The Resident Evil franchise has once again stepped into the spotlight, as another adaptation lands amid a crowded slate of film, series, and animation. A new run through the familiar universe now centers on a roster of games where alliances are formed as often as battles against the undead, and where questions about a viral threat loom large. The ongoing expansion of the Resident Evil universe has stirred both curiosity and concern among fans, and its latest chapter isn’t winning universal praise for its execution.
There are clear reasons to admire Milla Jovovich’s early entries, which carried a certain spark and unabashed enthusiasm through the chaos. There are compelling reasons to appreciate Kaya Scodelario’s recent, more nuanced performances. And there are expectations for a fresh series to land with impact. Yet those hopes require patient cultivation, as the new material resists a straightforward path to resonance.
The backstory for the newest installment unfolds across a timeline that revisits the original outbreak in Raccoon City and the cataclysmic decision to erase evidence with a drastic action. Umbrella Corporation remains at the center of the narrative, pursuing a drug inspired by the t-virus with aims that stretch from mood regulation to potential behavioral modification. The plot follows two sisters who relocate to a newly imagined New Raccoon City, this time set in South Africa, with Jade and Billy stepping into the saga. As ever with Resident Evil storytelling, the virus is treated as a dangerous force that refuses to be contained, and the city itself soon bears the consequences of that ambition.
The latter portion of the arc shifts to a post-apocalyptic stage. The spread of the t-virus extends a decade and a half after the events in the earlier chapters, leaving much of the world transformed. Population decline is catastrophic, and civilizations strain to survive amid hordes of infected creatures. Jade, portrayed by a capable lead, studies the monsters with the aim of proving whether the virus and the resulting beings have evolved in surprising ways. She becomes a prime target for Umbrella’s ongoing pursuit, as agents repeatedly close in to thwart her mission and silence her findings.
There is a recognizable tension in how the series toggles between its two timelines. The narrative structure frequently stalls, and the pacing can feel uneven, creating moments where essential threads seem to fray. The result is a viewing experience that sometimes drifts and risks losing the audience, even as the premise remains inherently suspenseful. The show’s creator, a veteran who helped shape other long-running genre fits, brings a particular sensibility to the proceedings, yet the wheels occasionally slip as the story tries to balance exposition, action, and character development.
At its core, the major flaw in this iteration lies in how the supporting cast and subplots are managed. What could feel like a compact, tightly wound survival tale ends up burdened by crowded side stories that do not always pay off. In a world already saturated with apocalyptic dramas, the tendency to pile on familiar beats without giving them fresh air can undermine momentum. The tension of living in a ruined world deserves stronger, clearer storytelling that keeps the focus on the central figures and their evolving dynamics rather than scattering attention across too many peripheral strands.
Compared to other acclaimed entries in the genre, the current effort struggles to offer a cohesive emotional throughline. The best moments come when the series embraces intimate character drama—two sisters navigating fate, loyalty, and the pressure of survival—while still honoring the eerie, oppressive atmosphere fans expect from Resident Evil. Animated and live-action examples alike have shown how such family-centered storytelling can land with genuine heart, and the series could learn from those successes. In a landscape where audience attention is a scarce currency, a sharply drawn emotional core can be the deciding factor between a forgettable run and a memorable one.
Visuals and action remain a mixed bag. There are sequences that land with intensity and a sense of peril, complemented by moments that rely too heavily on familiar set pieces. The franchise has a natural advantage in its world-building and lore, but translating the tension from game to screen demands more precise pacing, sharper dialogue, and a clearer sense of purpose in every scene. When the show tightens its focus and resists needless detours, it can echo the best qualities of post-apocalyptic dramas while preserving the distinctive horror that defines the series.
Ultimately, the strongest takeaway is that Resident Evil remains a potent brand with enduring potential. The material benefits from a clear plan that respects both long-time fans and newcomers, prioritizing a winning blend of suspense, character growth, and a believable, perilous world. If future installments can streamline the narrative, sharpen the stakes, and lean into the emotional core at the heart of the sisters’ journey, the franchise may still fulfill its promise of a gripping, high-impact survivor tale. Until then, viewers are left hoping for a more concise, emotionally resonant path forward that honors the franchise’s legacy while embracing modern storytelling virtues.