A New Kind of Reboot

When it was announced that Zach Cregger, known for his original horror films Barbarian and Weapons, would be rebooting the Resident Evil franchise, many fans were skeptical. Unlike previous adaptations, Cregger’s new film doesn’t rely on fan-favorite characters like Leon S. Kennedy or Jill Valentine. Instead, it introduces Bryan (played by Austin Abrams), a medical courier caught in a deadly situation in Raccoon City, according to The Hollywood Reporter and KSL News.

Capturing the Survival Horror Experience

The film’s most praised aspect is its ability to mimic the tense, claustrophobic feel of the original Resident Evil video games, while According to Engadget, Cregger avoids bombastic action sequences in favor of slow, creeping dread and desperate survival scenarios. In one key scene, the camera follows Bryan from a first-person perspective as he moves through a dark, abandoned house—mirroring the iconic opening moments of the first game.

“Resident Evil” centers on a medical delivery gone wrong. Bryan agrees to transport a mysterious package through the snow-covered outskirts of Raccoon City, a decision that quickly spirals into a fight for survival. The film’s opening minutes show his car veering off the road, his phone call with his girlfriend breaking off mid-sentence with the line, “Some things have happened… maybe we won’t speak again,” as reported by Infobae and KSL News.

Humor and Horror in Balance

What sets Cregger’s film apart is its ability to blend horror with dark humor. The Hollywood Reporter notes that the film includes “deadpan one-liners rendered in visual terms,” making the experience both terrifying and unexpectedly funny. Unlike the more action-driven previous films and the 2021 reboot Welcome to Raccoon City, Cregger’s version avoids over-the-top stunts in favor of psychological tension and character-driven moments.

One of the most praised performances is from Austin Abrams, who plays Bryan with a mix of vulnerability and determination. His character is a flawed everyman,worried about his girlfriend’s pregnancy and now caught in a nightmare scenario. Filmstarts reports that critics like Jordan Moreau from Variety have called it one of the best video game adaptations of all time, even ranking it among the best horror films of the last few years.

Despite being a reboot, the film doesn’t rely on nostalgia or direct game adaptation. Instead, it builds its own identity while staying true to the spirit of the franchise. According to Infobae, Cregger’s approach was to create a story that feels familiar but not derivative. The film’s release is set for September 18, 2026.