Snarling zombies, intricate puzzles, and corny one-liners–the epitome of Resident Evil returns in Zach Cregger’s 2026 film adaptation. Cregger twists the classic narrative by introducing brand new characters, the main storyline following Bryan Hodukavich. Bryan–played by Austin Abrams–is a medical courier tasked with bringing an urgent delivery to Raccoon City General. The film follows Bryan’s journey while he is completely in the dark about what he signed up for. If you’re a fan of the games, you know just how quickly things can take a turn for the worse.Â
There were so many things I loved about this movie and its allusions to the game were some of my favorites. A lot of fans were worried that this adaptation wouldn’t bring justice to the nature of the games, especially because it featured no original characters. However, a lot of the elements within the storyline and the setting made the atmosphere feel identical to the games. It featured the type writer to save your game, herbs/first aid spray for healing, the impossible locks that can only be opened by special shaped keys, the shotgun shell box, Leon’s Jeep from RE2, and so much more. Not mentioning these items, but simply having them in the background, made it feel more authentic. It’s the same as the games, but they only make sense if you know what you’re looking for.Â
The actual cinematography was stunning throughout the film, it even had some accuracy as well. There were a lot of shots that focused in on the dark areas/hallways urging you to cover your eyes for fear of jumpscares. There was even a shot that was reminiscent of the door animation in RE1–complete darkness covering everything but the door. The film featured scenes in first person as well. Ones where it was simply navigating dark areas and others with Bryan’s shotgun propped up in view, scanning the room. Everything was extremely detail oriented in the best way possible to invoke maximum terror.Â
Another aspect that added to the atmosphere was Abrams’ acting. Every stereotypical horror movie has the protagonist that makes foolish choices leading them straight to the monster. Abrams’ character was the exact opposite, which is another reason I found this movie so enjoyable. Bryan’s goal was surviving, he was driven throughout the entire movie making smart decisions regarding killing enemies, approaching new areas, etc. However, at the same time, he was very realistic. He acted how I believe many of us would act in such situations. Abrams’ did a great job at showcasing terror, constantly panicking—not stone cold the way some horror protagonists are. He also used a lot of comedic relief to lighten his situation and I found that made him more relatable. Cregger also did a fantastic job at adding depth to his character through the script and his circumstances.Â
The monster mechanics had a majority of similarities to the game, but there were a few new dynamics that constructed even more fright. The Amalgamation monster, first introduced in the trailer, only gets even more uncanny in the film. The impressive monster is a blend of mostly practical effects and some digital enhancement that moves like a human tumbleweed. Every monster featured had amazing special/practical effects that definitely deserve props.Â
The entirety of the film felt like the notes you would find left by a random civilian while exploring Raccoon City in RE2 or RE3. It was hilarious, frightening, disgusting, and fun simultaneously–an experience I will not forget. Even if you know nothing of Resident Evil, you should definitely check it out if you enjoy a good horror movie. I promise you, at the least, it will be an entertaining adventure!