The “Resident Evil” video game franchise has made the leap to theaters many times, but its live-action legacy has not always reflected the nerve-shredding survival horror that made the games famous. The Milla Jovovich-led “Resident Evil” films leaned hard into slick sci-fi action, elaborate fight scenes, and blockbuster spectacle rather than pure, claustrophobic fear. Zach Cregger’s upcoming “Resident Evil” movie appears ready to steer the series back toward its darker roots. For the latest details on the new film, along with behind-the-scenes insight, watch Looper’s video above.
The timing could hardly be better. In recent years, the “Resident Evil” games have undergone their own creative shift. Although the franchise has dabbled in action-heavy entries, “Resident Evil 7: Biohazard” and “Resident Evil Village” pushed the series closer to atmospheric, old-school survival horror. Judging by the first “Resident Evil” movie trailer — a wintery, visually striking preview loaded with menace — Cregger seems to be following that same path. That direction makes sense for the filmmaker behind the acclaimed horror films “Barbarian” and “Weapons.” If the footage is any indication, his version of “Resident Evil” may feel unlike anything the franchise has brought to the screen before.
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The new Resident Evil movie combines action and atmosphere
Sony Pictures Releasing/Dušan Martinček
Cregger’s involvement is the headline attraction, but the creative team and cast surrounding him are also worth watching. He co-wrote the screenplay with Shay Hatten, whose credits include multiple entries in the “John Wick” franchise. That combination suggests a film with both genre confidence and sharp momentum, while the announced ensemble brings additional intrigue to the project.
Austin Abrams, known for “Euphoria,” leads the “Resident Evil” movie as Bryan, a medical courier suddenly forced into a bleak and isolated fight to stay alive. The cast also includes Zach Cherry of “Severance,” Kali Reis from “True Detective: Night Country,” Paul Walter Hauser of “Cobra Kai,” and Johnno Wilson from “Twisted Metal,” giving the survival horror reboot a strong lineup of performers as it prepares to carve out a new identity on the big screen.
“Resident Evil” arrives in cineplexes on September 18, 2026. With Cregger bringing his patented atmosphere to the project, many fans are hoping that this will be one of the best “Resident Evil” movies yet. If you want more information on it, Looper’s video above is the best way to find out precisely what to expect.