Resident Evil

Synopsis: Medical courier Bryan unwittingly finds himself fighting for survival as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos. 

Movie Review: 

"Resident Evil" is helmed by Zach Cregger and draws inspiration from the beloved horror zombie video game franchise, set within the game's universe. Though it doesn't feature any characters from the original games, if you approach it expecting a relentless thrill ride packed with witty, sharp humor that blends horror and comedy elements, you'll find Austin Abrams delivering an outstanding lead performance that ranks among the finest in video game adaptations. Cregger's direction puts you right in the action through a first-person perspective that's intense, immersive, thrilling, and constantly moving—it'll make your heart race. The film also includes clever easter eggs for franchise fans, showing that Cregger genuinely understands and loves this world, which is really refreshing. What really makes this movie click is Austin Abrams' performance as Bryan, a struggling medical courier trying to survive the night. You can't help but root for him—he's bumbling and clumsy, maybe even a bit foolish, but his charm, wit, and humor make him endearing throughout. Abrams delivers an emotional and electrifying performance that stands among his career best. The film primarily follows him alongside a small supporting cast including Paul Walter Houser, Kali Reis, and Zach Cherry, who deliver solid performances despite limited screen time. The movie features some of the craziest, bloodiest, and goriest scenes I've seen all year. The zombie and monster designs are genuinely scary and terrifying—fans of the games will definitely appreciate them. I loved about 80% of this film, but my biggest complaint is the ending, which felt chaotic, over-the-top, tonally inconsistent, and left me disappointed. Still, "Resident Evil" is clearly the best movie in this franchise and proves Zach Cregger is a filmmaker worth watching. I'm giving it a 4/5 stars.

Director: Zach Cregger 

Cast: Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reiss, Johnno Wilson, Emily Piggford, Will Merrick, Zoe Bellas, Chris Lew Kum Hoi, Griffin Newman, Sara Paxton and Paul Walter Hauser 

Runtime: 95 Minutes