‘Resident Evil’ Reviews Are Positive — 79 Metacritic, 97% Rotten Tomatoes

The review embargo has lifted on Zach Cregger’s “Resident Evil,” and reviews are mostly positive. IndieWire (B+), Next Best Picture (7/10), The Wrap, Awards Watch (B+), Slant Magazine (3/4), The Film Maven (B), IGN (8/10), The Guardian (4/5), Slash Film (7.5/10), Empire (3/5), Time Out (3/5), The Independent(4/5), Collider(4/5), The A.V. Club (B), Variety, THR.

The aggregates have it at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 79 on Metacritic.

The consensus is that it's a fast, gory, genuinely funny horror-comedy that captures the feeling of playing the games, and many call it the best ‘Resident Evil’ film yet — which isn't a very high bar. Screen Rant and The Guardian note heavy John Carpenter influences, especially "The Thing"-style body horror.

Praise for Austin Abrams is also very much present. He's “charming and funny, carrying most of the film nearly alone” with a small supporting cast. Some, like Time Out, find it more goofy and stylish than scary, and a few critics point to uneven pacing, including a first half that outshines the rest.

So, as expected, this is lighter and less ambitious than “Weapons,” though still a lot of fun. I'm back in town and will be catching a screening of “Resident Evil” tonight.

“Resident Evil” cost $80M, with a significant portion of that budget reportedly going toward Cregger, who was paid $20M to direct the film. I’m now predicting a $50M domestic opening weekend for this movie, which will only further cement Cregger’s drawing power after “Barbarian” and “Weapons.”

The runtime is only 95 minutes, and follows Bryan, played by Austin Abrams, a package delivery driver tasked with transporting a mysterious briefcase to Raccoon City Hospital during a deadly virus outbreak. Abrams plays a slightly off-kilter, druggie type who gets thrown into chaos.

“Resident Evil” hits theaters on September 18, 2026, via Sony.