Following the uninspired 2021 reboot, there was significant hesitation surrounding the latest installment in the Resident Evil saga. However, driven by the critical acclaim for director Zach Cregger’s recent work, Weapons, and overwhelmingly positive early reviews, the decision was made to screen the film. The gamble paid off, resulting in a terrific movie that injects new life into a dormant series.
Cregger’s unique perspective provides exactly what the struggling franchise required: an innovative approach to a familiar setting that skillfully balances horror, comedy, and excessive gore. Importantly, the film is accessible and enjoyable even for viewers who are not dedicated fans of the long-running media property.
The franchise has a complex history dating back to the 1996 video game launch, which became an immediate hit and spawned numerous sequels, books, comics, and a highly profitable film series directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich. While the movies were box office successes, they received mixed critical reception.
The previous reboot attempt, Welcome to Raccoon City, was harshly criticized by reviewers and disappointed commercially, grossing only $42 million globally against a $25 million budget. Consequently, plans for a direct sequel were abandoned, and a subsequent Netflix series was also canceled after its first season underperformed.
Zach Cregger directing? I’m in. After his other work, I trust him to make something genuinely scary yet entertaining.
Does it actually improve on the games, or is it just better than the last reboot? That’s the bar we need to clear now.
I was so burnt out on the Paul W.S. Anderson era that I didn’t think anything could save this IP. Guess I was wrong!
Finally, a Resident Evil movie that doesn’t feel like a cash grab. The horror-comedy balance is exactly what this franchise needed.