Zach Cregger’s New Resident Evil Opens to a Record 96% on Rotten Tomatoes

The cinematic reboot of Resident Evil from director Zach Cregger (Barbarian) has caused an unexpected sensation in the trade press. Ahead of its premiere, set for September 18, 2026, the film’s rating on the Rotten Tomatoes aggregator has settled at 96% “fresh” based on 70 professional reviews. That is an all-time record among all live-action adaptations in the history of the Capcom franchise.

Horror Instead of an Endless Action Movie

The previous films starring Milla Jovovich and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, along with the 2021 reboot attempt “Raccoon City,” consistently sank into the critics’ “rotten” zone, earning between 20% and 40% approval and staying afloat mainly on undemanding box office returns. Cregger’s work has outdone even his own directorial debut: the acclaimed indie horror Barbarian holds 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Reviewers unanimously praise the film for its frantic pace, oppressive atmosphere of isolation and relentless suspense. In a review by The Guardian, the picture is called a model claustrophobic thrill ride that returns the film franchise to the roots of the classic horror genre. According to critics, the film manages to capture the feel of the original video games far more accurately than previous attempts, even though its straightforward plot sometimes falls short of the inventive visual staging.

Brian’s Night Shift as a Courier in Raccoon City

The reboot’s success stems largely from the bold decision to abandon a shot-for-shot retelling of the games’ plots. According to the synopsis on Sony Pictures’ website, viewers are in for an original story: at the center of events is an ordinary medical courier named Brian, played by Austin Abrams. While making a delivery, the protagonist lands at the epicenter of a viral outbreak in Raccoon City and must survive one crazy night surrounded by mutants.

The final score may still shift slightly as new reviews arrive after the premiere. However, the first reactions guarantee the project powerful momentum: for the first time in its history, Sony Pictures has a film based on the Resident Evil universe that enjoys unequivocal recognition from demanding critics.