Reported by ScreenRant, the new Resident Evil film has garnered widespread acclaim, boasting a stellar 95% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a strong 86% audience score from the notoriously discerning fanbase of the video game series. This dual success, both financially and critically, positions the movie as a significant turning point for a hybrid genre that has often struggled to find its footing.
Action horror, a blend of high-octane combat and terrifying monsters, has a checkered history. While films like James Cameron's 1986 classic Aliens, or cult favorites such as Near Dark (1987) and From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), occasionally broke through, the genre is littered with attempts that failed to resonate with critics or audiences. Movies like the Underworld series, World War Z, or even previous Resident Evil adaptations often struggled to balance their two core elements effectively, frequently sacrificing genuine scares for over-the-top action, or vice-versa.
Director Zach Cregger, known for his 2025 masterpiece Weapons, approached Resident Evil with a clear vision. The film centers on Austin Abrams' character, Bryan, an overworked courier whose late-night delivery to Racoon City General takes a terrifying turn after an unexpected accident. With a tight 95-minute runtime, a straightforward narrative, and a clever mix of self-aware humor and legitimate jump scares, Cregger's reboot demonstrates that the genre can indeed work when handled with precision.
A key to the film's success lies in its protagonist. Unlike many action-horror predecessors where heroes are virtually invincible, diminishing any sense of threat, Bryan is portrayed as a relatable, human character. While he navigates incredibly unlikely scrapes, his vulnerability is palpable. The film maintains a high body count and features unexpected departures for some characters, ensuring that viewers remain on edge, never quite certain who will survive Bryan's nightmarish ordeal. This approach successfully sidesteps the pitfall of making the horror elements less impactful by presenting an indestructible lead.
The widespread success of Resident Evil could signal a new era for action horror in mainstream cinema. While television has seen more consistent success with this blend, as evidenced by shows like The Last of Us and Ash Vs. Evil Dead, Cregger's film offers a compelling blueprint for multiplex features. Filmmakers looking to replicate this achievement would do well to learn from Resident Evil's most crucial lesson: authentic scares require a protagonist whose mortality is never truly in doubt, even amidst all the action.