Cregger's Resident Evil Film Draws Positive Test Buzz

Director Zach Cregger's upcoming Resident Evil film has generated strong early buzz following positive test screenings, positioning it as a potential revival for the long-struggling video game adaptation franchise. The movie, an original story set within the Resident Evil universe, is slated for release on September 18, 2026, by Sony Pictures.

The film centers on a delivery courier in Raccoon City, played by Austin Abrams, who becomes entangled in a zombie outbreak while transporting a mysterious briefcase. Supporting roles feature Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Kali Reis as characters who join Abrams's protagonist amid the chaos. Unlike previous entries, the project eschews established franchise figures such as Jill Valentine or Leon Kennedy, opting instead for fresh faces to explore new facets of the Resident Evil world. Production began in October 2024, with editing wrapping up by February 2025.

Test audience reactions, reported from early screenings, describe the 90-minute thriller as a relentless, high-octane horror experience. Viewers likened its nonstop action and survival tension to George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road, praising its lean pacing, practical effects,...