Zach Cregger’s 'Resident Evil' Reboot Sets Franchise Records with $8M-$9M Preview

Key points

• The film opened with Friday previews of $8M-$9M, far exceeding the previous franchise high of $1M from 2016.
• Critics and audiences have responded positively, with the film holding a 96% critic score and 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
• The movie stars Austin Abrams as a medical courier navigating a zombie outbreak in Raccoon City, a plot distinct from the Milla Jovovich-led series.
• Industry analysts project a weekend opening of $40M-$50M, with some predicting it could surpass $50M.
• The film is praised for its survival horror mechanics, resource scarcity tension, and faithful adaptation of the games' atmosphere rather than specific characters.

Background

Previous 'Resident Evil' films, particularly the six starring Milla Jovovich, were criticized for prioritizing action over the survival horror elements of the video games. A 2021 reboot, 'Welcome to Raccoon City,' also failed to capture the essence of the source material. This new adaptation is the first in the series to be directed by a filmmaker known for horror, specifically Zach Cregger, who previously directed 'Barbarian' and 'Weapons'.

How outlets are covering it

Engadget emphasizes the film's technical execution, noting how the camera work mimics the first-person and third-person perspectives of the games to create dread. Deadline focuses on the commercial success, highlighting the record-breaking previews and strong audience scores. Rotten Tomatoes aggregates critical praise, with reviewers like David Ehrlich calling it one of the best video game adaptations ever, while others like Josh Parham note that the humor can sometimes undercut the horror. The New York Times critic Brandon Yu describes the film as a 'raucously entertaining thrill ride' that effectively distills the gaming experience into a cinematic format. While most outlets agree on the film's quality, there is a minor divergence on the effectiveness of the comedic elements, with some finding them distracting.

Why it matters

The success of this film suggests a shift in how Hollywood approaches video game adaptations, favoring atmospheric fidelity and directorial vision over fan service or direct character recreation. It also indicates a strong market appetite for horror films that prioritize tension and resource management over bombastic action, potentially influencing future adaptations of other franchises like 'Legend of Zelda'.

What to watch

The film is expected to continue its strong box office performance throughout the weekend, with analysts watching to see if it can sustain its momentum beyond the initial opening. The success may also lead to increased interest in other video game adaptations and potentially a sequel, given the strong critical and commercial reception.