**Strong early reactions to the first 30 minutes of Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil reboot, screened for press in early September 2026, are shaping trader sentiment ahead of the film’s Fantastic Fest premiere on September 17 and wide release the next day.** Cregger, coming off the critical and commercial success of Weapons and Barbarian, has delivered footage described as delivering creepy, violent, atmospheric survival horror that aligns with fan expectations for a more faithful take on the Capcom franchise. This contrasts sharply with the prior live-action entries, which hold Tomatometer scores between 18% and 38%. With zero reviews posted on Rotten Tomatoes as of September 5, the market reflects optimism that Cregger’s direction and R-rated gore could break the franchise’s critical pattern once full reviews land post-premiere.