‘Resident Evil’ Racing Toward Healthy Box Office Haul for Zach Cregger’s Reboot

Resident Evil, directed by Zach Cregger, stars Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Johnno Wilson, and Paul Walter Hauser. The film follows an ordinary courier named Bryan who finds himself caught up in the Umbrella Corporation's biological disaster. Cregger's approach treats the franchise more as a playground for horror and black comedy, rather than sacred scripture.

The film's humor is often wickedly timed, providing an unstable tone that blends screams and laughter. However, the structure struggles, as Bryan's journey becomes a series of grotesque encounters, each introducing new mutations before the film speeds towards its inevitable conclusion. While the energy rarely wanes, the storytelling can feel more like a murderous checklist than a coherent narrative.

Bryan's emotional subplot with his girlfriend is also weak, struggling to fit into the chaos. Austin Abrams carries the film with charm, delivering Bryan's terror with authenticity, making his disbelief a source of humor instead of heroic stoicism. However, the supporting cast is less impressive, with Paul Walter Hauser and others serving mainly as brief obstacles or exposition providers.

The creatures themselves add personality, with the effects department inventing increasingly unpleasant ways for the infected to appear. Cinematography by Dariusz Wolski and score by The Holladays enhance the experience, creating a visually squirm-inducing world of fear. Overall, Resident Evil understands that horror need not be somber, making it an entertaining nightmare, albeit not the most haunting one.