Zach Cregger's new Resident Evil film, set to release on September 18, is receiving strong initial reviews, with several critics labeling it the best video game adaptation ever made. While these early assessments are often curated by studios, they offer a promising outlook for fans of the franchise and the horror genre.
Despite PC Gamer not receiving a press screening, other outlets have shared their impressions. GamesRadar+ awarded the film 4 out of 5 stars, with critic Jordan Farley stating that "despite much pre-release griping over the absence of iconic game characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, director Zach Cregger's Resident Evil isn't just the best Resi movie by a distance; it's the best video game movie full stop."
Polygon's review, scoring 91 out of 100, highlighted Cregger's unique vision. Critic Jake Kleinman noted, "Cregger takes his love for both the franchise and the genre and channels them into something we've never really seen before. Resident Evil is funny, scary, gross, and beautiful. Above all else, it captures the fight-or-flight experience of actually playing a Resident Evil game."
GameSpot gave the film an 8/10, with Eric Frederiksen writing that by deviating from the established game narratives and characters, Cregger allows audiences to "finally experience Resident Evil ourselves, through our own eyes." IGN also awarded it an 8/10, with Tom Jorgensen praising the film's "laser focus on putting its hero through the worst night of his life" and calling it a "simple and exciting survival horror story."
Discussing Film offered a 4/5 rating, observing that Cregger's original story "sets a new high bar for video game movies by capturing the source material’s demented spirit while doing something clever and inventive with it." Collider's 8/10 review described Cregger's take as a "lean, mean spin on an iconic horror franchise" that cleverly uses the margins of the existing games while offering nods to its source material.
The AV Club gave the film a 'B' grade, noting its success in balancing "gags and gross-outs." Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety, while not assigning numerical scores, echoed sentiments of praise for Cregger's direction and the film's blend of horror, humor, and inventive storytelling. The Hollywood Reporter's Frank Scheck called it a "propulsive, simultaneously terrifying and hilarious thrill ride."
Other reviewers, including those from Land of the Nerds and the Irish Times, also hailed the film as a significant improvement over previous adaptations and a strong entry in the video game movie genre. Adam Olinger of Adam Does Movies specifically called it "the best videogame movie of all time."