Netflix’s Resident Evil is a monstrous good time anchored by excellent performances

The new Netflix Resident Evil series is coming out tomorrow, finally. It’s the first live-action show within the franchise and considering how polarizing essentially all of the Resident Evil movies and shows have been, I’m expecting heavy scrutiny from diehard fans of the video games.

But I have to say, even though I’ve only played the games casually, I adored this show. It’s one of my favorite new Netflix series of the year. From the creature design (which is literally identical to the game in many respects) to the characterizations and production value, Resident Evil is clearly a labor of love. The first season is just full of easter eggs and references to the games, and even the movies, too. I loved the movie as well and I don’t feel bad about it, but this show might be the best adaptation yet.

There was never a moment while watching the first season where I was bored and I was entranced by the performances across the board. From Ella Basinka’s earnest and layered performance as the adult Jade Wesker in 2036 to Lance Reddick’s subtly menacing Albert Wesker and Paola Núñez’s delectably hammy performance as key antagonist Evelyn Marcus, I was enamored with the show from the first frame.

Resident Evil is split into two timelines, one set in 2022, three months before the outbreak that triggers “the end” and 14 years later in 2036. We begin by meeting Albert and his two daughters, half-twin Jade and Billie Wesker. The young actresses are given a lot of the show’s emotional weight to carry and they do so with an adroitness beyond their years. I loved watching Tamara Smart and Siena Agudong play off of one another and Agudong, in particular, has a lot of challenging sequences that she manages with excellence.

The 2036 timeline has more of the conventional horror, gore and creature madness we’ve come to expect from the franchise. And honestly, I was surprised by how great the CGI looked overall. There are several different monsters that fans of the games will instantly recognize. But the 2022 timeline does feel like the real heart of the series as we see what life was like in New Raccoon City prior to the start of the outbreak.

It’s fun to see what Umbrella was like in this era before everything went to hell in a handbasket. It feels particularly timely, too, to see this evil corporate world putting their bottomline over the wellbeing of people. Having just played The Outer Worlds and Bioshock, I’m really into the exploration of the dark side of capitalism right now and while Resident Evil doesn’t explore these themes with the kind of nuance and depth that I might have liked, it’s still present.

I think that, there are aspects of the show people might find frustrating in that Resident Evil does sort of pull from a lot of different Resident Evil lore and throw it at the wall to see what sticks. I think the 2036 timeline bites off more than it can chew in some respects as there are multiple factions introduced in the early episodes that are never discussed or heard from again. In some ways, adult Jade’s storyline gets repetitive quickly, but even so, I was always on the edge of my seat and it evens out by the second half of the season as the show ushers in another layer of the story and Jade’s characterization.

There are moments of sheer badassery where Jade gets to wield a chainsaw and slaughter zombies or tense chase sequences like a truly remarkable one-take sequence involving Lickers in the show’s third episode that expertly nails the vibes of the games.

I just had such an absolute blast watching this show and i really fell in love with all of the characters, particularly Jade Wesker. It’s not often that I finish a show and think, “okay I’m ready to rewatch it now,” but I felt that way with Resident Evil and there are rewards for rewatching it as different aspects of both timelines foreshadow things that will be revealed later in the season.

By the end of episode 8, you will be left with a lot of unanswered questions. One other thing I have grown a little frustrated with on Netflix is that some of these shows are not resolving their season arcs by the end. I had this problem with First Kill too. It feels more like a midseason finale than a season finale, which can be frustrating when you know that chances of renewal are so hard to predict on Netflix nowadays.

I’m crossing my fingers for a second season though, because there is so much amazing set-up by the end of the season that I cannot wait to see what will happen next. Don’t expect resolution here, but you can anticipate ample teases for what could become an excellent new addition to Netflix’s genre fare.

Is Netflix’s Resident Evil series worth watching?

It is absolutely worth the watch! Ultimately, Resident Evil is incredible fun, there’s just no other way to put it other than that. Don’t compare it to the games too much, because it is very much its own thing and while it borrows from the lore, it also does introduce a lot of original elements and characters.

And yes, perhaps if you think too hard overanalyzing certain aspects of the show, you’ll find some plot holes and inelegant writing, but overall I think fans will be pleasantly surprised by everything Resident Evil has to offer. Even if it is decidedly different in story from the games (which is a good thing in my opinion, why just keep retelling the same story over and over again?) it never forgets its narrative roots.

There’s plenty of zombies, creatures, action sequences, horror and all of it is anchored by a well-rounded cast who consistently deliver top-notch performances across the board from beginning to end. Give the show a chance! Even if you aren’t familiar with Resident Evil, the show is very accessible.

Now excuse me while I go rewatch it for the third time.

Resident Evil premieres on Netflix tomorrow, July 14.