Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Just Scored Early Reactions That Have Fans Losing It
Video game adaptations have a rough history on the big screen, and ‘Resident Evil’ has arguably suffered more than most. Despite spawning multiple live-action films and series over the years, none of them quite managed to capture what made the games so beloved, leaving the franchise stuck in the same disappointing company as flops like ‘Super Mario Bros.’ and ‘Doom.’
That track record made Zach Cregger’s involvement feel like a genuine turning point. The filmmaker behind ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Weapons’ is taking on an entirely original story rather than adapting a specific game’s plot, following Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, as one horrifying night collapses into chaos around him.
Sony Pictures screened the first 30 minutes of the film for press and select fans in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas ahead of the September 18 release, and the reactions that followed suggest the ‘Resident Evil’ curse might finally be breaking. Nerdist’s senior editor Kyle Anderson, who saw an 18-minute cut of the footage, said the section flew by and left him wanting far more once the credits eventually roll, calling it exciting and scary with the requisite bits of dread while noting it felt very much in line with Cregger’s other work.
Social media reactions from the screenings have been just as enthusiastic. Critic Tyler Disney wrote that he was completely hooked after watching, saying Cregger puts you straight into the world and calling the result fresh, original, and surprisingly funny, while singling out Abrams as the right choice for the lead role.
Nick L’Barrow of World of Screens offered similarly high praise, writing that the footage fucking slaps and throws viewers straight into the action, pointing to the film’s video-game-like visuals, solid scares, and Abrams’ performance as a bumbling hero as standout elements. JoBlo’s own account echoed that enthusiasm too, relaying that its own critic felt Cregger had knocked it out of the park after catching the same early footage.
That mix of scares, gore, and unexpected comedy has become the consistent throughline across nearly every reaction so far, with several viewers noting the film manages to feel tense and thrilling despite only a fraction of the finished product being shown. Given how many prior attempts at adapting this franchise have stumbled over exactly that balance, getting it right in the opening minutes alone counts as a meaningful signal.
The first trailer for Zach Cregger's ‘RESIDENT EVIL’ has been released.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 30, 2026
In theaters on September 18. pic.twitter.com/eeVCAGzy6M
It’s worth remembering that these are reactions to a partial screening rather than full reviews of the finished film, and plenty can still change once critics see the entire ninety-five-minute runtime. Still, the buzz has translated into real commercial confidence, with the film reportedly tracking toward a global opening weekend somewhere between $120 million and $150 million.
The official ‘Resident Evil’ account has leaned into that anticipation as well, promoting the film’s IMAX presentation and encouraging fans to get their tickets ahead of the September 18 release. With Cregger’s genre pedigree already well established and early audiences responding this strongly, ‘Resident Evil’ looks positioned to finally deliver the adaptation longtime fans of the games have been waiting decades for.
Whether the back two-thirds of the film can sustain the tension and humor established in its opening stretch remains the biggest open question heading into release. For now, though, the early buzz suggests Cregger may have cracked a puzzle that’s stumped filmmakers for over twenty years.
How Excited Are You for Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil After These First Reactions?
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