The new Resident Evil film from writer/director Zach Cregger lands in cinemas this September, and last week’s trailer proves the franchise reboot is focusing back on its horror roots.
Film News Blitz writer Jonathon House takes a look at what we know so far.
What is the new ‘Resident Evil’ film about?
It looks like the plot will follow a medical courier, played by Austin Abrams, during the initial T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City, which takes direct influence from the early Resident Evil video games.
The trailer definitely looks dark and gritty, exactly how a Resident Evil movie should look.
It shows Abrams’ character isolated, in an abandoned house, calling his Girlfriend to exclaim the severity of his situation, a sequence that is intercut with other blood-curdling clips from across the upcoming film.
Cregger has claimed the film is trying to return to its video game horror roots, and the trailer clearly demonstrates this.
He’s a director worth keeping faith in, after his film Weapons was one of the horror hits of 2025.
History of the franchise
The first-ever Resident Evil game was released in 1996.
It became popular for being a survival horror game, changing the horror video game genre forever, spawning several follow-ups, with releases of new instalments continuing to this day.
The story is set in the Arklay Mountains near Raccoon City.
Players could choose between two members of the elite S.T.A.R.S. team: Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine.
After their helicopter crashes, they take refuge in the mysterious Spencer Mansion.
The first live-action movie was released in 2002, starring Milla Jovovich, but it departed significantly from the game, which many fans were unhappy about, leading them to call for a more faithful adaptation.
Jovovich starred in another five live-action Resident Evil movies, and there was a live-action reboot in 2021, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.
There have also been four animated features, as well as Netflix series that failed to take off.
Will the new film live up to the hype?
A lot of fans are hoping Cregger’s Resident Evil will live up to the original game’s horror roots.
The last Resident Evil movie came out in 2021, and fan response was very divided.
This time, fans are hoping for a more accurate adaptation of the video games.
Will it live up to the hype? It has a lot to prove, but fans will definitely be interested to see how it does.
Resident Evil is in cinemas on 18 September 2026.
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