Director Zach Cregger’s clever reboot strikes a perfect balance between horror, humor, and over-the-top gore. I was on the fence about seeing the latest Resident Evil reboot, given how uninspired the 2021 attempt was. But Cregger gave us last year’s phenomenal Weapons, and early word was positive, so I took a chance. I’m glad I did—the film is terrific. Cregger’s distinctive sensibility is just what the flagging franchise needed: a fresh take blending horror, humor, and gore in the right ratios. You don’t need to be a fan to enjoy it.

When the first game debuted in 1996, it was an immediate success, spawning sequels and a lucrative film franchise by Paul W.S. Anderson starring Milla Jovovich. Reviews were mixed despite box office success. The first reboot, Welcome to Raccoon City (2021), was panned and grossed just $42 million globally against its $25 million budget. A Netflix series was canceled after one season.

Enter Cregger, a huge fan of the games, especially Resident Evil 2. His take is an original story with original characters in the same universe. Set in present-day Raccoon City as the T-virus spreads, it follows medical courier Bryan (Austin Abrams) whose girlfriend Michelle (Sara Paxton) is pregnant. After hitting an Infected woman, he’s stranded and takes refuge in a farmhouse. Everything hangs on Abrams’ performance, and he knocks it out of the park.