Critics Praise Zach Cregger's Resident Evil Reboot

Zach Cregger's new film Resident Evil has earned a 96 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Sony Pictures release, a reboot of the live-action franchise starring Austin Abrams, is being praised by reviewers for its successful blend of horror and comedy.

Based on the Capcom video games, the movie follows medical courier Bryan, played by Abrams, as he fights to survive a monster outbreak in Raccoon City over one chaotic night. The cast also includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser. Cregger, who directed Abrams in Weapons, also co-wrote the script.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director Zach Cregger addressed fan pushback over his decision to not use the games' legacy characters. "I know that when you dive into an IP you're going to get flack, a certain degree, from the fandom," Cregger said. He expressed hope that fans would ultimately feel the film pays homage to the source material.

Critical Reception

The Hollywood Reporter's own critic, Frank Scheck, highlighted Abrams' performance and the film's relentless energy. He wrote that the actor's "shaggy appeal as the everyman hero" is key, and described a movie filled with baroque gore and wildly imaginative set pieces delivered at a feverish pace.

Tom Jorgensen of IGN recommended viewers set aside preconceptions, calling the film a jet-fueled horror experience with tension, laughs, and a strong lead performance. He argued it succeeds by adapting the spirit of the games rather than slavishly following plot specifics, amplifying gameplay moments into effective horror movie beats.

Tone and Performance

Brandon Yu of The New York Times praised the film's balance of scares and humor, noting the comedy often stems from Abrams either shrieking in fear or muttering with incredulity. Yu described the movie as essentially a one-man show that uses laughter as a tool for tension and release, similar to a scream.

YouTube critic Jeremy Jahns noted the humor was sometimes excessive, suggesting they could have pulled it back a little bit to make the last act a little smoother. Despite this, he said he actually really enjoyed it, feeling the nods to the game did not feel like nostalgia bait and that the escalating scenario felt authentically like Resident Evil.

A New Standard for Adaptations

Chrishaun Baker of Inverse called the film one of the best video game adaptations ever made, specifically because it avoids trying too hard to please fans. Baker argued that by focusing on approximating the medium-specific feel of playing a game, Cregger created a satisfying experience for both newcomers and fans.

The Guardian's Jesse Hassenger offered a more measured take, comparing it to Cregger's previous film Weapons. While praising the film for making the audience care about its protagonist, Hassenger felt the character's journey was left incomplete, wondering if the film was awaiting a level up that never arrives. The movie currently holds a 91 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes alongside its high critical rating.