The latest Resident Evil film, directed by Zach Cregger, has debuted to widespread critical acclaim, with early reviews calling it not only the best in the franchise but also one of the finest video game adaptations ever made. Rotten Tomatoes reports the horror reboot as 96% certified fresh, a significant departure from previous Resident Evil movie entries, which have historically received ‘rotten’ scores from critics.
Resident Evil Movie Reviews Hail Franchise Rejuvenation
Film critics are universally praising the new adaptation, noting its success in capturing the essence of the source material. Julian Roman of MovieWeb declared it “Easily the best Resident Evil film in the franchise,” a sentiment echoed by Owen Gleiberman from Variety, who described it as “different, and much better, than the other Resident Evil movies.”
Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter highlighted that Cregger, known for last year’s award-winning hit Weapons, has “completely rejuvenated the series, leaving the six original films and the misbegotten reboot attempt Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City in the dust.” Critics like Matt Goldberg of Decoding Everything are calling Cregger’s Resident Evil “one of the best video game movies ever made,” with Lisa Laman of Land of the Nerds placing it “up there with Exit 8 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as the best live-action video game movie ever made.” David Ehrlich of IndieWire suggested it “better reflects the essence of its source material than any of the previous movies” and “evokes what it feels like to play Resident Evil.”
Zach Cregger’s Unique Vision for the Adaptation
Director Zach Cregger’s distinct approach is cited as a key factor in the film’s success. He is noted for ably adapting the “spirit, if not the letter” of the Resident Evil games, largely discarding the ongoing mythology beyond broad outlines and leaning into the player’s perspective, according to Tom Jorgensen of IGN Movies. Reviewers observed that Cregger, an avid fan of the game who publicly stated he hasn’t seen any of the previous Resident Evil films, has delivered a “creepy-crawly squishfest” that avoids the typical “relentless” video-game-movie style.
Austin Abrams, who previously starred in Weapons, leads the cast which also includes Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Johnno Wilson. The film is described as “absolutely terrifying” by Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky, utilising both jump scares and ambiance to maintain a constant sense of dread throughout. Cregger also displays his obvious affinity for the source material, crafting a horror-comedy snapshot around the Raccoon City outbreak that creates its own glorious nightmares.
Strong Box Office Expectations and Global Reach
Financially, the new Resident Evil is projected for a strong global debut, with Deadline forecasting an opening of around $80 million worldwide. This includes an estimated $40 million to $50 million domestically and an additional $31 million from international markets. This would mark a franchise record for a domestic opening, surpassing the $26.6 million achieved by 2010’s Resident Evil: Afterlife.
The film, a $75 million production, is set for release in 62 offshore markets. The UK is identified as a key territory where an expanded audience is anticipated, with Sony International overseeing 58 of these markets. Previous Resident Evil titles have collectively earned over $1.2 billion globally. For more on successful film adaptations, readers might also be interested in Glen Powell’s Romance and Action Film Future or Obsession Star Inde Navarrette Eyes Gaming Future.