Zach Cregger‘s Resident Evil had its world premiere at The United Theater in Los Angeles, followed by press screenings, and early reactions to the film have already appeared on social media. Sony has allowed attendees to share brief reactions, while full reviews are embargoed until 9:00 a.m. PT on September 16. The film will also screen at Fantastic Fest 2026 on September 17 before its global theatrical release on September 18.
According to early reactions, Cregger’s Resident Evil is not only the best and biggest Resident Evil movie so far, but also Cregger’s best film and the best horror movie of the year.
Resident Evil has received several screen adaptations over the years. The original film series, led by Milla Jovovich, began in 2002 and continued with six movies over 14 years: Resident Evil (2002), Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004), Resident Evil: Extinction (2007), Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010), Resident Evil: Retribution (2012), and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016).
Below, you can see some social media reactions to the Resident Evil movie.
According to X user Cris Parker (@3CFilmss), “Resident Evil is a heart-pounding blast of a time! I loved the tone and pacing Zach Cregger built. Lot of laughs w/ several horrifying moments. Big fan of all the creature designs. Austin Abrams, much like this movie, is so engaging. I hope the doubters give it a chance.”
According to Collider’s Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff), “Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is outstanding. Far and away one of the best video game adaptations I’ve ever seen, and also one of the best horror comedies I’ve ever seen. Cannot believe how many hilarious beats this movie has without ever diminishing the stakes or sheer terror of the situation.”
According to Erik Davis (@ErikDavis), “Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil absolutely rocks! Less an adaptation of a game and more a movie that makes you feel like you’re playing one.
From first-person sequences to chaotic monster fights, the film keeps scaling up the intensity and never really lets you catch your breath. Very funny, definitely bloody, with an ending you’ll be talking about afterward.
Don’t get stuck on what is or isn’t in the Resident Evil games. This is a film that takes the spirit of playing those games and runs wild with it. Cregger continues to find new ways to surprise us in the genre, and I’m here for all of it.”
According to Sonya Alexander (@wordslinger1), “Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is the filmmaker’s third time out of the gate, and he delivers.
Barbarian and Weapons were both darkly comedic, but Resident Evil cranks it up several notches thanks to the brilliant Austin Abrams (skittish and clumsy James in Weapons) as hapless courier Bryan and a whip-smart script by Cregger and Shay Hatten. Cregger is quickly evolving into a new-school horror maestro.
The film is pretty faithful to the games while still successfully crossing over into cinematic g(l)ory. Some of the first-person POVs during the action scenes make you feel like you’re immersed in a game environment, and the nonstop action gives the movie a relentless pace.
Main highlights from Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil
- Captures the atmosphere and feel of the games.
- Not a 1:1 adaptation of any of the games.
- Features plenty of blood, gore, violence, and horror.
- Fast-paced almost from the start.
- Includes unusual monsters similar to the creatures from The Thing.
- Features creative creature designs.
- Has a good and tense soundtrack.
- Does not feature familiar characters or stories from the games.
- Mixes horror with dark humor.
- Austin Abrams does a good job in the lead role.
- Includes plenty of Easter eggs and references to the games.
- Features limited ammo and moments of counting bullets.
- Some moments feel like you’re playing Resident Evil.
- Includes good scares and tense moments.
- The T-virus has some new effects.
- Has a strange and unusual ending.
- Stays very close to the leaked script.
- Has been called Zach Cregger’s best movie yet.
- Has also been described as one of the best horror movies of the year.
- Several viewers consider it one of the best video game adaptations.
SYNOPSIS: Bryan (Austin Abrams), a laid-back organ courier, is sent on a late-night delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital. En route through a snowy mountain road, he accidentally hits a strange woman with his car. She survives — but something is very wrong. As he tries to help, Bryan stumbles into a full-blown outbreak involving horrifying tentacle-based mutations and bio-engineered monstrosities.
The cast includes Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier, alongside Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Johnno Wilson.
Directed by Cregger, who co-wrote the screenplay with Shay Hatten, the film serves as the second reboot of the Resident Evil film series. It is the eighth installment overall in the franchise, which is based on the video game series by Capcom.
The film is produced by Columbia Pictures and PlayStation Productions, in association with Constantin Film and Vertigo Entertainment.
Resident Evil will hit theaters on September 18, 2026, by Sony Pictures Releasing.
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