Resident Evil Returns in New Teaser for Controversial Reboot

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The Resident Evil movie series, always a point of contention among fans, is getting another fresh start, and even that decision is sparking debate. Some viewers enjoyed the early 2000s films starring Milla Jovovich as Alice, but others feel those movies didn’t do justice to the popular video game series they were based on.

Even though the first Resident Evil movie received mixed reviews, it was popular enough to generate five sequels, all starring Milla Jovovich, culminating in Resident Evil: The Final Chapter in 2016. However, that wasn’t truly the end! Now, acclaimed horror director Zach Cregger (known for Barbarian and other works) is taking on the challenge of restarting the film series.

The first glimpse of Cregger’s upcoming trailer clearly shows the direction he’s taking the Resident Evil franchise, a style that defined the films starring Jovovich in the early 2000s.

Expect pure horror from Cregger, as usual.

Zach Cregger: Resident Evil Reboot Is ‘Horror, NOT Action’

According to Cregger, Resident Evil really defines the survival horror genre. He emphasizes that it’s about creating true horror, not just action. What he appreciates most about games like Resident Evil is the intense feeling of dread they evoke – that sense of being forced to venture into a dangerous, dark place with limited resources, knowing something terrible awaits.

He went on to explain that he’d be pretty useless in a Resident Evil game, comparing himself to how he’d likely perform. He admitted he’s terrible with guns and wouldn’t be able to hit anything, despite having spent thousands of hours playing the games and really enjoying them.

I want to stay true to what makes these games special, both in how they feel and how they’re presented, and create a story that constantly throws you back into that exciting situation with ever-growing challenges.

This Isn’t Your Dad’s Resident Evil, Folks

Milla Jovovich’s films in the series made over $1 billion worldwide, becoming one of the most successful action movie adaptations ever. However, that success didn’t stop the director and the studio from trying a new approach this time.

Oliver Berben, CEO of Constantin Film, is enthusiastic about the fresh approach director Cregger is taking with the new Resident Evil movie. He believes Cregger’s unique style will allow him to successfully reinvent this popular franchise.

We’ve had an amazing run with Resident Evil, a hugely successful franchise that’s earned over a billion dollars at the box office. Now, we’re building something fresh – not just a new story, but a way for a new generation to reimagine the franchise and create their own experiences with it.

It remains to be seen if Cregger’s take on the story will satisfy audiences, but he certainly has a history of delivering truly frightening experiences. The main debate, however, is whether the adaptation will capture the feel of the original video game – and most likely, it won’t, continuing the ongoing discussion among fans.

Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil will debut in theaters on Sept. 18, 2026.

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2026-05-21 20:47