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Resident Evil Review: Zach Cregger returns to the horror genre with a new take on Capcom's iconic Resident Evil franchise. After Barbarian and Weapons, the filmmaker turns his attention to a world filled with viral outbreaks, mutated creatures and survival horror.

Starring Austin Abrams as an ordinary medical courier caught in an extraordinary nightmare, the 2026 film wastes little time getting into the action. The result is a fast-moving, bloody and technically polished horror spectacle that delivers plenty of chaos, although its storytelling does not always match the impact of its visuals.

Resident Evil Story: A Courier Trapped in a Nightmare

The film follows Bryan, played by Austin Abrams, a medical courier who finds himself facing a terrifying situation while attempting to complete an urgent delivery to a medical facility in Raccoon City.

What begins as a routine assignment quickly turns into a fight for survival as a catastrophic outbreak throws the city into chaos. Bryan is forced to move through dangerous locations while encountering infected creatures, Umbrella Corporation personnel and increasingly disturbing threats.

Rather than spending too much time explaining the franchise mythology, Cregger and co-writer Shay Hatten move the story forward through a series of increasingly dangerous encounters. The structure often feels similar to progressing through different stages of a survival-horror video game.

Austin Abrams Is the Film's Biggest Strength

Austin Abrams gives the film a grounded central performance. Bryan is not presented as a highly trained action hero who knows exactly what to do in a crisis. He is an ordinary person suddenly surrounded by extraordinary danger.

That vulnerability makes some of the more chaotic sequences easier to connect with. Abrams brings genuine fear and physical intensity to the role while also allowing moments of awkward humour to come through.

The supporting cast includes Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry and Kali Reis. They add energy to the proceedings, although their characters largely serve the fast-moving plot rather than receiving extensive emotional development.

The Horror Relies Heavily on Gore and Creature Action

One area where Resident Evil clearly makes an impression is its visual approach to horror. The film embraces graphic creature effects, bloody encounters and disturbing body-horror imagery.

The monsters are designed to provide immediate visual impact, while the filmmakers repeatedly escalate the danger instead of allowing the story to settle for long periods.

For viewers looking primarily for creature attacks, gore and frantic survival sequences, the film offers plenty to enjoy. However, the emphasis on constant spectacle can sometimes reduce the impact of individual scares.

Where the Story Falls Short

Spoilers ahead.

The biggest weakness of the film is its screenplay. Bryan repeatedly finds himself in situations where a more cautious decision could potentially have avoided unnecessary danger.

Some of his choices can feel frustrating, particularly when the movie has already established the seriousness of the infection and the threats surrounding him. Moments involving infected blood, suspicious bodies and dangerous locations occasionally make the suspense feel predictable rather than genuinely frightening.

Because the protagonist sometimes ignores obvious warning signs, certain creature encounters begin to feel like expected checkpoints in a video game instead of naturally developing horror sequences.

Strong Technical Craft

While the narrative has its limitations, the technical execution is one of the film's strongest aspects.

Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski gives the movie a dark and atmospheric visual identity. Snow-covered locations, shadowy corridors and claustrophobic interiors create an appropriately hostile environment for Bryan's journey.

The sound design and score also play an important role in building tension. Creature noises, sudden impacts and gruesome sound effects give many sequences additional weight.

The editing keeps the movie moving at a rapid pace, preventing the 90-minute-plus runtime from feeling unnecessarily stretched.

Resident Evil Review: Final Verdict

Resident Evil works best when viewed as a high-energy survival-horror experience rather than a deeply layered character drama.

Zach Cregger brings plenty of technical confidence to the franchise, while Austin Abrams provides a relatable centre to the chaos. The creature work, atmosphere, gore and rapid pacing create several memorable sequences.

However, the film's predictable horror mechanics and occasional logic gaps prevent the story from developing the same depth that made Cregger's earlier original films stand out.

At roughly 95 minutes, Resident Evil is short, aggressive and designed to keep moving. For audiences looking for a bloody video-game-inspired thrill ride, it delivers spectacle in abundance. Those expecting richer character development or sustained psychological horror may find the film's emphasis on action and gore somewhat limiting.

Overall: A technically polished and relentlessly energetic Resident Evil reboot that prioritises creature spectacle, gore and fast-paced survival action over deeper storytelling.