Sony has released its second big-screen remake of Resident Evil, and the internet is already reacting. The film premiered at the 2026 Fantastic Fest on Tuesday night, and early social-media posts from festivalgoers are rolling in ahead of the full embargo deadline.
The film is directed by Zach Cregger, whose credits include Weapons and Barbarian. It returns to Racoon City and follows a viral outbreak that turns people into monsters. Austin Abrams plays a medical courier caught up in the chaos, with Zach Cherry, Kali Reis and Paul Walter Hauser rounding out the cast.
Full reviews are embargoed until 9 a.m. PT on Sept. 16. The film hits theaters globally on Sept. 18.
The Premise and the Cast
Cregger’s version takes viewers back to Racoon City. The plot centers on a medical courier who finds himself trying to survive as the outbreak spreads.
Abrams plays the lead role. Cherry, Reis and Hauser fill out the cast. The film is described as an action-horror movie based on the popular video games.
The History Behind the Remake
Resident Evil has been on screens since 2002, when the Milla Jovovic-led original film series launched. That series ran for six films across 14 years:
- Resident Evil (2002)
- Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
- Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
- Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
- Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
- Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
Sony and Constantin Films first rebooted the franchise in 2021 with Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. That Johannes Roberts-directed film starred Kaya Scodelario, Hannah John-Kamen, Robbie Amell and Tom Hopper. It was a commercial and critical failure.
The franchise took another hit in 2022 when Netflix canceled a planned Resident Evil TV series.
The Social Media Reaction So Far
The early posts are mixed, with some fans welcoming the return and others wary of another attempt at a property that has struggled before. One post captured the sentiment: “Resident Evil is back! Again.”
Another commenter pointed to the embargo rules: “Sony has allowed festivalgoers to post brief thoughts on the film after its screening, with full reviews for Resident Evil embargoed until 9.a.m. PT on Sept. 16.”
The Director’s Credits
Cregger is a director with a specific style. His previous work includes Weapons and Barbarian.
The Cast’s Roles
Abrams plays the medical courier caught up in the outbreak. He is the lead of the film.
Cherry, Reis and Hauser round out the cast. Their roles were not detailed in the announcement.
The Embargo Timeline
The embargo runs from the premiere through Sept. 16. Festivalgoers can share brief thoughts now, but full reviews are locked down until the deadline.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Premiere at Fantastic Fest | Tuesday night |
| Full reviews embargo lifted | 9 a.m. PT on Sept. 16 |
| Theatrical release | Sept. 18 |
The Bottom Line
Sony has bet big on Resident Evil twice now. The first reboot flopped. The second one is still under embargo.
The film hits theaters on Sept. 18. The embargo lifts on Sept. 16, and the verdict will be out soon.
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