Resident Evil (2026) - Review: Delivery Us To Evil

After decades of varying approaches, from CGI heavy action romps to animated continuations to faithful-to-a-fault adaptations, and varying degrees of commercial and critical success, the "Resident Evil" video game franchise is getting its third theatrical reboot and eighth live-action film in just under twenty-five years. The difference though is the director behind the camera; fresh off the back-to-back critical and commercial success of "Barbarian" and "Weapons," co-writer/director/self-proclaimed "RE" super fan Zach Cregger is here bring his version of the mega-successful survival horror franchise for the big screen. 

"Resident Evil" follows medical courier Bryan, played by Austin Abrams ("Weapons," "euphoria"), as he takes a last-minute job transporting an overnight package through the snow-covered Colorado mountains to Raccoon City. While on his way, he finds himself in the middle of a zombie outbreak, forcing him to fight his way through to reach Raccoon City General Hospital with his delivery intact. 

Given the franchises' prior existence as what some might charitably call "guilty pleasure films," Cregger's deft hand is immediately apparent from the start. His vision of this world isn't one of direct adaptation or winking nods to the games. Rather, his goal is clearly to impart the same atmosphere and feelings given when one cracks open an entry in Capcom's legendary series. From the moment things begin to turn sour for Bryan, there's a very specific and direct feeling of tension that echoes a loss of control. Once things make a turn for the worst, the film moves like a bullet, never letting up in its quick pace. At just under 90 minutes without credits, it's a borderline perfect mixture of tense dread and adrenaline rush. That rush can overtake the third act a bit, where things can get a bit silly. But the slow evolution of the film's tone from tense dread to more adrenaline pumping sequences means this doesn't feel out of place. 

Cregger and his co-writer Shay Hatten ("John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum," "Army of the Dead") inject just enough humor throughout the film to allow the release of that tension at very specific moments. Cregger makes sure that it doesn't betray the scares though, and the peril felt for Bryan on his adventure is never sacrificed for a cheap gag or laugh. There aren't jokes so much as Hatten and Cregger mining the circumstances for fish out of water scenarios to put Bryan in, and they all work wonderfully thanks to Abrams immense charm and everyman talents. 

Abrams is a fantastic lead. He carries Bryan with a slight oafishness, but he never resorts to making him a caricature. There's never a clear moment where you think he knows exactly what he's doing, but he isn't dumb either. His lack of experience is an important aspect to this tale, and it makes him a more compelling character as a result. The supporting cast is few, but they punctuate the film well. Zach Cherry ("Severance," "Fallout") appears briefly as a scientist, and Paul Walter Hauser ("Richard Jewel," "Blackbird") pops up as an advisor to help direct Bryan further, both working for the Umbrella Corporation. Neither make grand impressions, but they're fodder for Bryan's arc and journey, and they fill those roles well. 

Overall, the film's atmosphere is its greatest asset, both in terms of being an adaptation and just a straight horror film. Cienmatographer Dariusz Wolski ("Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," "The Martian") doesn't just keep things tight and smooth, but the film looks simply gorgeous despite being set entirely at night. Wolski and Cregger display a fantastic use of both pitch-black darkness and color. Red is utilized throughout to delightfully gruesome effects, and the lighting is a constant standout. Ryan and Hays Holladay's ("Weapons," "Roommates (2026)") score is a warping electronic undercurrent that manages to be exceptionally memorable, without overpowering each scene. As it garbles along, setting the mood for each new situation Bryan finds himself in, it helps to continuously build up the atmosphere and personality that helps make this film the best kind of adaptation. 

What kind of adaptation is the best adaptation then? Well, while that can vary based on what the material being adapted is, for something as varied as this franchise, tone is the clear goal. Zach Cregger has done just that, recreating the tone and tension that comes from the atmosphere of the series rather than directly adapting the characters or stories of each game. It results in a film that's the best of both worlds: a fresh, quick paced popcorn horror bonanza that will also create many many new fans as a result of its authentic vibes. With an excellent lead actor being thrown right into the fray, the best thing that can be said about Cregger's vision of this world is that if you adapted it into a new "Resident Evil" game, it would be right at home. 4.5/5