The first reactions to Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil have arrived, and the filmmaker behind Barbarian and Weapons may have another horror hit on his hands.

Early reactions to Sony Pictures’ latest attempt at bringing the iconic video game franchise to the big screen are overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with critics praising the film’s gore, humor, scares and commitment to the survival-horror atmosphere of the games.

Cregger’s Resident Evil follows Austin Abrams as a medical courier who finds himself caught in a zombie outbreak while attempting to make a delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital. Cregger co-wrote the screenplay alongside Shay Hatten, with Zach Cherry, Kali Reis and Paul Walter Hauser also starring.

While the film tells an original story rather than adapting one of the games directly, the early word suggests Cregger has captured what makes Resident Evil work.

Flickering Myth critic EJ Moreno called the movie a “true horror blockbuster,” adding:

“Zach Cregger goes bigger, scarier, and at his most fun.”

Moreno also said Resident Evil is the type of movie that should be experienced “on the biggest screen with a big crowd.”

Mark Cassidy offered similarly strong praise, arguing that despite not featuring familiar characters or storylines from the games, the movie successfully taps into their relentless tension.

Director Zach Cregger (right) and Austin Abrams on the set of Constantin Film and Columbia Pictures Resident Evil DUŠAN MARTINČEK/SONY PICTURES

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“Zach Cregger has actually delivered the most faithful take yet.”

Cassidy described the film as “very bloody, very funny” and revealed that it managed to make him jump three times.

Kellvin Chavez was even more enthusiastic, praising a movie that apparently wastes little time getting started.

“Zach Cregger delivers relentless suspense, gloriously gory action.”

Chavez also highlighted what he described as twisted, The Thing-like creature designs and called the movie “pure survival horror.”

Film critic Tristian Circa ‘89 praised the balance between horror and comedy, saying the movie is “just as intense and horrifying as you’d expect” while still incorporating humor. He also singled out Abrams as an everyman protagonist whose natural charm makes him easy to root for.

Variety’s Jordan Moreau delivered perhaps the strongest reaction of the bunch, calling Resident Evil:

“One of the best video game adaptations ever made.”

Austin Abrams in ‘Resident Evil’ (2026). Credit : Dušan Martinček/Sony Pictures

Moreau also called it one of the best recent horror movies and praised Abrams’ performance as he stumbles his way through the zombie outbreak.

One of the biggest questions surrounding Cregger’s take on the franchise has been his decision to tell an original story.

The new movie does not center on established Resident Evil characters such as Leon S. Kennedy or Jill Valentine. Cregger has previously acknowledged the criticism surrounding that decision, but these early reactions suggest his film may compensate by remaining faithful to the atmosphere, tension and survival-horror experience of the games.

The franchise has already produced seven live-action theatrical films, beginning with the Milla Jovovich-led Resident Evil in 2002 and most recently returning to theaters with Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City in 2021. The films have collectively earned more than $1.2 billion worldwide.

Now Cregger gets his opportunity to take audiences back to Raccoon City.

Resident Evil hits theaters September 18.

Car influencer James Wehr was in the driver’s seat of a 2019 McLaren that crashed on Sunday, September 13, killing him and Alexis “Lexi” Kramer, police confirmed.

Wehr, 27, and Kramer, 22, suffered fatal injuries in the early hours of Sunday following an accident in Irvine, California, in which his supercar crashed into a tree, split in two and burst into flames.

“We have evidence that shows a female was in the passenger seat just before the collision,” Irvine Police Department spokesperson Kyle Oldoerp told Us on Wednesday, September 16. (TMZ was first to report the news.)

The spokesperson also confirmed to Us that the McLaren had been pulled over by the Newport Beach Police Department in California earlier in the evening.

Newport Beach police told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday that Wehr had been pulled over by officials on Saturday, September 12, roughly five hours before the fatal crash.

An officer “observed a vehicle with a loud exhaust” and initiated a traffic stop at roughly 7:21 p.m. local time. “The stop resulted in a warning issued to the driver,” spokesperson Heather Rangel told the newspaper.

Us has reached out to the Newport Beach Police Department for further comment.

Wehr was the cofounder of a popular weekly car meetup, South OC Cars and Coffee, in San Clemente, California. His family identified him as one of two passengers involved in the blaze via social media Sunday.

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“This morning, just after midnight, we lost our darling son and brother James in a motor accident,” read a statement posted by South OC Cars and Coffee on Instagram and reshared by his parents, Simon and Sarah Wehr, sister Sophie and wife Emma.

“We respectfully ask for privacy as a family as we process this profound loss,” the post continued. “We would appreciate all of your good thoughts and prayers, and for those of you who knew James, thank you for being his friends, his mentors and his peers.”

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Wehr’s wife of one year, Emma, shared in a separate Instagram tribute, “I never thought the day would come that I’d have to say such a final goodbye. Getting the opportunity to love you will always be the greatest blessing in my life … Like I said in my vows, I’m so grateful to have gotten the chance to live my life at the same time that you lived yours. Whether it’s in this lifetime or the next, my heart will always find its way to you. Rest easy, my love.”

A family member of Kramer’s, meanwhile, identified the Hooters calendar model as the second victim killed in the crash while speaking to the California Post on Monday, September 14.

The relative told the outlet that Kramer had flown from Lakeland, Florida, to California on Friday, September 11, to spend the weekend with Wehr. They also claimed that Wehr had told Kramer he was in the midst of divorcing his wife.

NeNe Leakes is standing up for fellow Housewife Kim Zolciak amid her teenage son Kroy “KJ” Biermann Jr.’s arrest on allegations of sexual assault and sex with a minor female relative.

“Everybody parents differently,” Leakes, 58, told TMZ on Tuesday, September 15. “As a mom, I’m just sure she’s not OK. We’ve texted together, that’s it.”

Leakes, who was part of the original cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta with Zolciak 48, added that she had no message for online haters who have publicly speculated about the allegations against 15-year-old KJ.

Leakes recently opened up about how Zolciak, who shares KJ with former NFL player Kroy Biermann, is coping amid her son’s indictment on charges of aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment and three counts of sexual battery against a child under the age of 16. (Us confirmed earlier this month that KJ was released on a $200,000 bond subject to 24-hour pretrial house arrest ahead of his October 14 arraignment.)

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Kim Zolciak and her daughter Brielle Biermann avoided reporters’ questions while leaving 15-year-old son Kroy “KJ” Biermann Jr.’s sexual battery hearing. Footage obtained by TMZ showed Zolciak, 48, and Brielle, 29, in matching black dresses and sunglasses as they were approached by the media outside Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Friday, September 11. […]

“I just hit her up, wanting to know how she’s doing, congratulating her on [her daughter] Brielle [Biermann] and making sure she was OK with what her son is dealing with — I know that’s a tough time and I know she’s not OK,” Leakes said during an appearance on the Friday, September 11, episode of the “Big Tigger Morning Show.” (Zolciak also shares son Kash, 14, and twins Kaia and Kane, 12, with Kroy, 41. She welcomed daughters Brielle, 29, and Ariana, 24, in previous relationships.)

Leakes continued, “I wanted to reach out. And I did, OK? I reach out to a lot of these girls. We just reach out to each other. But we’re not in contact on the daily basis.”

Zolciak previously released a statement to Us on August 21 addressing KJ’s arrest. “The allegations being made against my son are nothing short of reckless and deeply troubling,” she wrote at the time. “He categorically denies ever being involved with this woman or engaging in the conduct she has alleged. My son voluntarily took a polygraph examination regarding these allegations and passed. Additionally, an examination was conducted, and no DNA belonging to my son was found.”

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According to Deputy District Attorney Caitlin McGillicuddy, KJ’s arrest led investigators to the discovery of phone footage that showed him and an unidentified family member under the age of 12 engaging in sexual activity. Prosecutors claimed, authorities allegedly also found evidence of “multiple encounters” where KJ used “predatory [and] derogatory” language toward the victim.

KJ has not publicly addressed the latest accusations, but his lawyer told TMZ on Friday, “The characterizations made in court regarding the prior juvenile matter involving KJ Biermann grossly misrepresent both the facts and the ultimate resolution of that case.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

A performance does not need an entire movie to leave an impression. Sometimes, an actor receives only a few minutes to establish who a character is, make the audience believe in a lifetime that happened offscreen, and provide the missing piece of a much larger story. Mike Flanagan says Carl Lumbly accomplishes all of that in his upcoming Exorcist movie. Plot details for Flanagan’s take on the legendary horror property remain heavily guarded. The filmmaker has assembled an extensive cast that includes several actors from his previous projects, continuing his tradition of finding new roles for trusted collaborators. Lumbly is among those returning performers after appearing in Doctor Sleep and The Fall of the House of Usher.

During an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival, Collider’s Perri Nemiroff asked Flanagan whether one of those familiar actors had reached a level he did not know they were capable of reaching. He could not reveal much without spoiling the movie, but one scene immediately came to mind. It involves Lumbly, lasts approximately four minutes, and apparently holds an important key to understanding the story.

“There’s an incredible scene, one scene with Carl Lumbly,” Flanagan told Collider. He described Lumbly as one of his favorite people to work with and said he loves the actor “to pieces.” Although Flanagan remained careful about spoilers, he revealed that the scene occurs toward the end of the movie and is crucial to understanding what’s going on, suggesting he may provide information that helps the movie’s central characters understand the supernatural events unfolding around them. Flanagan did not disclose the character’s identity or explain precisely what needs to be solved, but he told Nemiroff:

“Carl appears for one scene toward the end of the film that’s crucial as a key to kind of solving what’s going on, and manages to embody a character with decades of understandable backstory in just four minutes of screen time. Lumbly just shows up and runs with it, and that stuff always makes my heart sing.”

Carl Lumbly Is a Beloved Member of the Flana-Fam

Image via Netflix

Lumbly previously played Dick Hallorann in Doctor Sleep, Flanagan’s adaptation of King’s sequel to The Shining. He later portrayed C. Auguste Dupin in The Fall of the House of Usher, appearing opposite Bruce Greenwood throughout the Netflix series. His role in The Exorcist may be considerably smaller, but Flanagan’s comments suggest it will be no less significant. The director also characterized the movie itself as intense and said there is “a lot going on,” although he stopped before offering any broader story details.

Flanagan’s new Exorcist movie is scheduled to arrive in theaters March 12, 2027. Stay tuned at Collider for the rest of Nemiroff’s interview with Flanagan and Carrie star Summer H. Howell, and don’t miss the series when it premieres on October 7 on Prime Video.

NBC News Los Angeles has confirmed that one of its news helicopters has crashed in Chatsworth and killed three people.

KNBC Channel 4 news anchor Colleen Williams confirmed the news via a live broadcast on Tuesday, September 15. “We knew it was a news chopper, we knew we’d lost contact with our people out there and we’ve just received the confirmation that, in fact, News Chopper 4 went down just before 7 o’clock tonight in Chatsworth,” Williams, 71, told viewers.

A subsequent report published by NBC News late on Tuesday night stated that the chopper had crashed in the suburban neighborhood “while it was covering a bus collision Tuesday evening, killing three people.”

Per the report, the helicopter crashed either “in a parking lot at or near a self-storage facility in the community,” which is located in L.A.’s Fernando Valley. The Los Angeles Fire Department attended the scene and no fatality identities were confirmed at the time of publication.

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“We’re going to take a couple of minutes to think about that, to process, and to regroup,” Williams, a veteran news anchor, said on-air.

In addition to the three fatalities, another person “was taken to a hospital in unknown condition,” per information received from the fire department. The report also noted that “at least one” of the deceased people “appeared to be a pedestrian on the ground” when the crash occurred.

NBC Los Angeles shared developments on the news via its Instagram account on Tuesday night, with one eyewitness recalling that she saw “sudden smoke” coming from the crash.

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Another interviewed witness told the outlet, “I happened to look over my shoulder and I saw a certain news helicopter, oddly, just coming straight down. I looked at it and I go, ‘That’s weird.’ No helicopter comes down like that, and then two seconds later the smoke. It came just straight down.”

The first eyewitness, who was being interviewed out the front of a storage facility, then jumped in, recalling that she heard “everybody started screaming.”

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According to NBC News’ published report, the fire department confirmed that the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration “will be involved” in investigations.

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The bus crash that the helicopter had been covering reportedly left two separate people dead and others injured after “a Los Angeles Metro bus and a passenger vehicle” collided.

News Chopper 4 was one of several helicopters hovering above the scene as “firefighters worked to free the trapped people and assess the bus passengers” below.

For nearly a decade, the Paris robbery that left Kim Kardashian bound, terrified, and convinced she might not survive has remained one of the most shocking celebrity crime stories of the century. 

The case involved millions in stolen jewelry, elderly robbers who became notorious in France, and years of legal proceedings. 

Yet when the final chapter arrived, it wasn’t marked by a massive financial payout. Instead, Kardashian made a decision that transformed the meaning of the verdict entirely.

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When people think about the 2016 Paris robbery, the numbers are usually the first thing that come to mind. 

Approximately $10 million worth of jewelry disappeared during the raid, including the $4 million engagement ring Kanye West had given Kim Kardashian. Much of what was stolen was never recovered.

However, the reality star’s latest legal victory shows that recovering money was never the point. 

According to the Daily Mail, after a Paris court found eight people guilty for their roles in the robbery, Kardashian requested just one euro ($1.15) in compensation. 

In a joint statement with stylist Simone Harouche, who was present during the ordeal, Kardashian explained why the ruling mattered.

“The experience was deeply traumatic, and its impact has stayed with us. Today´s decision is not about the compensation, but about accountability and recognition,” she said.

The socialite added, “We are thankful to the Court and everyone who supported us throughout this process, and we hope to now move forward and continue to heal.”

Kardashian Was Not The Only Victim Seeking Recognition

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Although Kim Kardashian’s name dominated headlines throughout the case, others affected by the robbery were also waiting for the court’s decision.

One of them was the former receptionist at the Hôtel de Pourtalès, the luxury residence where Kardashian was staying during Paris Fashion Week when the gang struck. 

According to the employee’s lawyer, his client had been deeply traumatized by the events of October 2, 2016. Unlike Kardashian, he sought substantial damages, requesting €550,000 ($634,510) in compensation and interest. The court ultimately awarded him €109,516 ($126,329).

His attorney, Mohand Ouidja, described the outcome as a victory. The hotel itself also received compensation, with the court awarding €50,000 ($57,674). 

Harouche, Kardashian’s stylist, who endured the terrifying night alongside the mom of four, was awarded the same symbolic amount as her longtime friend: one euro.

Kim Kardashian Says The Case Will Always Stay With Her

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Long before the compensation ruling, Kardashian had made it clear that the robbery permanently changed her life.

Following the convictions, she publicly reflected on the lasting impact of the attack, describing it as “the most terrifying experience of my life.”

Despite that trauma, Kardashian also emphasized forgiveness, accountability, and healing.

According to her, “While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all. I remain committed to advocating for justice and promoting a fair legal system.”

Her legal team echoed that sentiment after the latest ruling, sharing, “Kim appreciates the court’s decision and once again thanks the French authorities for treating her with great respect throughout the process.”

More From The Blast

Kardashian Reveals Why She Stopped Wearing Expensive Jewelry 

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The Paris court may have finally delivered its verdict, but for Kim Kardashian, the robbery’s most lasting consequence was never the missing jewelry or the years of legal proceedings. 

It was the way the crime fundamentally changed how she lived. In the years following the 2016 heist, Kardashian repeatedly admitted that the experience forced her to rethink her relationship with luxury, security, and public visibility. 

The turning point became even more poignant when she later revealed that one of her most treasured possessions had survived only because of advice Kanye West gave her weeks before the robbery. 

According to PEOPLE, during a March 2025 episode of “The Kardashians,” Kardashian recalled that after she posted both of her engagement rings on social media, West warned her, “Are you looking to get robbed?” 

She ultimately left her original engagement ring at home before traveling to Paris, while the newer 20-carat ring was stolen during the attack. The robbery also led Kardashian to largely abandon the habit of showcasing expensive jewelry online or wearing large collections in public.

Kim Kardashian’s Paris Robbery Forced ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ Into Crisis Mode

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The fallout from the robbery extended far beyond Kardashian’s personal life. In the days after the attack, one of television’s biggest reality franchises faced an unprecedented situation. 

As concern for Kardashian’s well-being grew, E! made the rare decision to halt production on “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.”

Fox 5 NY reported that filming was immediately placed on hold as the family focused on supporting the television personality in the aftermath of the traumatic ordeal. 

Network representatives emphasized that “Kim’s well-being is our core focus right now” and confirmed that no decision had been made about when production would resume.  

Weeks later, Kardashian gradually returned to filming, but the incident would eventually become one of the most emotional storylines the series had ever explored. 

Pamela Anderson has dreamy dressing down to a formula, and her latest fall style is no exception. Instead of a stuffy knit or tight top, Anderson wore the chicest, flowiest ‘poncho’ blouse. We’re copying the look for only $12!

In Venice for the Venice Film Festival, Anderson wore a lilac-colored poncho blouse paired with a matching maxi skirt and clutch in the same soft purple. Her blouse style skims the body in all the right places, sweeps over the arms without clinging and lets the fabric do the work. A little boho and a lot glamorous, it screams ‘Italian rich mom.’

Get the Hotshawl Chiffon Cape Top for $12 (was $14) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

This Hotshawl Chiffon Cape Top is nearly identical to Anderson’s, right down to the elegant lilac shade and loose, floaty sleeves. It’s drapey everywhere, with a curved hem that hits at the perfect spot and sleeves that move when you do.

Better yet, the airy chiffon fabric gives it that expensive feel without the corresponding price tag. One five-star shopper wrote, “Very good quality, flows nicely and adds elegance to an outfit.”

Another happy fan shared, “I had a sleeveless long dress I wanted to wear to a wedding. This covered my arms and dressed up the plain black dress. I was very pleased.”

Style it like Anderson with a matching lilac maxi skirt, or throw it on over a neutral tank and jeans and let the color pop. At only $12, this billowy top is the easiest way to steal a little Venice magic for your own fall wardrobe.

Get the Hotshawl Chiffon Cape Top for $12 (was $14) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more stylish tops, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping