Resident Evil Review
Review: With a laser focus on putting its hero through the worst night of his life, Resident Evil is a simple and exciting survival horror story that benefits greatly from director Zach Cregger’s sensibilities.
Resident Evil, now in theaters on September 18, is a film adaptation of the Capcom games that is recommended to skeptics. Director Zach Cregger delivers a jet-fueled horror experience that captures the spirit of the games, while also providing plenty of tension, laughs, and a strong central performance from Austin Abrams.
Bryan, portrayed by Abrams, is a medical courier who is tasked with delivering a high-priority item through the mountains to Raccoon City General Hospital. The film keeps audiences engaged from the very beginning, as we witness our first zombie less than ten minutes into the movie. Cregger successfully builds tension and unpredictability throughout the film, creating an unpredictable energy that permeates the entire experience.
Austin Abrams' Bryan is a far cry from the typical action hero, instead being an everyman trying to make some extra cash and navigate relationship troubles. Abrams' performance is a standout, skillfully navigating Bryan's character development. The film's meta jokes about its video game roots feel somewhat dated, but overall, Cregger does an excellent job of adapting the Resident Evil games into a movie that serves both mediums well.
While the supporting cast receives little in the way of development, the truly captivating elements of Resident Evil lie in its creative, nightmarish mutants. These mutated creatures are the real stars of the show, keeping the audience engaged and unsure of what might happen next.
Written by urgent.news from IGN's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
