Key conclusions
- Resident Evil characters are controversial, sparking debates in the fandom about their portrayals and personalities.
- Controversial characters like Billy and Lady Dimitrescu have divided fans due to their perceived tropes and designs.
- Fan reactions to characters like Keith, Ashley, and Jake range from finding them funny to cringe-worthy, from heroic to forgettable.
Resident Evil has always been a franchise characterized by controversy, from accusations of racism in the fifth installment to criticism of the oversexualization of the female antagonist after a positive reception by fans. These controversies often focus on specific characters, resulting in a long list of polar figures throughout the series' nearly thirty-year history. For example, Sheva Alamar was seen as a positive representation of African women Resident Evil 5but she is also criticized as one of the worst sidekicks in the franchise.
Of course, polarization is common in any fandom, and Resident Evil is no exception. In fact, over the years some have RE characters were so controversial that they inspired both boycotts from haters and calls for more content from passionate fans.
Some of the following entries may contain spoilers for Resident Evil games
8 Jill Valentine
Debate: Old Jill or New Jill?
- Recommended in: RE (1996/2002), RE3 (1999/2020), RE5, Umbrella Chronicles, The Mercenaries, Revelations, Revelations 2, Operation Raccoon City, Resistance, RE:Verse
Remake Resident Evil 3 turned Jill into a more expressive character, sparking debate among fans. Critics have argued that her suggestive comments about Nemesis and her “tough female detective” demeanor are at odds with her original, quieter, more polite and enigmatic personality. They feel that the new Jill falls into the cliche of the strong female video game character and resembles Claire Redfield in many ways.
On the contrary, some fans believe that the remake made Jill more realistic and relatable. They argue that her occasional rude remarks are in keeping with the game's setting and demonstrate that the female characters in Resident Evil no need to follow angelic or innocent stereotypes.
7 Ashley
Debate: Annoying Damsel in Distress or Cute Sidekick?
- Recommended in: Resident Evil 4 (2005/2023)
Some Resident Evil fans don't like Ashley because they think her clumsiness ruins the gameplay. They argue that Ashley adds no practical value and exists mainly to complicate Leon's mission. In the original Resident Evil 4they find her particularly selfish, irritable, and fragile—constantly calling for help or waiting for Leon to catch her instead of using the ladder.
On the other hand, Ashley's fans find her cute and sweet. They see her as a key part of the gameplay, deliberately requiring Leon to make strategic progress. Her fans also agree that Ashley's character was greatly improved in the remake, portraying her as a more realistic and sympathetic teenager (as opposed to the original Ashley, who only interacted with Leon during cutscenes).
6 Keith Lumley
Debate: Is he funny or offensive?
- Recommended 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 his role as comic relief in the tense setting of the survival horror film, others see it as detrimental.
Kit and his silly companion Quint were the first characters of the film Resident Evil franchise to mess with each other while fighting zombies. This shift to incorporating comedy into the serious tone of the franchise was polarizing. Critics argue that Keith's humor is unfunny and cringe-worthy, detracting from the company by its aloofness.
Despite this, some players view Keito as a welcome, light-hearted addition that provides much-needed comic relief in a busy game. While they admit he may not be the best character, they appreciate his role in offering a respite from a busy and dark roster. Resident Evil symbols.
5 Billy Cohen
Debate: 90s charm or borderline hypermasculinity?
- Recommended 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 don't like Billy describe him as the epitome of the toxic alpha male of the '90s—overconfident, carefree, and bordering on rude, with some subtle misogynistic traits. They criticize his treatment of Rebecca as patronizing and feel that his lack of backstory makes him unmemorable.
Conversely, Billy's fans argue that his features are consistent with '90s charm, which often includes exaggerated self-confidence and recklessness. They feel that his eventual respect for Rebecca represents acceptable character development for a game of this genre.
4 Jake Muller
Controversy: Unforgettable Trope or Potential Hero?
- Recommended in: RE6, Minna in BIOHAZARD Clan Master, Minna in BIOHAZARD Team Survive, Biohazard 6, Umbrella Corps, TEPPEN
Gamer reaction to Jake Mueller in the Resident Evil 6 were mixed. Some liked his physical combat-oriented gameplay and reckless attitude, while others saw him as a “bad boy-turned-hero” cliché.
Fans argue that Jake's original annoying personality was necessary for his eventual redemption in the story. Critics, however, believe that this trope is overused and that Resident Evil 6 doesn't handle it well.
Today, Jake Mueller remains one of the most controversial characters Resident Evil franchise, with fans debating whether he should return in future games or leave him behind.
3 Lady Dimitrescu
Controversy: Overuse or Underuse?
Alchyna Dimitrescu has caused controversy before Resident Evil 8liberation. Fans quickly split into two camps: one group found her intriguingly attractive, while the other saw her as just another, perhaps unmemorable, antagonist.
Critics argued that Dimitrescu was overly sexualized, mostly 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 was anticlimactic.
On the contrary, some fans consider Lady Dimitrescu to be one of the best villains 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: cute and handsome or dull and lame?
- Recommended in: Code: Veronica X, The Darkside Chronicles,
Steve's critics dislike his over-the-top childish behavior as they feel it doesn't fit in with the horror setting of Resident Evil. They also point to his disturbing actions, such as trying to kiss Claire Redfield while she was sleeping. For them, Steve is just too much and difficult to relate to.
Steve's fans, on the other hand, emphasize his age, noting that he is only a 17-year-old facing traumatic events in his coming-of-age arc. They claim that his sacrifice is at the end Code: Veronica shows that he can grow up and become an important character in the series. They see potential in him.
Given that Steve debuted in the era
Boy meets world
if the teenage characters were often painted as over-the-top and silly, that makes sense
Resident Evil Code: Veronica
painted it in the same way.
1 Rebecca Chambers
Controversy: Shinji Mikami's Mistake or Resident Evil's Beloved Ingenu?
- Recommended in: RE (1996/2002), RE0 (2002), Umbrella Chronicles (2007), RE5 (2009), Mercenaries 3D (2011)
Given that Shinji Mikami called her his least favorite female protagonist in the franchise, Rebecca Chambers is the most polarizing character Resident Evil. Although Mikami doesn't seem to like her, Rebecca is incredibly popular among gamers. Most fans recognize her as a strong heroine, despite the fact that she has retained her feminine features.
In an interview with The Guardian, Shinji Mikami made some 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 that character in the game, for whatever reason. I'm sure it made sense to them.”
Interestingly, Rebecca was so popular among players that they even defended her against criticism from the game's creator, Shinji Mikami. One fan wrote: “Cindy can [disregard that argument]how he contradicts himself. All he has to do is look back at Ashley to realize that they too need saving. Ashley, who isn't an agent with a gun like Leon, isn't that strong on her own.'
Debate over Rebecca's character continues, as her reception often boils down to personal taste. Some, like Mikami, dislike her anime-like qualities and see her as weak or dependent. Others find her likeable, hard-working and inspiring, appreciating that despite her physical limitations, Rebecca remains steadfast and determined.
