The first trailer for Zach Cregger’s upcoming Resident Evil reboot has sparked intense debate among gamers and horror enthusiasts. This new film, set in the zombie-overrun Raccoon City from the iconic video game series, centers on a medical courier portrayed by Austin Abrams from Euphoria. The courier fights to survive the night after a routine delivery goes awry.
Director’s Proven Track Record
Cregger, fresh off directing the box-office smash Weapons—which earned $270 million and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Amy Madigan—takes the helm. His previous hit, 2022’s Barbarian, marked his breakout in horror. A dedicated Resident Evil gamer, Cregger crafts an original tale within the franchise’s universe.
Fans Split on Creative Direction
The trailer promises relentless action and terror, billed as a high-stakes survival thriller. Yet, many longtime fans decry its departure from game storylines and characters. “This is basically a generic horror movie with the Resident Evil name slapped on it,” one gamer complained. Another echoed, “Just a generic zombie flick with nothing to do with Resident Evil.” A third added, “Not interested in another ‘Resident Evil’ movie that skips the source material’s story and characters.”
Supporters counter that fidelity to the games has failed before. They praise Cregger’s fresh approach. “This replicates playing a game, not a direct adaptation—and those haven’t worked,” one fan argued. “Cregger could have done a standard adaptation but chose his own inspired vision. Massive respect—this looks great,” another enthused.
Cregger’s Unique Approach
Cregger positions his story alongside Resident Evil 2’s events. “I wanted a tale in the Resident Evil world, on the periphery of Raccoon City’s chaos, capturing the games’ vibe and pacing,” he explained. He skipped Paul W.S. Anderson’s prior films, starring Milla Jovovich, which grossed $1.3 billion despite poor reviews. “The games offer single-perspective pacing and horror; those movies didn’t capture that,” Cregger stated.
History of Resident Evil Films
Anderson’s six films ended with 2017’s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, earning $312 million. Sony’s 2021 reboot, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, stayed truer to the games but flopped critically and commercially. Netflix’s 2022 series, a reimagining, drew solid reviews but ended after one season.
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil arrives in theaters on September 18, 2026.
