RESIDENT EVIL (2026) Review
Directed by Zach Cregger
A refreshing, tense, and focused take on the franchise, Resident Evil takes us on a ride where we feel like an active participant in its terrifying world. While it might skip the jaw-dropping, blockbuster action sequences of recent entries, it more than compensates with an unsettling atmosphere, tight pacing, and edge-of-your-seat suspense that keeps you guessing until the very end.
What makes the experience so easy to enjoy is its grounded perspective. Following a commoner, played incredibly by Austin Abrams, thrown into the deep end allows you to witness the outbreak unfold in real time. You share in their confusion, question the bizarre world around you, and feel the exact same edge-of-your-seat suspense every time an infected steps into frame. That shared emotions turns standard watching into a deeply immersive thrill.
The beauty of it all is how simple the story is: Bryan (Abrams) just needs to deliver something to a hospital in Raccoon City. That straightforward mission forces us to face every obstacle head-on, exactly as it happens. We get to experience his struggles in real time, trying to figure out what to do next right along with him as everything goes wrong. There’s no complicated plot slowing things down—just a clear goal and pure survival.
And then comes that moment. The absolute shock and awe when the screen finally reveals Raccoon City in complete chaos is unforgettable. Seeing the full scale of the breakdown hits hard because you’ve spent so much time in the tight, personal panic of the journey leading up to it. It’s a massive visual payoff that locks you into the story for good.
Ultimately, this entry proves that Resident Evil doesn’t need constant explosions or massive set pieces to leave an impression. By stripping away the bloat and focusing on genuine survival dread, it delivers a lean, claustrophobic, and thoroughly captivating experience. If you’re looking for a ride that prioritizes slow-burn fear over Hollywood flash, this trip into the dark is well worth taking.
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Resident Evil is now showing in cinemas nationwide, also available in IMAX and 4Dx. Rated R-16 by the MTRCB.