Resident Evil review roundup: Zach Cregger's lean, gory reboot is a hit with critics

Resident Evil opened in US cinemas on 18 September 2026 and has become one of the autumn's biggest hits. It took $60.2 million in its opening weekend and had passed $326 million worldwide by 16 October, according to The Numbers, on a reported budget of $75 million.

What critics liked

Reviews have been close to unanimous. Deadline's Pete Hammond called it a smart, original reboot and praised the way Zach Cregger, the director of Barbarian and Weapons, uses humour to carry the audience through the horror. Collider's Carly Lane liked that it narrows the franchise down to one ordinary man's night of survival, with clever nods to the games along the way, and Empire's Harry Stainer said its scares hit hard because the film refuses to lean on cheap jolts.

The performances

Almost every review singles out Austin Abrams. For most of the film it is a one-man show, and The Ringer's Adam Nayman agreed with comparisons between his panicked, self-mocking courier and Bruce Campbell in the Evil Dead films. Paul Walter Hauser and Kali Reis add colour in supporting roles, and cinematographer Dariusz Wolski's restless camera keeps things moving.

Where it falls short

The few reservations are about structure and tone. Empire felt the film begins to lose its footing once Bryan reaches Raccoon City, with a second act that leans heavily on comedy and gets a little too knowing. The Ringer thought the snowbound opening is the best section. Cregger and his co-writer Shay Hatten also dropped the games' familiar characters for a new story, which some long-time fans have not welcomed.

Should you watch?

With a 96% Tomatometer from almost 300 reviews and a 90% audience score, this is a rare video game adaptation that critics and audiences both like. It is very gory and rated R, but if you can handle that, critics agree it is a fast, funny and frightening night out.