Resident Evil (2026) Review: Surpisingly Hilarious and Entertaining Survival-Horror!

September 28, 2026 Surya Komal 0 Comments Austin Abrams, English Movies, Hollywood, Hollywood Movie Reviews, Hollywood Movies, Resident Evil, Zach Cregger

Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil is a wild mix of survival horror, grotesque body horror and surprisingly hilarious comedy. While the film delivers plenty of nightmarish creatures, gruesome mutations and nerve-racking situations, it also has a rather playful side that makes the experience all the more entertaining. Rather than building an elaborate narrative around a global catastrophe, Cregger keeps the story grounded in one man’s desperate attempt to survive, giving the film a distinctly chaotic yet refreshingly straightforward identity.

The story follows Bryan (Austin Abrams), a medical courier who takes on a high-priority delivery job to Raccoon City General Hospital, only to find himself caught in the middle of a catastrophic T-virus outbreak. As the hospital descends into chaos and becomes overrun by terrifying, mutated creatures, Bryan must navigate its monster-infested corridors and survive the horrors unfolding around him. With no conventional heroic abilities to rely on, his primary objective remains simple: make it through the nightmare and deliver the package.

One of the biggest surprises for me was just how funny this movie is. Keeping the horror aside for a moment, the comedy is genuinely hilarious and consistently woven throughout the film. Much of it comes from Bryan himself, whose determination to complete his delivery remains intact despite the increasingly absurd and dangerous situations he encounters. His nonchalant attitude, dry humor and matter-of-fact responses to the horrors around him make for some genuinely amusing moments.

Austin Abrams absolutely shines in this role, bringing his characteristic dialogue delivery and effortless comedic timing to a character whose priorities remain uncomplicated, even when everything around him is falling apart.

Coming to the horror, I really liked how simple the storyline is. The film essentially takes Bryan from Point A to Point B, with the journey in between forming the heart of the narrative. As he navigates the facility, he encounters a variety of ghoulish, shape-shifting entities that are genuinely disturbing to look at.

The body horror is particularly impressive, with some incredibly creative and unusual creature designs. The maternity ward sequence, in particular, is a striking example of the film’s willingness to push its grotesque imagination to some truly uncomfortable places. Alongside the jump scares, the film maintains a strong sense of tension, making you root for Bryan to reach his destination while keeping you invested in the physical and psychological toll each encounter takes on him.

This is also a different kind of film for Cregger, although it still carries some of the sensibilities seen in “Barbarian” and “Weapons.” Here, he seems to have an absolute blast embracing the absurdity of the premise, blending outrageous horror with comedy and allowing his imagination to run wild. The film’s distinct visual world is also a testament to the work of its set design, art, makeup and costume teams, whose efforts bring the grotesque creatures and unsettling environments to life.

Ultimately, Resident Evil is an entertaining survival-horror ride that knows exactly what it wants to be. Its straightforward storytelling, inventive body horror and consistent comedy make for an engaging experience, while Austin Abrams’ performance gives the film much of its personality. It may not be interested in reinventing the genre, but Cregger’s playful direction and willingness to go completely over the top make this a memorable, gruesome and thoroughly enjoyable outing.