Cregger's 'Resident Evil' Reboot Earns Praise for Balancing Gore and Humor

Key points

• Zach Cregger's 'Resident Evil' received strong early reviews, with critics calling it one of the best video game adaptations ever made.
• The film stars Austin Abrams as a medical courier navigating a zombie outbreak in Raccoon City, featuring a new original story rather than established game characters.
• Cregger removed several jokes after test screenings found the film too comedic, aiming to sharpen the horror elements while maintaining some humor.
• The movie is set to release in theaters on September 18, following a world premiere and a screening at the 2026 Fantastic Fest.
• The franchise has previously grossed over $1.2 billion globally, with this reboot being the second attempt after the 2021 'Welcome to Raccoon City'.

Background

This is the second reboot of the 'Resident Evil' franchise, which previously saw a 2021 film directed by Johannes Roberts that was a commercial and critical failure. The original series, led by Milla Jovovich from 2002 to 2017, grossed over $1.2 billion. Cregger's recent success with 'Barbarian' and 'Weapons' has positioned him as a key director for horror, and his decision to create an original story within the franchise has been a point of contention for some fans.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and The Hollywood Reporter both highlight the overwhelmingly positive early reactions, with Variety emphasizing the film's status as a 'cinematic spectacle' and THR noting its 'relentless tension.' Both outlets agree that the film's success is due to Cregger's ability to balance horror and humor, though Variety points out that the absence of legacy characters has upset some fans. The Yahoo article, while not providing specific reviews, suggests that the film's success could be a boon for video game adaptations, comparing it to 'Terminator 2' and 'Aliens' in terms of excitement. The archive articles provide context on Cregger's decision to trim jokes after test screenings, which aligns with the current reviews praising the film's balance of humor and horror.

Why it matters

The success of 'Resident Evil' could signal a new era for video game adaptations, showing that a faithful, high-quality adaptation can succeed even without relying on legacy characters. It also highlights the importance of test screenings in shaping a film's final cut, as Cregger's decision to trim jokes has been credited with improving the film's horror elements. The film's success could also impact the future of the 'Resident Evil' franchise, potentially leading to more adaptations and a renewed interest in the series.

What to watch

The film is set to open in theaters on September 18, with a screening at the 2026 Fantastic Fest on September 17. The success of the film could lead to more adaptations of the 'Resident Evil' franchise and potentially a sequel. Cregger's next project, 'The Flood,' is also anticipated, given his recent success with 'Resident Evil.'