'The best videogame movie' ever? The first reviews of Zach Cregger's Resident Evil adaptation are absolutely glowing
Early reviews for Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil movie, releasing September 18, hail it as the best video game adaptation ever, praising its fresh approach and horror authenticity.
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil movie arrives on September 18, accompanied by overwhelmingly positive early reviews from critics. Multiple outlets describe it as the best video game adaptation to date, though studios hand-picked these reviewers, urging caution about initial enthusiasm. PC Gamer did not receive a press screening and cannot provide its own assessment at this time.
GamesRadar+ awarded the film four out of five stars, calling it the best Resident Evil movie and best video game movie ever made, despite the absence of iconic characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Polygon praised Cregger’s fusion of franchise love and genre expertise, highlighting the film’s blend of humor, horror, and gameplay immersion.
GameSpot and IGN both rated the movie eight out of ten, with GameSpot noting the director’s avoidance of direct game comparisons and IGN emphasizing its survival horror focus. Discussing Film echoed this sentiment with four out of five stars, calling it a high bar for video game movies while retaining the franchise’s demented spirit.
Collider and AV Club lauded the film’s lean runtime of 90 minutes and clever nods to the source material, with Collider calling it a mean-spirited spin on the franchise. Rolling Stone and Variety described it as gross, funny, and scary, with Variety dubbing it a sweetly executed piece of escapist trivia.