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.
Resident Evil has always been a franchise marked by controversy, from allegations of racism in its fifth installment to criticisms of oversexualizing a female antagonist after a positive fan reception. These controversies often center on specific characters, resulting in a long list of polarizing figures throughout the series’ nearly thirty-year history. For example, Sheva Alomar has been viewed as a positive representation of African women in Resident Evil 5, yet she is also criticized as one of the franchise’s worst sidekicks.
Of course, polarization is a common phenomenon in any fandom, and Resident Evil is no exception. In fact, over the years, some RE characters have been so divisive that they’ve 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
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 remake of Resident Evil 3 transformed 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 the remake made Jill more realistic and relatable. They argue that her occasional impolite remarks fit the game’s setting and demonstrate that female characters in Resident Evil don’t need to adhere to angelic or innocent stereotypes.
7 Ashley
Dispute: An Annoying Damsel in Distress or a Lovable Sidekick?
- Featured In: Resident Evil 4 (2005/2023)
Some Resident Evil fans dislike Ashley because they think her clumsiness ruins the gameplay. They argue that Ashley adds little practical value and is there mainly to make Leon’s mission more difficult. In the original Resident Evil 4, they see her as particularly selfish, annoying, and fragile—constantly calling for help or expecting Leon to catch her instead of using ladders.
On the other side, Ashley’s fans find her likable and sweet. They see her as a key part of the gameplay, intentionally requiring Leon to progress strategically. Her supporters also agree that Ashley’s character has been greatly improved in the remake, portraying her as a more realistic and responsive teenager (unlike the original Ashley, who only interacted with Leon during cutscenes).
6 Keith Lumley
Dispute: Is He Comical or Cringe?
- Featured In: Resident Evil: Revelations
Horror and comedy can be a risky combination, and Keith Lumley’s introduction in Resident Evil: Revelations is a prime example of this. While some fans appreciate his role as comic relief in the otherwise tense survival horror setting, others find it detrimental.
Keith and his goofy companion, Quint, were the first characters in the Resident Evil franchise to mess with each other while battling zombies. This shift towards incorporating comedy into the franchise’s serious tone was polarizing. Critics argue that Keith’s humor is unfunny and cringe-worthy, disrupting the campaign with his detached demeanor.
Despite this, some players view Keith as a welcome, light-hearted addition, providing much-needed comic relief in a stressful game. While they acknowledge he may not be the best-written character, they appreciate his role in offering a break from the intense and grim roster of Resident Evil characters.
5 Billy Coen
Dispute: The ‘90s Charm 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 ’90s toxic alpha male trope—overconfident, nonchalant, and borderline rude, with some subtle misogynistic traits. They criticize his treatment of Rebecca as patronizing and believe that his lack of backstory makes him forgettable.
Conversely, Billy’s supporters argue that his traits fit the ’90s charm trope, which often includes exaggerated self-confidence and recklessness. They believe that his eventual respect for Rebecca reflects acceptable character development for a game of this genre.
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
Gamers’ reactions to Jake Muller in Resident Evil 6 were mixed. Some enjoyed his physical combat-focused gameplay and reckless attitude, while others found him to be a cliché “bad boy” turned hero.
Supporters argue that Jake’s initial irritating persona was necessary for his eventual redemption in the story. Critics, however, believe this trope is overused and that Resident Evil 6 handles it poorly.
Today, Jake Muller remains one of the most divisive characters in the Resident Evil franchise, with fans debating whether he should return in future games or be left behind.
3 Lady Dimitrescu
Dispute: Oversexualized or Underutilized?
Alcina Dimitrescu stirred controversy even before Resident Evil 8‘s release. Fans quickly divided into two camps: one group found her intriguingly attractive, while the other saw her as just another antagonist, possibly 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.
Conversely, some fans consider Lady Dimitrescu one of the best villains in the Resident Evil series. They admire her bold and creative design but feel she was underutilized due to her brief campaign appearance.
2 Steve Burnside
Dispute: Likeable and Lovely or Lackluster and Lame?
- Featured In: Code: Veronica X, The Darkside Chronicles,
Steve’s critics dislike his exaggerated childish behavior, feeling it doesn’t fit in a horror setting like Resident Evil. They also point to his unsettling actions, like trying to kiss Claire Redfield while she was asleep. To them, Steve is simply too much and hard to relate to.
On the other side, Steve’s fans highlight his age, noting that he’s just a 17-year-old facing traumatic events in a coming-of-age arc. They argue that his sacrifice at the end of Code: Veronica shows he could mature and become an important character in the series. They see potential in him.
Given that Steve debuted in the era of
Boy Meets World
when teenage boy characters were often portrayed as exaggerated and goofy, it makes sense that
Resident Evil Code: Veronica
depicted him in the same way.
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)
Given that Shinji Mikami called her his least favorite female protagonist in the franchise, Rebecca Chambers is the most polarizing character in Resident Evil. Although Mikami doesn’t seem to like her, Rebecca is incredibly popular among gamers. Most fans credit her with being a strong protagonist despite retaining her feminine features.
In an interview with The Guardian, Shinji Mikami made controversial comments about Rebecca, which sparked controversy: “If I had to name the woman character I most disliked in my games, it would be Rebecca Chambers. She’s submissive; she’s not independent. I didn’t want to include her, but the staff wanted that kind of 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 criticisms from the game’s creator, Shinji Mikami. One fan wrote, “Shinji can [disregard that argument], as he contradicts himself. All he needs to do is look back at Ashley to understand that they also required saving. Ashley, who isn’t a gun-toting agent like Leon, isn’t as strong on her own.”
The debate over Rebecca’s character continues, as her reception often comes down to personal taste. Some, like Mikami, dislike her anime-like qualities and view her as weak or dependent. Others find her lovable, hardworking, and inspiring, appreciating that despite her physical limitations, Rebecca remains resilient and determined.
