Resident Evil is already generating buzz ahead of its theatrical release on Friday, with early reactions praising its horror, action and unpredictable tone.
Rotten Tomatoes Score
Resident Evil currently holds a 97% Tomatometer score based on 91 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.
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Early Reactions To Resident Evil
Early reactions have been largely positive, with critics praising Zach Cregger's take on the popular video game franchise. Courtney Howard described the film as a "wild" and unpredictable thrill ride, while also highlighting its body horror, action and creature-driven sequences. She also praised Austin Abrams' performance as the film's central character.
#ResidentEvil : Zach Cregger is cookin' with napalm. It's a wild, hilarious, unpredictably bonkers thrill ride from start to finish. Kinetic action leans heavily on demented body horror. Mutant mayhem galore! Austin Abrams is perfect as our doofy, hapless hero. pic.twitter.com/zsn63rD4Ej
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) September 16, 2026
Jonathan Sim called Resident Evil an "edge-of-your-seat experience" and called it Cregger's best film yet. He also praised Abrams for bringing humour to the role and described the movie as an entertaining theatrical experience.
#ResidentEvil is a PHENOMENAL edge-of-your-seat experience.
— Jonathan Sim (@TheJonathanSim) September 16, 2026
Zach Cregger's best movie yet. It shines in its simplicity. A one-night thriller about one person trying to survive. Austin Abrams brings so much comedy to this role.
Funny, exciting, and demands to be seen with a… pic.twitter.com/4fW8s6CuyU
Zach Pope called the film a near-perfect Resident Evil experience and praised its gore, jump scares, Easter eggs and creature designs. He also described it as a strong video game adaptation with a fast-paced narrative.
#ResidentEvil is a near PERFECT Resident Evil experience!
— Zach Pope (@ZachhPope) September 16, 2026
Zach Cregger didn't just craft a GREAT Resident Evil movie (he made an awesome video game adaptation that I can already see myself rewatching for years)
Brutal. Funny. Gory. Completely WTF-inducing. It's packed with… pic.twitter.com/NSwiGbHYDl
Mark Cassidy praised the film for capturing the tension associated with the games. He noted that while it does not rely on recognisable characters or storylines from the franchise, it delivers what he described as a faithful take on the games' atmosphere.
#ResidentEvil may not feature recognizable characters/storylines, but by tapping into the relentless tension of the games, 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… pic.twitter.com/QjgumVECDH
— Mark Cassidy (@RorMachine) September 16, 2026
Eric Goldman also praised the film's mix of horror and comedy, comparing its progression to moving through different levels in a video game. He also highlighted Abrams' performance as the film's everyman hero.
I had such a great time watching Resident Evil, as Zach Cregger puts Austin Abrams through one hell of a scary, freaky and darkly funny night. My review: https://t.co/k8GYGAES0i
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) September 16, 2026
Resident Evil Plot
The film follows Bryan, a medical courier who travels to Raccoon City General Hospital for a delivery. His routine assignment turns into a fight for survival when a viral outbreak unleashes infected monsters across the city. The story is set in a modern era and draws parallels with the events of the video game Resident Evil 2.
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Resident Evil Cast
Austin Abrams stars as Bryan, with Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Paul Walter Hauser and Johnno Wilson in key roles. The supporting cast includes Emily Piggford, Will Merrick, Zoé Bellas, Chris Lew Kum Hoi, Griffin Newman, Magdalena Sittova, Andrea Miltnerová and Shawn W. Loeser.
The film is directed and co-written by Zach Cregger, with Shay Hatten as co-writer. It is produced by Robert Kulzer, Zach Cregger, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, Carter Swan and Asad Qizilbash. The production companies include Columbia Pictures, Constantin Film, Davis Films, Vertigo Entertainment and PlayStation Productions.
Resident Evil Release Date
Resident Evil is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 18, 2026. The film will arrive in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Columbia Pictures and Constantin Film have produced the film in association with TriStar Pictures, while Sony Pictures Entertainment India is handling its distribution in the country.
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