Film review: Resident Evil

Resident Evil is not just a great adaptation, but an excellent horror comedy that will thrill fans and newcomers alike.

On the coattails of two of horror cinema’s biggest successes Barbarian (2022) and Weapons (2025), Zach Cregger returns with an adaptation of one of gaming’s most beloved franchises - Resident Evil. And for me... Cregger remains 3/3.

As many may be aware, this is far from the first time Resident Evil has been adapted to the big screen. The series has been plundered plenty throughout the 2000s to hilariously disastrous effects, the majority of which were by Paul W. S. Anderson. Starring Milla Jovovich, these films only used the backdrop of the game series as a springboard for over-the-top cheesy action, with little to no effort being made to capture the atmosphere and terror of the games.

If Cregger’s Resident Evil is anything, it is not that - this new adaptation is solely dedicated to capturing the feeling of a Resident Evil game. This is done with confidence too - there are very few outright references to the game itself, and no recognisable characters, meaning Cregger and the team behind the film couldn’t just rely on nostalgia or Marvel-esque references to keep audiences hooked. Instead, Cregger tells a new story set parallel to the events of Resident Evil 2, where an outbreak consumes Raccoon City into a creature-infested hellscape.

Here we follow Bryan (Austin Abrams), a medical courier who is offered a triple-pay job to deliver a priority package to Raccoon City hospital. Unaware of the horrors unfolding, and procrastinating a conversation with his newly pregnant girlfriend, he takes the job, only to find obscene horror every step of the way.

Almost every element of this film - in form, presentation and direction - is a nod to the feeling and pacing of the games. For instance, this very simple A-to-B plot mirrors the objective-based plot of the games, keeping the momentum driving and forcing the protagonist deeper toward horror. This momentum allows for constant escalation of bad situations that Bryan finds himself in, much like the way a video game will up the ante as the player has more experience and resources. There is also a palpable ‘survival horror’ element to the way Bryan navigates his way through the plot. He has to constantly check his surroundings for ammunition or leverage against oncoming monsters, upping the tension when he finds himself in dangerous situations with no ammo - a feeling many a gamer can relate to. This video game-like structure lends itself to an effective horror film experience, no doubt due to the help of Abrams’ committed performance.

Abrams shines here as a returning collaborator with Cregger - despite this film’s short runtime, the entire length is spent in his perspective. Abrams carries this weight with finesse, balancing a grounded yet comical performance as Bryan. Bryan is an excellent mirror to the audience, as he sells the terrified confusion of an everyman witnessing nightmarish terror, resulting in both scares and many laughs. There is a distinct effort to emphasise his normalcy amongst the chaos - he is terrible at handling weapons, too scared and backs away in some scenarios, and swears every other word. To me, this felt like a nod to the experience of playing as Grace Ashcroft in the previous instalment, Resident Evil 9, whose cluelessness and fear, much like Bryan’s, enhanced the fear factor tenfold.

Cregger’s approach to direction and cinematography had the energy of a video game at times, but didn’t skimp on a richer, high-budget approach. There were some excellent portions in 1st person perspective, a nod to RE7 and RE8, with some other intense moments in a third-person perspective like the classic RE titles. These are used sparingly to add to the visceral tension of scenes, leaving room for some more impressively cinematic camera work, particularly in the first act that involves gorgeous depictions of snowy landscapes. I’m excited to grab this release on physical to watch on my OLED TV - a display with excellent contrast and black levels will make sure no visual brilliance is left muddy. Get in touch with your local Richer Sounds for the best deals on home cinema setups!

Funnily enough, my biggest gripe with the film is also often shared with the games - another point to Cregger for accuracy. The final act of the film didn’t stick the landing for me - I loved the constant escalation of bio-horror madness, but the last 15 minutes nosedived into completely bizarre territory that completely undermined the bubbling tension of the first and second act. I can’t fault this for being a departure from the games; however, it is classic Resident Evil formula to have an overly bombastic ending. I was also slightly let down by the music and sound design - most RE titles have some iconic sound design in creature design or tension-building music, whereas the film took a more generic approach with little to remember.

Despite these small grievances, Resident Evil was a complete success in my eyes, as a horror film enjoyer and avid Resident Evil fan. Cregger’s knowledge and love for the series clearly shine through, which is more than can be said for most video game film adaptations. It’s an excellent addition to his horror film catalogue, and whilst I probably prefer Barbarian and Weapons for their more meaty plots, Resident Evil excels at being a no-fuss, hilarious and gritty thrill ride.