Sony Pictures showed the press the first 30 minutes of the new "Resident Evil" before a meeting with director Zach Cregger. Journalists from The Playlist noted that what they saw "exceeded all expectations": they were scared by sudden jump scares and the unpleasant feeling that something horrible was lurking around every corner. The authors separately praised the absurd humor, which only makes the events even more unsettling. This is a rather atypical technique, as humor is usually used to relieve tension.
Cregger was asked if he himself could survive what the main character faces at the beginning of the film. The director admitted that he would have no chance, and also warned that the first half hour would be the easiest part of Brian's journey:
"The whole movie is structured like this: the hero constantly goes from one adrenaline-fueled situation to another. I wouldn't have a single chance to survive. I would die very quickly. And it only gets worse from there."
This aligns with Cregger's vision, who has repeatedly spoken about his desire to recreate the feeling of playing Resident Evil games. However, the film does not retell the events of any of the series' installments and even deviates from the original chronology, moving the Raccoon City disaster to a modern setting with smartphones.
The main character, Brian, played by Austin Abrams, is tasked with delivering a container with a donor organ to a Raccoon City hospital, but the simple task turns into a harsh struggle for survival. Brian will have to fight his way through increasingly dangerous locations, search for weapons, and fend off mutants who become only more terrifying with each new encounter.
The new "Resident Evil" is scheduled to premiere in international cinemas on September 18, 2026.