jokes from the film after test screenings to strengthen the horror elements.
Franchise Context and Creative Choices
2026 is the year Sony Pictures and Constantin Film try to reboot the franchise for a second time. The film series from 2002 to 2017, which starred Milla Jovovich, was a global box-office success, grossing over $1.2 billion. The reboot, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021), directed by Johannes Roberts, was a critical and commercial failure.
By condensing the franchise into a single night of survival horror, rather than a large, convoluted narrative, early views suggest Cregger has corrected the franchise’s course. Critic Dan Pfleegor noted that the film “harnessed the momentum of Weapons’ third act & mixed in the nervy fear of Barbarian’s ‘what’s behind the next locked door?’” while capturing the “panicked spirit of the games.”
Timeline
- 2002-2017: Six Resident Evil films starring Milla Jovovich are released, becoming a global box-office success.
- 2021: Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is released to negative reviews and box office failure.
- 2022: The live-action Resident Evil television series, which was released on Netflix, is canceled after one season.
- September 15, 2026: Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil premieres at The United Theater in Los Angeles.
- September 16, 2026: The first reactions and early critic reviews come out, and they all praise the film’s tone and execution.
- September 18, 2026: Sony Pictures schedules the theatrical release.
Why It Matters
The success of this reboot will shape the future of video game adaptations. Most video game adaptations try to please fans and, in the process, ruin the film. Early looks at the film suggest Zach Cregger focused on capturing the experience of playing a survival horror game and, in the process, set a new standard for adaptations based on interactive media.
What Happens Next
Resident Evil will be shown at the 2026 Fantastic Fest on September 17, 2026, and will be released internationally on September 18, 2026. The film will be shown in theaters, and the publishing embargo will be lifted, allowing for full reviews to be published.
FAQ
Who is the director of the 2026 Resident Evil movie?
Zach Cregger, director of the films Barbarian and Weapons, as well as other horror films, directed the 2026 adaptation of Resident Evil. Shay Hatten wrote the screenplay with Cregger.
Is Leon or Jill in the new Resident Evil movie?
Neither Leon S. Kennedy nor Jill Valentine appears in the movie. The film is an original story focusing on a medical courier, played by Austin Abrams.
What is the release date for the new Resident Evil movie?
Sony Pictures will release the new Resident Evil movie globally on Friday, September 18, 2026, in theaters.
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