Ars Technica Review Calls Latest 'Resident Evil' Reboot the Fresh Take the Franchise Needed
Ars Technica's review, published September 22, 2026, praises director Zach Cregger's take on Resident Evil as a blend of horror, humor and gore that works even for non-fans, after the 2021 reboot and a 2022 Netflix series fell short.
The reviewer wrote that he had been undecided about seeing the film at all, citing how uninspired the previous reboot attempt in 2021 had turned out to be. He changed his mind because Cregger directed last year's Weapons, which the reviewer called phenomenal, and because early word of mouth around the new film was extremely positive. According to the review, the decision paid off: the film is terrific, and Cregger's distinctive sensibility is what the franchise required, offering a genuinely new approach to a well-worn fictional world by mixing horror, humor and over-the-top gore in what the reviewer described as the right proportions. The review also notes that familiarity with the Resident Evil franchise is not necessary to enjoy the film.
The Resident Evil franchise dates back to the 1996 debut of the first game, which Ars Technica describes as an immediate commercial and critical success and which generated sequel games, comics and novels. It also produced a lucrative film series directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich. According to the review, those films drew mixed reviews despite their large box office returns.
The earlier attempt to restart the film series, Welcome to Raccoon City, was released in 2021. Ars Technica reports that it was critically panned and grossed just $42 million worldwide against a $25 million budget. The studio dropped plans for a direct sequel, and a Netflix series released in 2022 was canceled after a first season the review characterizes as less than stellar.
The Ars Technica review is based on the critic's own viewing of the film and notes that it contains spoilers, with advance warning promised before any major reveals.