Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil (2026): Is it worth the watch?

By Staff Writer Abigaile Lei

Filled with high-stakes action, mutating zombies, and a variety of nods to the classic video game, Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is a chaotic and emotional return to the survival-horror zombie franchise. Released on September 18, the film follows Bryan (Austin Abrams), a medical courier delivering a high-priority medical package to Raccoon City General Hospital, unaware of the viral outbreak that awaits him.

Bryan initially sees the delivery job as an easy way to make money, but begins to second guess upon learning that his girlfriend (Sara Paxton) is pregnant. After an argument breaks out between the two, Bryan accidentally hits a woman and skids off the road. Things quickly escalate as Bryan discovers that the woman is infected with the zombie virus. 

Unlike the franchise’s usual protagonists, Cregger introduces a lead that is not a trained soldier, police officer, or experienced zombie killer. Instead of immediately becoming an action hero and journeying from checkpoint to checkpoint, Bryan spends much of the film confused and scrambling, repeating mistakes as he tries to survive and make sense of his situation. However confused or lost he is, his courage and inner conscience keep him going; even when bitten and infected himself, Bryan continues to push forward when he  learns that he is carrying the cure to the disease. His willingness to keep fighting despite the slim odds of returning home makes his journey feel more impressive and admirable. 

Throughout the film, Bryan’s personal struggle with fatherhood is beautifully captured through the repeated presence of Michelle, despite her never physically appearing on the screen. Their first conversation establishes Bryan’s uncertainty about becoming a father. Rather than immediately embracing the news of Michelle’s pregnancy, he hastily exclaims “Your body, your choice!” much to her disappointment. 

Her role throughout the movie gradually shifts from being a source of conflict to becoming his main reason for wanting to survive. Later, when Bryan sits hopeless in an empty parking lot, he records a voice memo for Michelle, confessing that he truly wants to have a child with her and believes that she will be an amazing mother. By this point, he is no longer thinking of escaping the city; he is desperately holding on to the possibility of returning to his family

Despite its moments of chaos, Resident Evil finds its strongest narrative in Bryan’s humanity. He is scared, inexperienced, and constantly making mistakes, but he continues to push forward, even when giving up would be so much easier. While the film might not follow the traditional storyline of the video games, it certainly hits just as hard.

 

Grade: A