Resident Evil fans are calling its hero ‘incompetent’ — the ones who love the film say that is exactly right
Some viewers call Bryan's decisions farcical. Others say the bumbling is exactly what playing the games feels like.
There’s a new Resident Evil out, this one helmed by Zach Cregger, and to no one’s surprise, it’s kicked up a proper dust-up online. It’s not the zombies or the gore that have fans fuming this time, but the lead character — a chap called Bryan (played by Austin Abrams) who, judging by the socials, is giving people conniptions with how thick he is on screen. Nothing like an 'incompetent' protagonist to get the punters going.
Resident Evil (2026) currently sits at a decisive 95% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer and 91% on the Popcornmeter.
The Bryan Problem
Word on places like X (formerly Twitter, yes, we’re all still adjusting), is that Bryan’s antics in Resident Evil are toe-curlingly daft. A decent number of viewers reckon his poor decision-making crosses from nail-biting suspense into outright farce, which – depending on your taste – either makes the film a fun rollercoaster, or leaves you screaming at the telly.
- One fan said it felt less like a zombie thriller and more like watching Forrest Gump bumble his way through Raccoon City – not the vibe you expect from your main man in a survival horror.
- Another gave the film a scathing 4 out of 10, losing patience when a 'fat guy in a suit' entered the fray, sending the whole third act into a nosedive and forcing our hero to double down on being bafflingly silly. This chap claimed he almost walked out with just five minutes left, which is commitment to the bit if nothing else.
Other Gripes (and Some Praise)
It’s unfair to say everyone’s slating it, though, and there’s been some genuine affection for how Cregger’s film leans right into the quirks of the source material. One X user broke down what makes this adaptation peak Resident Evil:
Here’s how @yoracrab summed up their screening: "Just saw the movie btw. it has: a dumbass playing the game, actual inventory management, convenient puzzles, keys & backtracking, cheesable bosses & useless sewer level, a weaker third act. MF THIS IS RESIDENT EVIL."
This blend of inventory faffing, ludicrous puzzles, and backtracking clearly hits a nerve — and for plenty, it’s a loving jab at how the games actually play. But even fans who enjoy the nods admit the third act goes a bit wonky.
Certified Fresh, Believe It or Not
Now here’s the strange bit: As much as Bryan’s been branded an 'incompetent' lead, the critical consensus is looking rosy. Resident Evil is currently sitting pretty as Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes – a stonking 95% on the critic side, with punters handing it 91% on the Popcornmeter. Make of that what you will. Maybe there’s a certain charm in bumbling through Raccoon City with a hero who’s as hopeless as the average player under pressure.
The Film Itself
Cregger’s version doesn’t go for a straight retelling. It’s set during the same outbreak as Resident Evil 2 from the 1998 Capcom game, following Bryan, a medical courier, on a botched delivery run to Raccoon General Hospital — just in time for a city-wide zombie situation. So, yes, there’s plenty of throwback material for the game heads, and the cast isn’t shabby either: alongside Abrams you’ve got Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Paul Walter Hauser, Johnno Wilson, and Sara Paxton.
Read more: Cregger's Resident Evil doubled the franchise's best-ever opening — and beat his own Weapons