Zach Cregger’s jump into studio franchise filmmaking is drawing an emphatic early response.
The first social reactions to Sony Pictures’ “Resident Evil” reboot have arrived, and members of the film press are praising the “Weapons” and “Barbarian” filmmaker’s take on the long-running horror property as bloody, crowd-pleasing and unusually strong for a video game adaptation. The film opens in theaters Sept. 18 from Sony Pictures.
Cregger’s “Resident Evil” reunites him with “Weapons” star Austin Abrams, who plays a medical courier caught in a zombie outbreak while making a delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital. Cregger co-wrote the screenplay with Shay Hatten, and the supporting cast includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis and Paul Walter Hauser.
Early viewers are emphasizing the scale and intensity of the new film. Tomatometer critic EJ Moreno wrote on X that “Resident Evil” is “one that you have to see on the biggest screen with a big crowd! A true horror blockbuster.” Moreno added, “Zach Cregger goes bigger, scarier, and at his most fun. This is how you make horror into a cinematic spectacle.”
That “big crowd” sentiment was echoed by others who described the movie as both frightening and funny. Tomatometer critic Mark Cassidy wrote that the reboot taps “into the relentless tension of the games,” adding, “Zach Cregger has actually delivered the most faithful take yet. Very bloody, very funny, and it made me jump at least 3 times (no easy task). The fella sitting in front of me hid behind his jacket for most of the movie. Easily among the best video game adaptations I’ve seen.”
Kellvin Chavez, film journalist and editor-in-chief of SplashReport.com, was similarly enthusiastic in his post on X, writing that “Resident Evil” “has its foot on the gas from the opening scene and NEVER hits the brakes.” He credited Cregger with delivering “relentless suspense, gloriously gory action, and some seriously twisted, Thing-esque creature designs,” calling the result “Pure SURVIVAL HORROR and easily the best ‘Resident Evil’ movie yet.” Chavez also singled out Abrams, writing, “Austin Abrams is terrific,” and said he would post a full review the following day.
Film critic Tristian Circa ’89 highlighted the movie’s balance of scares and comedy, writing on X, “It’s just as intense and horrifying as you’d expect a ‘Resident Evil’ movie to be while integrating some great humorous moments throughout.” The critic also praised Abrams’ lead turn, saying, “Austin Abrams plays an everyman in way over his head, but his natural charm makes him a lead worth rooting for.”
Variety’s Jordan Moreau offered one of the strongest reactions, writing on X that “#ResidentEvil is one of the best video game adaptions ever made, and one of the best horror movies in recent memory.” Moreau also praised the film’s title drop and wrote that “Austin Abrams is hilarious to watch stumble around killing zombies,” giving the movie a “10/10.”
The upbeat early response is notable because Cregger’s version does not rely on several established “Resident Evil” video game characters. The new movie does not feature Leon S. Kennedy or Jill Valentine, with Cregger aiming to create a new and original story within the franchise. That choice has already irritated a certain section of the fandom, and Cregger has acknowledged he was “naive” to think he could build an original story inside a pre-existing franchise and avoid fan backlash.
The reboot follows a sizable screen history for the property. Six previous “Resident Evil” films began with the 2002 movie starring Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez. Jovovich then led “Resident Evil: Apocalypse” in 2004, “Resident Evil: Extinction” in 2007, “Resident Evil: Afterlife” in 2010, “Resident Evil: Retribution” in 2012 and “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” in 2017. In 2021, filmmaker Johannes Roberts wrote and directed the franchise reboot “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.” Collectively, the franchise has grossed more than $1.2 billion at the global box office.
For Cregger, “Resident Evil” marks a move into studio IP after “Weapons” and “Barbarian,” and the first reactions suggest his style of unruly horror has carried into the franchise intact. Audiences will get their chance to see the new Raccoon City nightmare when “Resident Evil” reaches theaters Sept. 18.