Austin Abrams and director Zach Cregger at a movie premiere
TV & Film

Zach Cregger's 'Resident Evil' Earns Rave First Reactions After Premiere

Early viewers are calling Zach Cregger's upcoming horror reboot one of the greatest video game adaptations ever made.

BUZZBEAT NewsroomSep 16, 20261 min read

Zach Cregger is tackling one of gaming's most iconic survival-horror franchises, and early viewers are already hailing his spin on *Resident Evil* as a complete triumph. The filmmaker debuted his highly anticipated project on Tuesday night, prompting an avalanche of breathless reactions from moviegoers and critics on social media. Distributed by Sony Pictures under the Columbia Pictures banner, the feature stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, an everyday medical courier who gets plunged into the center of a horrific biological nightmare when a viral outbreak erupts. The movie marks a quick reunion for Cregger and Abrams, who previously teamed up on the acclaimed 2025 mystery-horror flick *Weapons*. ## resident evil zach cregger initial reviews Initial social media reactions praised the film's wild pacing and spine-chilling creature work. The host behind the Epic Film Guys podcast described the feature on X as a relentless ride filled with grotesque monsters, endless suspense, and heart-pounding action sequences that refuse to ease up on the audience. Others went even further in their praise, framing the movie as a major milestone for video game adaptations. Social account Global Box Office posted on X that Cregger's take stands as the most massive and effective *Resident Evil* cinematic entry yet, even calling it the top horror release of the year and Columbia's standout effort since Quentin Tarantino's *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood*. ## austin abrams resident evil premiere details The glowing word-of-mouth is a massive win for fans who have long clamored for a cinematic take on the video game property that captures its signature terrifying atmosphere. By placing a working courier inside a ground-zero nightmare, the project appears to focus heavily on tension and visceral survival horror. With early reactions establishing it as a must-see event, Cregger seems to have broken the infamous curse that often haunts video game adaptations. Moviegoers won't have to wait long to see if the full theatrical audience agrees with the premiere night hype.

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Austin Abrams and director Zach Cregger at a movie premiere
Zach Cregger and Austin Abrams in the story: Zach Cregger's 'Resident Evil' Earns Rave First Reactions After Premiere

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People also ask

Who stars in the new Resident Evil movie directed by Zach Cregger?
Austin Abrams leads the film as Bryan, a medical courier forced to survive a deadly viral outbreak.
How are the early reactions to Zach Cregger's Resident Evil?
Initial social media reactions following Tuesday's premiere praised the film as a wild, gory triumph and one of the finest video game adaptations ever made.
Is Zach Cregger's Resident Evil related to Weapons?
While they are different stories, both films are directed by Zach Cregger and star actor Austin Abrams, who played a supporting role in 2025's Weapons.