Resident Evil Movie (2026) Review

Let me preface this by saying if you haven’t already seen Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil, go into it blind. It was the first movie I’ve seen in a long time I didn’t have spoiled by the internet and I hope you can experience it like that too. This being said after you reach this part of the review I assume you’ve either acknowledged minor spoilers or have already seen the movie and would like to discuss it.

POINT OF NO RETURN:

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I’d like to clarify I am not a huge resident evil fan. I mostly watched someone else play the games, and I have no prior experience with any of the other movies.

That being said I still know a good bit about the lore. I heard a lot of talk online about “this isn’t real resident evil” or some other similar thing. I can wholeheartedly say I disagree with that conclusion. The monsters are Resident Evil, the camerawork is Resident Evil, the setting and set/prop work is VERY Resident Evil, the only thing that isn’t Resident Evil is the lack of Umbrella logos on literally anything and I still think that’s fine.

Even not being a diehard fan I was still able to catch 99% of the background item easter eggs (first aid spray, green herb, shotgun ammo, although somehow I missed the typewriter but I think it’s cause I have a similar typewriter so I just tuned it out as normal lol). I wish there were some more of the iconic enemies from the games, but mostly my only problem with the monsters were that they got a little repetitive towards the end.

I wish they had done a little more with the Maternity Ward and the whole parent subplot. I also think there was a missed opportunity for the zombies jumping off the buildings to reform into one of the amalgams but I understand they had to establish fall damage as the only cause of death for the infected (although I was expecting fire and explosions to be their weakness).

I’m a little pissed that they gave away around half of the best zombie scenes in the trailer, but I also think it barely avoided spoiling too much with it (which a lot of new movies do).

Now purely as a movie, I think the main plot and subplots are very well developed in the first 2/3s of the movie, but towards the end it starts to lose me. I think a lot of people are overhating on the ending, but at the same time I also understand why. I think if some of the plot had been slightly more wrapped up and the ending didn’t feel as abrupt then I’d be able to give this movie a 9.5/10 (maybe 10 who knows) but as it stands my final verdict is it’s a 9/10 and a 2026 must see.

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I’d also like to briefly touch on the movie’s popcorn bucket, which took the form of the organ transplant bag the main character toted throughout the entire movie, and this thing might genuinely be top 5 popcorn buckets of all time. I could make a whole damn entry on what makes a good popcorn bucket but this one had everything. The thing it was based on was a recognizable aspect of the film, it might be the only popcorn bucket useful after the film (although the dune popcorn bucket does exist) because it’s an actual cooler and good if you wanna do a costume of the main character, and on top of all that it was only $20. My only problem with it is that none of the theater chains that supposedly stock it have it near me, and the online store had it completely scalped within the hour, and now it’s being resold for ridiculous numbers. I sadly most likely won’t get my hands on one, but it was worth a shot anyway

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Thank you for putting up with my ramblings! Let me know what you thought of the movie (especially if you’re more well versed in the games than me).

Also if you haven’t seen the movie and you read this far I hope not too much was spoiled for you and you’re able to make it to the theaters to enjoy this film!