Key recommendations
- Resident Evil characters are divisive, sparking debate in the fandom regarding their portrayals and personalities.
- Controversial characters like Billy and Lady Dimitrescu polarized fans over their tropes and designs.
- Fan reactions to characters like Keith, Ashley, and Jake range from finding them comical to cringe-worthy or heroic to forgettable.
resident evil has always been a franchise marked by controversy, from accusations of racism in the fifth installment to criticism of oversexualizing a female antagonist after positive fan reception. These controversies often focus on specific characters, resulting in a long list of polarizing figures throughout the series' nearly thirty-year history. For example, Sheva Alomar was seen as a positive representation of African women in Resident Evil 5however, she is also criticized as being one of the franchise's worst followers.
Of course, polarization is a common phenomenon in any fandom and resident evil is not an exception. In fact, over the years, some RE the characters were so divisive that they inspired both boycotts from haters and calls for more content from die-hard fans.
Some of the following entries may contain spoilers for resident evil games
8 Jill Valentine
Debate: Old Jill or New Jill?
- Presented in: RE (1996/2002), RE3 (1999/2020), RE5, Umbrella Chronicles, The Mercenaries, Revelations, Revelations 2, Operation Raccoon City, Resistance, RE:Verse
His restoration Resident Evil 3 turned Jill into a more expressive protagonist, sparking debate among fans. Critics argue that her suggestive comments about Nemesis and her “cool female detective” demeanor clash with her original, quieter, more polite and mysterious persona. They feel that the new Jill falls into the cliché of a strong female video game character and resembles Claire Redfield in many ways.
In contrast, some fans believe that the remake made Jill more realistic and accessible. They argue that her occasional rude remarks fit the setting of the game and demonstrate that the female characters in resident evil they don't have to adhere to angelic or innocent stereotypes.
7 Ashley
Debate: An annoying damsel in distress or a loving friend?
- Featured in: Resident Evil 4 (2005/2023)
Some resident evil fans dislike Ashley because they think her clumsiness is ruining the game. They argue that Ashley adds little practical value and is mainly there to make Leon's mission more difficult. In the original Resident Evil 4they see her as particularly selfish, annoying and fragile – constantly asking for help or waiting for Leon to catch her instead of using the stairs.
On the other hand, Ashley's fans find her likable and sweet. They see it as a key part of the game, intentionally requiring Leon to strategically progress. Her supporters also agree that Ashley's character was greatly improved in the remake, portraying her as a more realistic and responsive teenager (as opposed to the original Ashley, who only interacted with Leon during scenes).
6 Keith Lumley
Debate: Is it funny or horrifying?
- Featured in: Resident Evil: Revelations
Horror and comedy can be a risky combination, and Keith Lumley's introduction to Resident Evil: Revelations is a prime example of this. While some fans appreciate its role as comic relief in the otherwise tense survival horror setting, others see it as detrimental.
Keith and his sidekick Quint were the first characters in the resident evil franchise to mess with each other while fighting zombies. This shift towards incorporating comedy into the serious tone of the franchise was polarizing. Critics argue that Keith's humor is unfunny and cringe-worthy, disrupting the campaign with his detached demeanor.
Despite this, some players see Keith as a welcome, lighthearted addition, providing much-needed comic relief in a stressful game. While they admit that he may not be the most well-written character, they appreciate his role in providing a break from the intense and bleak roster of resident evil characters.
5 Billy Coen
Debate: '90s glamor or borderline hypermasculinity?
- Featured in: RE0, The Umbrella Chronicles, RE: The Deck Building Game, Biohazard Outbreak Survive, Minna to BIOHAZARD Clan Master, Minna to BIOHAZARD Team Survive, CR biohazard 0, TEPPEN
Fans who dislike Billy describe him as embodying the toxic alpha male trope of the 90s – overconfident, nonchalant and rude, with some subtle misogynistic traits. They criticize Rebecca's treatment as paternalistic and believe his lack of background makes him forgettable.
On the other hand, Billy's supporters argue that his traits fit with '90s glamour, which often includes overconfidence and recklessness. They believe that his eventual respect for Rebecca reflects acceptable character development for a game of this nature.
4 Jake Muller
Controversy: Forgotten Trope or Potential Hero?
- Featured in: RE6, Minna to BIOHAZARD Clan Master, Minna to BIOHAZARD Team Survive, Biohazard 6, Umbrella Corps, TEPPEN
Player reactions to Jake Muller in Resident Evil 6 were mixed. Some enjoyed his battle-focused physical play and reckless attitude, while others saw him as a cliche “bad guy” turned hero.
Supporters argue that Jake's initially irritating character was necessary for his eventual redemption in the story. Critics, however, believe that this trope is overused and that Resident Evil 6 he is doing badly.
Today, Jake Muller remains one of the most divisive characters in the resident evil franchise, with fans debating whether it should return in future games or be left behind.
3 Lady Dimitrescu
Litigation: Oversexualized or Underutilized?
Alcina Dimitrescu sparked controversy even before Resident Evil 8his release. Fans quickly split into two camps: one group found her intriguingly attractive, while the other saw her as just another antagonist, perhaps not a memorable one.
Critics argued that Dimitrescu was overly sexualized, largely based on her reception in the gaming community rather than her role in the game. They also felt that despite her prominent role in Capcom's marketing, her character arc was anti-climactic.
In contrast, some fans consider Lady Dimitrescu one of the best villains in resident evil series. They admire her bold and creative design, but feel she was underutilized due to her brief appearance in the campaign.
2 Steve Burnside
Debate: Nice and cute or lackluster and lame?
- Featured in: Code: Veronica X, The Darkside Chronicles,
Steve's critics dislike his over-the-top childish behavior, feeling it doesn't fit in a horror setting like resident evil. They also point to his disturbing actions, such as trying to kiss Claire Redfield while she was sleeping. To them, Steve is simply too much and hard to identify with.
On the other hand, Steve's fans highlight his age, noting that he's just a 17-year-old dealing with traumatic events in a coming-of-age arc. They claim that his sacrifice at the end Code: Veronica it shows that he could mature and become an important character in the series. They see potential in him.
Considering Steve debuted in his era
Boy meets world
when teenage boy characters were often portrayed as over-the-top and goofy, it makes sense that
Resident Evil Code: Veronica
depicted in the same way.
1 Rebecca Chambers
Debate: Shinji Mikami's Mistake or Resident Evil's Beloved Ingenuity?
- Featured in: RE (1996/2002), RE0 (2002), Umbrella Chronicles (2007), RE5 (2009), The Mercenaries 3D (2011)
given that Shinji Mikami called her his least favorite female protagonist in the franchise, Rebecca Chambers is the most polarizing character in the resident evil. Although Mikami doesn't seem to like her, Rebecca is incredibly popular with the players. Most fans credit her for being a strong protagonist despite retaining her feminine features.
In an interview with The Guardian, Shinji Mikami made controversial comments about Rebecca that sparked controversy: “If I had to name the female character I disliked the most in my games, it would be Rebecca Chambers. She is submissive; she is not independent. I didn't want to include her, but the staff wanted such a character in the game for whatever reason. I'm sure it made sense to them.”
Interestingly, Rebecca was so popular with players that they even defended her against criticism from the game's creator, Shinji Mikami. One fan wrote: “Shinji can [disregard that argument]because he contradicts himself. All they have to do is look back at Ashley to understand that they need saving too. Ashley, not being a gun-toting agent like Leon, isn't as strong on her own.”
Debate over Rebecca's character continues, as her reception often comes down to personal taste. Some, like Mikami, dislike her anime-like qualities and see her as weak or dependent. Others find her loving, hardworking and inspiring, appreciating that despite her physical limitations, Rebecca remains resilient and determined.
