New blood in Raccoon City
Zach Cregger — the director who surprised everyone with Barbarian — steers the latest Resident Evil movie away from retelling Leon or Jill’s stories. Instead, he drops us into a fresh, original mission inside Capcom’s universe. If you were braced for another reboot or faithful game-to-screen checklist, this one plays by its own rules.
Getting the horror vibe right
Reviewers keep circling back to the same thing: this film feels like a horror movie, not just a branded action picture. Early reactions point to real tension, eye-roll-free scares, and a healthy dose of gore that actually serves the mood.
More than flashy set pieces, the movie leans into the survival-game DNA — scarce supplies, creepy exploration, and creatures that make you squint at the screen. That sense of creeping dread is what many critics say finally captures the spirit of the games.
Why some outlets are cheering
Several critics, including big-name outlets, walked out of early screenings upbeat. Some even suggested it ranks alongside the better video-game adaptations — faint praise in a crowded field, but a welcome surprise here.
What’s being praised isn’t a perfect script so much as the atmosphere: the movie prioritizes mood and tension, and for a lot of reviewers that was the missing ingredient in past Resident Evil tries.
French critics weighing in
Across the pond, French writers are mostly positive too. They highlight tight pacing in parts, some effective jump scares, and sequences that feel like nods to longtime players.
That said, not every review is starry-eyed. Some point out a familiar-feeling plot and a second half that doesn’t hold the same steam as the beginning.
What fans might grumble about
One common talking point: the movie doesn’t bring back the franchise’s most beloved faces. For die-hard fans wanting to see classic characters front and center, that absence might sting.
Also, a few critics think the narrative plays it a bit safe by the end. But most agree the film trades exact replication of game beats for capturing the franchise’s mood — and that choice largely pays off.
The bottom line
After years of divisive Resident Evil adaptations, this new entry arrives with a clear selling point: it’s actually scary. It’s not flawless, but critics are appreciating a horror-first approach that leans into survival tension and atmosphere.
If you’ve been waiting for a Resident Evil that feels like the games without feeling like a scene-by-scene copy, this might be your movie. It’s now playing in theaters — go in with your heart rate up and your spare ammo low.