‘Resident Evil’ Returns With a Fresh Story and First Trailer

Raccoon City is about to suffer another long night. Sony has released the first official trailer for Resident Evil, offering audiences their first proper look at Zach Cregger’s reinvention of Capcom’s landmark survival horror series ahead of the film’s cinema release on 18 September.

Rather than revisiting familiar protagonists from the games, Cregger’s film introduces an original lead caught on the edges of one of the franchise’s defining moments. Austin Abrams stars as Bryan, a medical courier whose routine delivery turns into a desperate fight for survival as a viral outbreak engulfs Raccoon City, forcing him into a relentless race through a city collapsing into violence.

The film marks the second live-action reboot of the Resident Evil franchise and arrives after Constantin Film began reshaping the property following the release of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City and the short-lived Netflix television adaptation.

The newly released trailer hints at a darker, more grounded approach than previous entries, leaning into claustrophobic environments, escalating panic and the creeping dread that defined the original games. While action remains part of the equation, the footage places equal emphasis on isolation, uncertainty and the feeling that every doorway could conceal another nightmare.

Abrams is joined by Zach Cherry, Kali Reis and Paul Walter Hauser, with Johnno Wilson completing the principal cast. Cherry, Reis and Hauser portray scientists working for the Umbrella Corporation, while Wilson plays one of the company’s enforcers.

Cregger directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Shay Hatten. The filmmaker has quickly become one of horror’s most closely watched voices following Barbarian and the recent success of Weapons, although he has previously stated that Resident Evil follows a different path from either film.

Instead of adapting one of the games directly, Cregger has created a story running alongside the events of Resident Evil 2. Speaking previously about the project, he explained that he wanted to tell a parallel story unfolding during Raccoon City’s catastrophic outbreak, allowing the film to exist within the established mythology while introducing new characters and situations.

The production itself attracted considerable industry attention long before cameras rolled. Following Cregger’s appointment in early 2025, several major studios reportedly competed for distribution rights before Sony secured the project. Filming later took place in Prague, with veteran cinematographer Dariusz Wolski overseeing the film’s visual style.

Produced by Robert Kulzer, Cregger, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, Victor Hadida, Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan, the feature comes from TriStar Pictures, Constantin Film and Davis Films. Oliver Berben, Richard Wright and Robert Bernacchi serve as executive producers.

Resident Evil opens exclusively in cinemas on 18 September 2026.

Resident Evil trailer