Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Fans of the iconic horror franchise Resident Evil can now experience a new level of horror with the first trailer for the reboot, directed by Zach Cregger.
The trailer, released online on April 30, 2026, provides an early glimpse into Cregger's fresh and gripping vision for the big-screen adaptation of the popular video game series.
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The film promises a visceral horror experience, focusing on the survival horror elements that characterized the original games.
The latest Resident Evil film is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026.
Directed and co-written by Zach Cregger and Shay Hatten, the film stars Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser.
Production began in October 2025 in Prague, Czech Republic, with support from Constantin Film, PlayStation Productions, and Vertigo Entertainment, and distribution by Columbia Pictures of Sony Pictures Releasing.
Unlike previous Resident Evil films, Cregger set out to present an original story inspired directly by the early video games, specifically Resident Evil 2 (1998), Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999), and Resident Evil 4.
He wanted to create a narrative that could take place in the Resident Evil universe without adapting the existing game stories, but instead building a cinematic experience that follows the characters' journeys through terror-filled environments.
Zach Cregger's New Vision for Resident Evil
Zach Cregger, known for his work on the horror films Barbarian and Weapons, brought a unique approach to this Resident Evil film.
Cregger revealed that he had never seen a Resident Evil film before and wanted his film to be firmly rooted in the essence of video games.
The primary focus was on survival horror mechanics, such as resource conservation and difficult decision-making, which are core to the Resident Evil gaming experience.
Cregger compared the film's style to Evil Dead II (1987), indicating a blend of horror and intense elements.
Details of the Gripping First Trailer for Resident Evil
The first trailer for the Resident Evil film first premiered at CinemaCon in early April 2026, before being released online by Sony on April 30, 2026.
The trailer introduces Austin Abrams as the main character, Bryan, a medical courier trapped in a night of terror in Raccoon City.
The trailer's opening scene shows Bryan stranded in a terrifying location while attempting to make a delivery to Raccoon City, only to be caught in the chaos.
Viewers are treated to the sight of bodies being dragged into the darkness and falling from rooftops, as well as terrifying creatures lurking around every corner.
Although Cregger stated the film would be different from Barbarian, the trailer was described as having "Barbarian vibes" due to its progression similar to the Resident Evil games, where corporate crime produces inhuman monsters.
About Resident Evil Game and Previous Movies
The original "Resident Evil" game was released as a PlayStation game in 1994, but was later available on several different consoles.
There have been more than a dozen sequels and remakes, including this year's "Resident Evil Requiem."
There have been six previous "Resident Evil" films, beginning with the 2002 film starring Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez.
Jovovich went on to star in "Resident Evil: Apocalypse" (2004), "Resident Evil: Extinction" (2007), "Resident Evil: Afterlife" (2010), "Resident Evil: Retribution" (2012), and "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" (2017).
In 2021, filmmaker Johannes Roberts directed and wrote and directed the franchise reboot, "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City."
Collectively, the franchise has grossed over $1.2 billion at the global box office.