Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Early Reactions Have Fans Excited
Video game adaptations often struggle on the big screen, and ‘Resident Evil’ has faced more challenges than most. Despite a series of live-action films and shows over the years, none have truly captured the essence of the beloved games, leaving the franchise in the company of disappointments like ‘Super Mario Bros.’ and ‘Doom.’
Zach Cregger’s involvement brings a sense of hope. The director known for ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Weapons’ is crafting an original story rather than following a specific game plot, focusing on Bryan, a medical courier portrayed by Austin Abrams, whose horrifying night spirals into chaos.
Ahead of its September 18 release, Sony Pictures screened the first 30 minutes of the film for select press and fans in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas. The reactions indicate that the ‘Resident Evil’ curse might finally be lifting. Nerdist’s senior editor Kyle Anderson, who viewed an 18-minute cut, described the footage as exciting and scary with the requisite bits of dread, noting it aligns well with Cregger’s previous work.
Social media responses from the screenings have been equally positive. Critic Tyler Disney expressed that he was completely captivated, stating that Cregger immerses you in the world and calling the film fresh, original, and surprisingly funny, highlighting Abrams as the perfect lead.
Nick L’Barrow from World of Screens also praised the footage, claiming it fucking slaps and plunges viewers into the action, with standout elements including the film’s video-game-like visuals, effective scares, and Abrams’ portrayal of a bumbling hero. JoBlo’s critic echoed this enthusiasm, stating that Cregger had knocked it out of the park after viewing the same early footage.
The blend of scares, gore, and unexpected humor has been a consistent theme in nearly every reaction, with many viewers noting the film feels tense and thrilling despite only a small portion being shown. Given the franchise’s history of struggling to find that balance, achieving it in the initial minutes is a promising sign.
The first trailer for Zach Cregger’s ‘RESIDENT EVIL’ has been released.
In theaters on September 18. pic.twitter.com/eeVCAGzy6M
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 30, 2026
It’s important to note that these reactions are based on a partial screening, not full reviews of the completed film, and plenty may change once critics see the entire ninety-five-minute runtime. Nevertheless, the buzz has translated into significant commercial confidence, with projections indicating a global opening weekend between $120 million and $150 million.
The official ‘Resident Evil’ account has capitalized on this anticipation, promoting the film’s IMAX presentation and urging fans to secure their tickets ahead of the September 18 release. With Cregger’s established genre credentials and strong early audience reactions, ‘Resident Evil’ seems poised to finally provide the adaptation that long-time fans of the games have been eagerly awaiting for decades.
Whether the latter part of the film can maintain the tension and humor established in its opening remains a key question as the release date approaches. For now, the early buzz suggests Cregger may have solved a puzzle that has eluded filmmakers for over twenty years.
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