Editor’s Note: This is a spoiler-free Resident Evil review.

The Resident Evil (RE) video games are a blast.  Going on 25 years or so, Capcom has kept its fanbase invested. When it comes to live-action adaptations, though, it’s been a rough journey. Entertainment value aside, the Milla Jovovich-led films were disappointing for some. The lack of faithfulness to the games worked against it in later installments. The more recent Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City tried to recreate the first two video games, but fell flat for many. Will Netflix’s RESIDENT EVIL series break the curse? It may be a welcome surprise for viewers, but it’s not without its bumps.

Netflix’s RESIDENT EVIL series stars Lance Reddick (“Fringe”) as Albert Wesker, Ella Balinska (Charlie’s Angels), Tamara Smart (“The Worst Witch”), Siena Agudong (“Star Falls”), Adeline Rudolph (“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina“), Ahad Raza Mir (“Ehd-e-Wafa”), Connor Gosatti (3rd Night), Turlough Convery (“Killing Eve”), and Paola Nuñez (Bad Boys for Life).

The new RESIDENT EVIL splits between two timelines. In 2036, fourteen years after a deadly viral outbreak sweeps the world, we are introduced to an adult Jade Wesker (Ella Balinska), who is trying to survive in an inhospitable world. Filled with T-virus-ridden hosts called zeroes, she’s spending her time researching them for any possible viral mutations. As this search takes her through dangerous situations, she can’t help but reflect back to 2022. And the events that led up to where she is now.

From a visual standpoint, the two timelines are notably different. The 2022 timeline is bright, cool, and sterile. Everything is clean. The Umbrella Company is searching to find Joy, their cure-all for anxiety and depression. And, for the most part, the only real stressors are neglectful parents and teenage hormones. In comparison, the 2036 timeline is dark, gritty, and industrial. In a world riddled with decay, humanity is barely surviving. It’s this particular timeline, though, that may resonate with gamers due to visuals, story structure, and more. Seriously, the 2036 scenes feel set up similarly to video game missions.

Pacing-wise, Netflix’s RESIDENT EVIL flows unevenly. Sometimes the cuts between the two timelines mesh well. Other times, it’s jarring and can throw a viewer off. The difference in tone between the two separate timelines doesn’t help with this at times. The added angst from the teens in the 2022 timeline may irritate depending on the individual. From my viewpoint, though, a lot can be forgiven when you remind yourself the main characters are fourteen.

Another note on the unevenness can be applied as well to the performances. The performances in Netflix’s RESIDENT EVIL are different across the board. A real standout is Siena Agudong as the young Billie. She has the more complicated arc and, as we watch her deal with the rollercoaster of emotions with her situation, her performance facilities empathy as well as investment. Tamara Strong’s version of young Jade in comparison, though, falls flat. The performance is mostly one-note as she chills out in teenage rage for the bulk of the series.

It’s not just the teens, though, that are across the board in performance range. Adeline Rudolph also struggles to ascend beyond her comic-book villain muscle-twirling performance. Ella Balinska has the Devil’s task of having one of the most physical roles in the series but does what is required for Jade. Not a standout award-winning performance, but she does just enough needed to keep us glued. As for Lance Reddick, he handles the different facets of Albert Wesker beautifully.

As a note to RE video game fans, Netflix’s RESIDENT EVIL will feature Easter eggs that will have you point at the screen and go, “Ah ha!” Showrunner Andrew Dabb isn’t doing a straight adaptation here. However, you can tell that he has done some homework. There are little notes and coincidences inputted into the storyline that will satisfy all throughout the series.

Netflix’s RESIDENT EVIL is designed to get viewers invested. However, Netflix now has a well-nourished reputation for canceling shows before they get a chance. With how season one ends, pieces are moved into place setting up the continuation of the series if it does get greenlit. Can I in good conscience recommend to people giving this latest adaptation a chance knowing that the algorithm dictates all? Yes, but with some hesitation.

So I’d caution that should you happen to grow attached to the characters and the storyline, go into watching this series knowing there’s a chance Netflix will pull the plug. Netflix’s RESIDENT EVIL will polarize. That’s the Catch-22 of adapting from a popular IP. With any luck, though, the polarizing views may be what ends up pushing the series over the line for a Round 2.

The first season of Netflix’s RESIDENT EVIL will have eight 1 hour-long episodes.  The brand new series will be dropped exclusively on Netflix on July 14, 2022.