Spoiler warning: This review discusses the film’s premise, key character ideas and some creature developments. 🚨
I have watched plenty of horror films where characters make foolish decisions. Someone hears a strange noise and walks towards it. Another person ignores an obvious warning. Then somebody separates from the group for no sensible reason.
Usually, I am shouting at the screen.
However, Bryan, the central character in the new Resident Evil 2026 film, made me feel something different. I was not constantly frustrated by his choices. Instead, I found myself supporting him, even when he made mistakes.
That is, in fact, the film’s biggest achievement. Bryan is not a fearless action hero. He is not a highly trained soldier or a perfectly confident survivor. He is an ordinary courier who finds himself trapped inside an extraordinary nightmare.
For me, this is one of the best Resident Evil films, apart from the first one. Its strongest feature is the storyline. Rather than copying an existing game plot or repeating the same zombie formula, the film creates its own route through the familiar horror universe.
My Overall Opinion of the New Resident Evil Film
I enjoyed this Resident Evil 2026 much more than I expected. The film feels energetic, playful and intense without losing its horror identity. It has zombies, monsters, dark corridors and desperate escapes. Yet it also understands the strange humour that has always existed around video game survival horror.
The result is a film that feels like somebody has dropped an ordinary person into a game before explaining the controls. Bryan has no idea what is happening. He does not understand the rules. He does not know which creatures can be trusted or defeated. He simply reacts to each new disaster as it appears. That makes him a refreshing lead character.
Bryan Is an Unlikely but Likeable Hero
Austin Abrams gives Bryan a warm and entertaining performance. He brings nervous energy to almost every scene. Bryan works as a courier, which he describes as little more than being a delivery driver. He is tired, underprepared and eager to finish his shift. Then he accepts one final delivery during a snowstorm.
The money is attractive, so Bryan decides to continue. Unfortunately, he does not have the correct tyres or a four-wheel-drive vehicle. This immediately tells us something important about him. He is not reckless because he wants adventure. He is reckless because he needs the extra money. That detail makes him believable.
While driving through dangerous weather, Bryan hits a mysterious woman who suddenly appears on the icy road. Instead of escaping, he tries to help her. His decisions are not always sensible. Still, they usually come from a recognisable place. He is frightened, confused and desperate to do something useful.
A Horror Film Built Around Human Mistakes
One of my favourite elements is Bryan’s constant battle between confidence and panic. At times, he acts as though he understands the situation. Seconds later, he completely loses control. That emotional movement creates plenty of comedy. Bryan is never transformed into a perfect fighter. He remains a normal man who is attempting to survive impossible circumstances.
His muttering is especially funny. The film often lets us hear his frustrated thoughts when there are no other people around. He complains, swears and tries to make sense of the chaos. At one point, he is still concerned about his wet socks after enduring several terrifying attacks. That small detail captures the film’s humour perfectly. Bryan’s problems remain recognisably ordinary, even when zombies and monsters are surrounding him.
The Story Feels Different from Earlier Resident Evil Films
The storyline is the main reason I enjoyed this film so much. The earlier Resident Evil movies often focused on large-scale action, military operations and powerful central characters. Those films had their fans, but they sometimes moved away from the atmosphere of the games.
This new entry takes a different approach. It places us beside one ordinary person and lets us discover the danger with him. We do not receive every answer immediately. We learn about the outbreak through confusion, observation and survival.
That structure gives the film a stronger video game feeling. Bryan progresses from one dangerous situation to another. He encounters new threats, learns through failure and slowly understands what the creatures can do. It feels like watching a player learn the mechanics of a game for the first time.
The Zombies Have a Fascinating Evolution
I particularly enjoyed the way the zombies evolve throughout the film. The creatures do not remain completely "static". Their behaviour and physical nature change as they consume other infected beings. This idea gives the horror a more active biological quality. The infection feels like something that develops rather than a simple switch between life and death.
The zombie evolution also keeps the action unpredictable.
When I thought I understood the threat, the film introduced another variation. That uncertainty added tension to the later scenes. It also connects nicely with the series’ interest in mutation, transformation and experimental horror. The zombies are not merely obstacles for Bryan to shoot. They become part of a larger and increasingly dangerous process.
Monsters, Zombies and a Wider Horror Playground
The film eventually expands beyond traditional zombie horror. This was a welcome choice for me. The Resident Evil games have always included more than ordinary undead creatures. There are experiments, mutated organisms, frightening animals and monsters with different abilities. The movie understands that the series works best when it offers variety.
The creature design helps the film feel connected to the games without copying one specific storyline. Some viewers may prefer a straightforward zombie film. Personally, I enjoyed the broader monster approach. It gives the final section more imagination and helps the film stand apart from previous entries.
Zach Cregger’s Direction Keeps the Film Moving
Director and co-writer Zach Cregger controls the film’s pace with confidence. The story moves quickly, but it does not feel rushed for most of its running time. Each sequence brings a new problem, a new discovery or another dangerous encounter.
Cregger also understands comic timing. The jokes do not destroy the horror. Instead, they give the audience brief moments of relief before the next threat arrives.
The film is not as wildly broad as Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead films. However, it shares their willingness to mix fear, absurdity and physical comedy. There are moments when Bryan’s panic becomes almost cartoonish. Even then, Abrams keeps him grounded enough for us to care about his survival.
The Film Uses Jumpscares Carefully
I usually find many modern jumpscares predictable. They often rely on loud music rather than genuine tension. This film uses several familiar techniques, but some of its scares are very effective.
The strongest moments depend on timing and preparation. The film often encourages us to look at one part of the frame while danger develops elsewhere. That approach creates suspense before the scare arrives.
The film also benefits from its snowy setting. The cold roads, limited visibility and isolated locations make Bryan feel trapped. The environment becomes another obstacle. It is difficult to see, difficult to drive and difficult to know where safety might exist.
The Film’s Main Weakness
Although I enjoyed the movie, I felt the ending was less satisfying than the earlier sections. The film introduces intriguing questions about monsters, humanity and transformation. Unfortunately, it does not explore those ideas as deeply as I hoped.
There is a clear change in Bryan, but his personal journey stops just before reaching its full potential. After spending more than 90 minutes caring about him, I wanted a stronger emotional conclusion.
The film seems interested in asking whether something monstrous can retain its humanity. However, it stops before developing that question properly. This is not a disastrous flaw. The film remains entertaining and enjoyable. Still, the final act feels more like a pause than a fully developed conclusion.
My Final Verdict
I believe this is one of the best Resident Evil movies, with the first film remaining my favourite or very close to it. The fresh storyline makes a major difference. The movie does not simply repeat familiar events with new actors. Instead, it presents a new survivor, a different situation and a more game-like structure.
Austin Abrams makes Bryan likeable, funny and painfully human. His mistakes are frustrating at times, but they also make him believable. I also loved the evolving zombies. Their ability to change after consuming other infected creatures gives the outbreak an exciting new dimension. The film combines survival horror, monster action, dark comedy and video game-style progression. It is not perfect, especially during the final act, but it remains one of the most enjoyable entries in the series.
I found myself cheering for Bryan rather than criticising every bad decision. That is a strong sign that the film got its central character right.
My rating: 8.5/10
Resident Evil 2026 has been in cinemas since 18th September 2026. Have you watched it?
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