TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Early reactions for director Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil reboot have begun circulating on social media following its world premiere at The United Theater in Los Angeles, with critics hailing the film as one of the finest video game adaptations to date.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the project marks Sony Pictures' second attempt to relaunch the action-horror franchise on the big screen.
Written by Cregger alongside Shay Hatten, the narrative follows Bryan, an ordinary medical courier portrayed by Austin Abrams, who finds himself stranded in a viral outbreak while attempting to deliver a package to Raccoon City General Hospital. The supporting ensemble features Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser.
Unlike prior film iterations, Cregger intentionally omitted iconic video game figures such as Leon S. Kennedy and Ada Wong, opting instead for a original story. Despite initial fan hesitation regarding the omission of familiar lore, critics have praised the film's ability to mirror the tension, mechanical tropes, and body-horror elements of the original games.
The early critical reception highlights the film's relentless pacing, balance of dark comedy, and visceral practical effects. Erik Davis noted on social media that Cregger’s vision "takes the spirit of playing those games and runs wild with it," highlighting its "creepy first-person sequences to chaotic monster fights."
Critics also singled out Abrams' lead performance as a relatable everyman thrust into extraordinary danger. As cited by Variety, Jordan Moreau wrote on X that Cregger's execution outstanding, describing the adaptation as "one of the best horror movies in recent memory" and noting how entertaining it was to watch Abrams "stumble around killing zombies."
Journalist Kellvin Chavez shared a similarly enthusiastic review on X, describing the feature as "pure SURVIVAL HORROR" loaded with "relentless suspense, gloriously gory action, and some seriously twisted, Thing-esque creature designs."
Some reviewers noted minor criticisms, particularly regarding character balances. Rolling Stone Philippines observed that Kali Reis felt "criminally underutilized" in her supporting role as an Umbrella operative. Additionally, critic Joey Magidson mentioned on X that while the movie is a "real fun" nail-biter with great momentum, he "didn't dig the ending."
The new reboot follows a long screen history for the franchise. The initial six-film series starring Milla Jovovich launched in 2002 and concluded with Resident Evil: The Final Chapter in 2017. A previous attempt to reset the narrative, Johannes Roberts' 2021 feature Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, struggled both critically and commercially.
Resident Evil is scheduled to screen at Fantastic Fest on September 17, 2026, before its global theatrical rollout on September 18. Full critical reviews remain under embargo until September 16.
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