Resident Evil (2026) Movie Review

Resident Evil (2026) Movie Review: Evil Without the Rules

A movie adaptation of a video game has always been a huge risk. There's the fan-service aspect that can force a narrative into a very limiting situation while deviating too far from the source material can immediately turn fans against the film. Zach Cregger's take on Resident Evil goes all-in on breaking away from the video game franchise. And yes, the reality is that this could have been a movie completely unrelated to Resident Evil and it would still work. Some may find this an unacceptable extreme but for us, it means what we get is a purely entertaining and fun experience from start to finish.

About to end his shift, medical courier Bryan (Austin Abrams) is suddenly tasked with transporting a priority package to Raccoon City. Thinking that someone's life might be at stake, he hesitantly accepts the job. As he makes his way through his route, the night quickly devolves into chaos. The closer he gets to his destination, the more his routine delivery turns into a terrifying journey filled with mayhem, destruction, and monsters.

If you're familiar with Zach Cregger's previous work, Resident Evil falls perfectly into place with his style. The biggest surprise for us isn't the film's lack of connection to the video game franchise but how effectively Cregger mixes comedy into the horror. Resident Evil is just as funny as it is terrifying, and those small injections of comedy provide the perfect breathing room between all the pent-up tension from scene to scene. The creatures are also a highlight bringing some genuinely memorable and disturbing moments to the film.

Austin Abrams also delivers a performance that perfectly fits Bryan, an aloof courier who is simply determined to complete his delivery at all costs. His relatively ordinary character works well against the increasingly insane situation unfolding around him giving the film an entertaining everyman perspective as everything spirals completely out of control minute by minute.

There are still misses though. While the film's raw and straightforward execution makes it a lot of fun, there's very little buildup when it comes to the other characters or the origins of the zombie outbreak. There are plenty of Easter eggs and references for fans of the games but for the most part, that's where the connection ends. The straightforward nature of the story also means there's little depth or a deeper emotional connection to the material.

So, is this a better Resident Evil adaptation? For us, it's a definite yes. While its connection to the video game franchise is surprisingly small, the creativity and fun factor are through the roof. We'd take a film that understands how to be entertaining on its own over a forced adaptation that prioritizes familiarity at the expense of everything else. Resident Evil may not be the adaptation some fans were expecting but that's precisely why it works for us. It takes the name, the occasional Easter egg, and the spirit of survival horror, then runs wild with them. 

Rating: 4 reels