Most Divisive Resident Evil Characters That Created a Rift in the Franchise

Key Takeaways

Resident Evil characters are divisive, sparking debates within the fandom over their portrayals and personalities.
Controversial characters like Billy and Lady Dimitrescu have polarized fans over their perceived tropes and design.
Fans’ reactions to characters like Keith, Ashley, and Jake range from finding them comical to cringeworthy or heroic to forgettable.

As someone who grew up with the original Resident Evil games, I have to say that my feelings towards some of these characters are as complex as the viral outbreaks they fight against.

As a diehard fan, I’ve always found the Resident Evil series to be a rollercoaster ride of opinions. From allegations of racial insensitivity in its fifth installment to criticisms about oversexualizing female characters after gaining positive fan responses, this franchise has certainly sparked a lot of debate. These discussions often revolve around specific characters, creating a diverse cast that’s as controversial as it is compelling, having been part of the series for nearly three decades. For instance, Sheva Alomar was praised for her portrayal of African women in Resident Evil 5, but she also received criticism for being one of the franchise’s least favorable sidekicks.

Absolutely, fan polarization is quite typical in any fandom community, and Resident Evil (RE) is no different. In fact, certain RE character personalities have stirred such strong opinions that they’ve led to boycotts by critics and demands for additional content among dedicated supporters.

Some of the following entries may contain spoilers for Resident Evil games

8 Jill Valentine

Dispute: Old Jill or New Jill?

Featured In: RE (1996/2002), RE3 (1999/2020), RE5, Umbrella Chronicles, The Merceneries, Revelations, Revelations 2, Operation Raccoon City, Resistance, RE:Verse

The revamped version of Resident Evil 3 has given Jill a more dynamic role, which has stirred conversation among fans. However, some critics contend that her flirtatious remarks towards Nemesis and her assertive “tough female detective” demeanor contradict the subtle, polite, and enigmatic nature of the original Jill. They believe this new portrayal of Jill reinforces a stereotype of strong female video game characters and bears a striking resemblance to Claire Redfield in several aspects.

As a fellow enthusiast, I’ve noticed some fans contend that the remake has made Jill more authentic and identifiable. They posit that her casual moments of rudeness align with the game’s atmosphere and assertively challenge the notion that female characters in the Resident Evil series should always adhere to stereotypes of being angelic or innocent.

7 Ashley

Dispute: An Annoying Damsel in Distress or a Lovable Sidekick?

Featured In: Resident Evil 4 (2005/2023)

Certain fans of the “Resident Evil” series often express dissatisfaction towards Ashley, as they feel her frequent clumsiness negatively impacts gameplay. They believe that Ashley provides minimal usefulness and serves primarily to increase the challenges for Leon’s mission. In the original “Resident Evil 4,” these critics view Ashley as particularly self-centered, irritating, and fragile—constantly asking for assistance or relying on Leon to save her, rather than using ladders when available.

From the opposite perspective, many fans of Ashley find her endearing and sweet. They view her as an essential element in the gameplay, prompting Leon to make tactical advancements intentionally. Additionally, her admirers concur that Ashley’s character has been significantly enhanced in the remake, making her appear more authentic and interactive as a teenager. This is in contrast to the original Ashley who primarily interacted with Leon only during cutscenes.

6 Keith Lumley

Dispute: Is He Comical or Cringe?

Featured In: Resident Evil: Revelations

Blending terror and humor can sometimes be tricky, and Keith Lumley’s character in Resident Evil: Revelations serves as a strong illustration of this balance. Whilst certain fans enjoy his role as a humorous element amidst the otherwise intense survival horror atmosphere, others perceive it as a drawback.

In the world of Resident Evil, Keith and his quirky sidekick Quint were the pioneers who injected a dose of humor while fighting off zombies, a move that some found intriguing but others deemed as a disruption to the series’ traditional seriousness. The introduction of comedy was met with mixed reactions, with critics suggesting that Keith’s humor fell flat and felt awkward, making his character’s detached demeanor all the more jarring in the intense campaign.

Even though some might argue that Keith isn’t the most skillfully written character, many players find him an enjoyable, humorous element amidst the tense and somber cast of characters within Resident Evil, serving as a refreshing change during intense gameplay moments.

5 Billy Coen

Dispute: The ‘90s Charm or Borderline Hypermasculinity?

Most Divisive Resident Evil Characters That Created a Rift in the Franchise

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

Critics of Billy often portray him as a representation of the ’90s archetype of the arrogant, dismissive, and occasionally rude “alpha male.” Some even suggest that he exhibits hints of subtle misogyny. They frequently criticize his interactions with Rebecca, viewing them as patronizing, and argue that his lack of a detailed backstory makes him seem forgettable.

Instead, I’d contend that Billy’s characteristics resonate with the ’90s charisma archetype, characterized by overt self-assurance and a touch of recklessness. To me, it seems plausible that his growth towards respecting Rebecca demonstrates believable character progression for this type of game.

4 Jake Muller

Dispute: A Forgettable Trope or a Potential Hero?

Featured In: RE6, Minna to BIOHAZARD Clan Master, Minna to BIOHAZARD Team Survive, Biohazard 6, Umbrella Corps, TEPPEN

In the game Resident Evil 6, players’ responses towards Jake Muller varied. While some appreciated his action-oriented gameplay style and carefree demeanor, others perceived him as an overused trope of a rough-and-tumble character transitioning into a hero.

In the opinion of some fans, Jake’s initially annoying character traits were essential for his later transformation into a redeemed figure in the narrative. On the other hand, detractors feel that this plot device is frequently overused and believe that the handling of it in “Resident Evil 6” leaves much to be desired.

Currently, Jake Muller is a highly contentious figure within the world of Resident Evil, sparking ongoing discussions among fans as to whether he should make another appearance in upcoming installments or be written out of the series.

3 Lady Dimitrescu

Dispute: Oversexualized or Underutilized?

Featured In: RE: Village

Prior to the launch of Resident Evil 8, Alcina Dimitrescu sparked debate among fans. Swiftly, opinions split between two factions: one segment admired her uniquely intriguing allure, while others perceived her simply as another villain, potentially lacking in lasting impact.

Critics contended that Dimitrescu was excessively sexualized, a perception predominantly shaped by her response within the gaming community instead of her function in the game itself. Additionally, they found her significant presence in Capcom’s promotional efforts contrasted sharply with an underwhelming character development arc for her character.

On the flip side, certain enthusiasts believe that Lady Dimitrescu ranks among the top antagonists in the Resident Evil series. They appreciate her striking and innovative design, yet lament that her impact was somewhat limited because of her short-lived presence during the campaign.

2 Steve Burnside

Dispute: Likeable and Lovely or Lackluster and Lame?

Featured In: Code: Veronica X, The Darkside Chronicles,

Critics of Steve find his over-the-top juvenile demeanor off-putting in a horror context such as Resident Evil. They argue that his questionable actions, including attempting to kiss Claire Redfield while she was asleep, are disconcerting and make him difficult to empathize with. In their view, Steve is too outlandish for the role.

From another perspective, Steve’s supporters emphasize his youth, pointing out that he’s only 17 years old, navigating challenging circumstances in a coming-of-age storyline. They believe his selfless act at the end of Code: Veronica demonstrates his capacity to grow and become a significant figure in the series. They recognize his potential for development.

In the timeframe when shows like Boy Meets World were popular and typically featured teenage boys in over-the-top, comical ways, it’s not surprising that Steve was also shown this way within the game, Resident Evil Code: Veronica.

1 Rebecca Chambers

Dispute: Shinji Mikami’s Mistake or Resident Evil’s Beloved Ingénue?

Featured In: RE (1996/2002), RE0 (2002), Umbrella Chronicles (2007), RE5 (2009), The Mercenaries 3D (2011)

In spite of Shinji Mikami expressing his least favorable opinion towards her in the series, Rebecca Chambers remains one of the most divisive characters within the Resident Evil universe. While Mikami may not be a fan, Rebecca enjoys widespread popularity among players. Many fans attribute her enduring appeal to her strong character presence, even while retaining feminine characteristics.

During an interview with The Guardian, Shinji Mikami expressed some contentious views about the character Rebecca, causing a stir: “Of all the female characters in my games, Rebecca Chambers is the one I dislike the most. She’s not assertive; she lacks independence. Initially, I didn’t want to include her, but the team felt strongly about having such a character in the game for reasons that were unclear to me.

It’s worth noting that Rebecca was highly respected by the players, so much so that they stood up for her against criticisms from the game’s designer, Shinji Mikami. One supporter argued, “Shinji can dismiss that criticism because it contradicts itself. All he needs to do is recall Ashley to realize that she too needed rescuing. Ashley, who isn’t a gun-wielding agent like Leon, isn’t as self-reliant on her own.

The discussion about Rebecca’s character is ongoing, with opinions on her often reflecting individual preferences. Some people, such as Mikami, criticize her for characteristics similar to those found in anime, labeling her as feeble or submissive. On the other hand, others find her endearing, admiring her diligence, resilience, and determination. Despite her physical constraints, Rebecca’s spirit remains strong and inspiring.

2024-09-27 09:34