Resident Evil (2026) Review: Squandered yet superb-adjacent
Resident Evil was one of my most anticipated films of the year. A video game adaptation that looked really good in the trailers, plus the iconic Zach Cregger? I couldn't help but be excited. Did this film live up to the hype, or did it undermine its own potential? That's what I, Brighton Nelson of The Reel Ranker, will be discussing in today's review. Thank you so much for joining me, and I hope you enjoy your time on the site!
First, I'll start with the negatives, so we can leave the review on a high note. The film could've used more Easter eggs and references to the games to bolster its status as a love letter to fans. There were multiple beats where the film could've easily incorporated these and been better for it, but it wastes the potential. I didn't have as many problems with the comedy as many people have so far, but I'm a tad biased, since horror-comedy is perhaps my favorite film genre.
However, this indifference regarding the comedy comes with a crucial exception: the Umbrella Corporation. The final few minutes squander the games' potential and leave them looking like bumbling buffoons with superiority complexes. Their characters feel like a middle ground between Looney Tunes humor and the protagonist of Saw VI. Needless to say, that's not a faithful adaptation.
This also leads into the film's final note, which felt too fatalistic after the overwhelming comedy shown moments before. If the lab sequence hunkered down and committed to the darkness, I'd give the last sequence some grace and leeway. However, the final act condemned this flick to underperform being another Zach Cregger paragon and reduced it to clearing only the low bar set by the franchise's previous installments. A poor ending can sully even an incredible film and leave you with aspartame phantom pains, just like a dirty soda mixed with incompatible ingredients. This ending felt like an amalgamation of Sprite Zero, Irish cream, and black truffle salt, crème brûléed by a six-year-old with a medieval torch.
Nevertheless, while the flick may be one of the most disappointing of 2026 because of its Final Destination-level plane-crash conclusion, it still has a lot of merit. Austin Abrams' lead performance carried the entire experience from a stylish, well-shot film to one with genuine heart and relatability. While it's a pity his character arc drove off a cliff, his reactions were so realistic and awkward that they add another level of horror. He feels like a friend, not just a character. This especially shines through during the film's best story beat in the parking garage, where we see him emotionally broken and vulnerable.
The directing and cinematography were upper-echelon madness, juxtaposing stunning hues of red blood with the crisp whites of snow and sterile offices. This is Cregger's best-looking film to date, and one of the best-looking of 2026. His remarkable eye also leads to some of my favorite angles of any film I've ever watched, feeling like the video games all throughout, with a close third-person perspective that feels like watching a supremely high-res Let's Play in the best way. The paradigm shifts to first-person, amplifying this concept and adding tension and gravitas to the scenes.
The story is Cregger at his most barebones, but through meticulous care, he and the team craft an aura around the film imbued with the vim of the games. Using mechanics such as ammo conservation, lock-shooting, clear "levels" to complete, increasingly scary creatures, and optimal weaponry for the situation, he creates an unflappable essence that future survival-horror game-focused films should abide by.
The other excellent elements are highlighted by the prowess of the VFX and production design, which accentuate the flair of the camerawork in a marvelous manner. The gore effects, monster designs, and set pieces are immaculate and compound on each other to create an environment that's unabashedly and undeniably Resident Evil.
The Reel Ranker Verdict
Reel or Unreel? - Reel
The Reel Ranker Score: 70%
Letter Score: B
Star Ranking: 3.5 out of 5
Resident Evil is a film that encapsulates the holistic picture of the video games, without requiring any homework to watch. While its tone and final sequences doom it to be more disappointing than I hoped, it's still a marvel of filmmaking—and a firm foundation for future horror adaptations.
Interested in checking out some recent reviews for some other thriller and horror films? See them below!
Brighton Nelson
Brighton NelsonEnjoy this review? Stay tuned for more articles from The Reel Ranker! Enjoy video games, music, or books? Check out our sister site, RPG Ranked, Mr. Maestro, and Brighton's Bookshelf, respectively!
