Netflix’s latest show proves (to me) why a backlash or critical sneer doesn’t mean a lack of quality. Netflix shows based on popular pop culture arrive with crosshairs at it. Just look at the live action cowboy bebop series. Although it wasn’t the original, I found it interesting enough, but public opinion was decided early on.
Lo and behold, that could have happened with the new Resident Evil series. Not just Rotten Tomatoes (opens in new tab) currently lists it at a 51% Critics Score, but also a lazier 25% Audiences Score.
User Camilo A (opens in new tab) wrote: “Don’t lose [sic] your time. This is just terrible. As a fan of the franchise since 1996, playing and watching all of its games and movies, all I can say is that this is insulting. don’t look at it don’t lose [sic] your time to do so. Even if you are not a fan or have never played the games. It will only disappoint you. Netflix should take this thing down out of respect.”
Not to tell anyone wrong, but I respectfully disagree. And I’m not alone. Ever since the show shut down, two of my friends – who are hardcore fans of the Resident Evil game – and I have been chatting about it on a daily basis. And we’re not the only ones watching Resident Evil either. The series was the first show to oust Stranger Things from No. 1 on the top 10 Netflix TV shows on the US Today list (which it held for a whopping 15 days and then took it back on July 20). But Resident Evil hasn’t fallen after those first few successful days, it’s still the country’s #2 show on Netflix.
That’s why Resident Evil is headed to our list of the best shows on Netflix.
What is Resident Evil on Netflix about?
Netflix’s Resident Evil works really well because it delivers two sides of the apocalypse. First comes the good old days when Albert Wesker (Lance Reddick) and his daughters Jade (Tamara Smart) and Billie (Siena Agudong) are new in town in New Raccoon City. Then you have the damn hell that Jade (Ella Balinska) is trying to survive.
In the latter, Resident Evil proves great at a few things. The first among them are really cool monsters. The giant worm from the beginning of the series is a favorite, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it shows up next (and how it mutates, too).
I won’t spoil the big monster that comes as the final set piece, but I can also respect how it brought back the RE-Lickers and also delivered a famous Resident Evil monster at the very end – to hopefully set things in motion in the To follow Resident Evil season 2 (should Netflix renew it). The dog you may have seen in trailers is mighty scary too.
Resident Evil is like a Fast & Furious movie in a good way
Sure, Resident Evil could use more monsters, but since it didn’t quite go haywire early on, the madness isn’t quite there yet. you build something
But Netflix’s Resident Evil isn’t just about the T-Virus mutations tearing humanity apart. The family history at the core of Resident Evil, with twin sisters Jade and Billie and their father Albert, is the real meat on the bone.
That may be why established fans don’t like Netflix’s Resident Evil. It has inclined a young adult (aka YA) that I want to embrace more than ever (thanks to Ms. Marvel). Yes, I’ll admit that the disaster they fall into, which fuels much of the show’s plot, feels a little contrived. But that scene is over pretty quickly, and the rest of the storytelling isn’t forced.
As we see, Billie and Jade are struggling to adjust to a new town and problems at school, and their difficult bond leads them down bad lanes. If you don’t like Resident Evil because it’s about teenagers? Well, to each their own, but I say give it a second try.
The Wesker family’s connections and problems make for entertaining storytelling and some hilariously surprising twists towards the end.
Netflix’s Resident Evil is funny too
The other thing I absolutely love about Resident Evil on Netflix is the utter hilarity of the dialogue. I can’t say much to explain the situation, but Lance Reddick’s talk about breadsticks is so well done (as is the line) that I swore I’ve seen I Think You Should Leave (another of the best shows on Netflix). . .
That moment aside, we get some great stuff from Billie and Jade, although some might find Jade’s jokes a bit over the top in the first episode. said that? Everything works if you ask me.
Yes, you should watch Resident Evil from Netflix
So you have a new horror show with big monsters, a family story at its core, solid humor, and also a connection to the lore of the Resident Evil video games. I’m sure some people who want the first of these elements will be offended by their vision of Resident Evil being rigged.
Still, I have to give Netflix’s Resident Evil credit. After the fluffy 2021 projects Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, I wasn’t expecting much from it. Netflix has managed to figure out a way to bring the game series into TV show form that feels like more than just a video game adaptation. It’s also a show with heart.
Varis Van zel 