The new "Resident Evil" has hit theaters on 18 September 2026, and here at the Gaya editorial team, we couldn't stay on the sidelines. And here's the thing: we're not big horror fans at all. But this film turned out to be a pleasant, spine-chilling exception. It's not just another stroll through dark corridors β it's a zombie apocalypse shot with such ingenuity and visual drive. The film watches in one breath, gripping you with a rhythm that doesn't let you relax for a second. We loved it. So much so that it's genuinely hard to tear yourself away from the screen.
Once again, we're faced with a zombie apocalypse, but it's shot in such a way that the film doesn't feel like just another attempt to revive an old franchise, but rather a fully standalone, solid survival horror.
The story is new: the protagonist finds himself in Raccoon City just as everything around him begins rapidly turning into a nightmare.
Milla Jovovich isn't here β and that's a deliberate decision
An important point right away for fans of the old series.
Milla Jovovich isn't in this project. Director Zach Cregger made a bold and unambiguous decision β to completely abandon the concept and narrative baggage of the previous installments. What we have before us is not a sequel or a prequel, but a daring, standalone reboot. And, as it turns out, this only benefited the picture.
There's no Alice here, and no attempt to directly connect the new film to the old series.
The new "Resident Evil" works more as a standalone zombie horror: danger, limited resources, a constant feeling that there's almost no way out, and a hero who simply has to survive.
That's exactly why the film can be watched even by those who aren't familiar with the previous installments at all.
There are zombies. But for some reason, it's a lot of fun to watch
You'd think, what new could anyone come up with in a zombie apocalypse?
Turns out, you still can.
The film moves fast, constantly throws new danger your way, and knows how to shift the mood at just the right moment. There are genuinely unpleasant moments here, a bit of black humor, and creatures you'd better not look at before bed.
The protagonist doesn't come across as an invulnerable supersoldier.
He makes mistakes, gets scared, makes questionable decisions, and generally often resembles an ordinary person who simply had the bad luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
And that's exactly why he's interesting to watch.
One man. One very bad night. Raccoon City. And a huge number of creatures you'd better not get acquainted with.
The film never really sags and keeps the viewer in suspense almost the entire time.
And closer to the finale, it gets even more interesting.
The ending here is genuinely solid and leaves a good aftertaste β as far as the word "aftertaste" even applies to a film about zombies.
π₯ Atmosphere and pacing The picture plays like a solid, self-contained zombie horror. The director masterfully builds suspense: the atmosphere thickens like dense fog over an abandoned facility, and every plot twist keeps you on edge, like the final minutes of a decisive match where the cost of a mistake is at its highest. The ending doesn't just put a period β it delivers a powerful, unexpected, and very logical final chord that leaves a vivid aftertaste and makes you mull over what you've seen long after the credits.
β Gaya's verdict If you're a longtime fan of the Resident Evil universe or simply looking for a quality, smart horror with excellent pacing and a fresh perspective, you'll definitely enjoy it. This is that rare case when a reboot not only has every right to exist but sets a new standard of quality.
π Gaya's rating: 8.2/10
β οΈ An important warning from the editorial team: The only "but" β don't watch this film at night! Otherwise, any rustle of leaves outside the window or creak of a floorboard in the hallway will have you recalling frames from "Resident Evil" for a very long time. Take care of your nerves and enjoy the viewing (but during the day!). πΏ
