The LA Screening Experience
When a studio decides to adapt a franchise this massive, the final product better be damn good, because we definitely don't need any more bad video game adaptations.
Earlier this week, I drove all the way from Anaheim to LA to watch just the first 30 minutes of the new Resident Evil movie. It sounds ridiculous, but it was absolutely worth it. Sony Pictures and Reddit completely hooked it up. We grabbed some drinks and popcorn, and we got to sit in on a live Q&A with director Zach Cregger, hosted by Straw Hat Goofy. Seeing him run the panel in person was incredibly inspiring. I genuinely hope to get on his level one day.
Why Zach Cregger is the Perfect Fit
Let's get right to the point. This movie is honestly great. Just 30 minutes of footage had me wanting more immediately. I was pissed when the screen cut to black. I was hoping they'd surprise us and let the LA crowd watch the rest of the film, but we need to talk about the panel and how Zach Cregger's mind works.
Cregger directed Weapons, which legitimately sits right behind Obsession as one of my two favorite horror movies of all time. If there's one person who I feel could properly adapt Resident Evil, it's Zach Cregger, especially after watching Weapons.
This new Resident Evil balances elements of humor while still managing to be terrifying. It actually got me with a legitimate jump scare.
It's very rare for horror movies to actually work on me, so it felt incredible to physically react while watching it in a theater.
The Player's Perspective
So, how does it compare to the games and the older movies? A lot of people are already complaining that it isn't a direct 1:1 adaptation of the video games. Honestly, I don't care. I play the games, but I wouldn't call myself a die-hard fan. However, as a gamer, I can tell you this for a fact: this film feels more like a video game than any of the previous movies ever did.
Hear me out. When you watch the lead, played by Austin Abrams, navigate this world, you're watching him react exactly how a real player would.
Gamers love to act tough, but if we actually stepped into Raccoon City, we'd be the most ridiculous, bumbling idiots to exist.
Abrams isn't some elite marksman right out of the gate. He isn't great with guns, and his genuine reaction is basically, "What the f*** is going on here?" It feels incredibly immersive to experience this nightmare from the perspective of someone who's just as terrified and confused as we'd be.
The Marketing Strategy
I also have to compliment the marketing team. I'm a big proponent of avoiding trailers because they give away way to much of the plot, but the Resident Evil marketing has been brilliant! A majority of what has been shown in the trailers was pulled from the first 30 minutes of the movie. That gives me a lot of hope and anticipation for what we will see in the remaining hour of the movie. Admittedly, PlayStation did drop a new spot which was not in what I saw, but even that was just a single, scene that doesn’t give too much away.
Resident Evil Is Here
Resident Evil hits theaters on September 18, 2026. You should absolutely go see this in IMAX! People are going to be laughing, jumping, and having a blast. It's going to feel like playing a horror game in a crowded theater.
Are you hyped for the new Resident Evil, and what format are you planning to see it in on September 18, 2026? Let me know your favorite game in the comments below.