# Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil refreshes the struggling horror franchise

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/review-resident-evil-is-the-fresh-take-this-flagging-franchise-really-needed/
- Published: 2026-09-22T22:34:06+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-23T05:00:09+00:00
- Original publisher: Ars Technica
- Original article: https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/09/review-resident-evil-is-the-fresh-take-this-flagging-franchise-really-needed/
- Topics: Entertainment, Gaming, Horror

## Key points

- Cregger gives Resident Evil a fresh, entertaining reboot.
- The film balances scares, humour and grotesque gore.
- Austin Abrams anchors its tense survival story.

## Summary

Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil reboot is praised as a confident revival of the struggling horror franchise, combining horror, humour and extreme gore in a fresh but accessible way. The film reportedly works even for viewers unfamiliar with the games or previous adaptations, giving the series a distinctive new direction.

Set in present-day Raccoon City as the T-virus spreads, the original story follows medical courier Bryan, played by Austin Abrams, whose final delivery goes disastrously wrong after he hits an infected woman and becomes stranded. Abrams’ performance is singled out for conveying awkwardness, frustration and panic, while the reboot’s success contrasts with 2021’s poorly received Welcome to Raccoon City, which grossed $42 million worldwide against a $25 million budget, and a Netflix series cancelled after one season.

## Coverage

- [Ars Technica: Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil refreshes the struggling horror franchise](https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/09/review-resident-evil-is-the-fresh-take-this-flagging-franchise-really-needed/)
- [IGN: Resident Evil Fans Debate the Divisive Ending of Zach Cregger's Movie](https://www.ign.com/articles/resident-evil-fans-debate-the-divisive-ending-of-zach-creggers-movie)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.