Honestly, if you've been following the Resident Evil series for decades, seeing the "Big Five" finally share a screen in Resident Evil: Death Island felt like a fever dream. It’s the Avengers-level crossover fans have been begging for since the Raccoon City days. But amidst the explosive action and the sight of Leon and Jill finally shaking hands, there's a lot of chatter about Chris Redfield's role that doesn't quite hit the mark. People see the boulder-punching legend and think he’s just there for muscle, but there’s a lot more under the surface in this 2023 CGI flick.
Chris Redfield isn't just a tank. In Death Island, we see a version of him that is weary, protective, and—surprisingly—a bit of a mentor figure struggling with the ghosts of his past.
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The San Francisco Connection
The movie kicks off with Chris investigating a bizarre zombie outbreak in San Francisco. This isn't your standard "bite and turn" situation. People are dropping dead and turning without a single scratch on them. While Leon is off chasing a kidnapped scientist and Claire is investigating a massive sea monster (typical Tuesday for a Redfield), Chris is the one who connects the dots.
He realizes every victim had one thing in common: they all recently visited Alcatraz Island.
It’s classic Chris. He’s the detective here as much as the soldier. He gathers the team—Jill Valentine, Rebecca Chambers, and eventually Leon and Claire—to storm the island. It’s the first time since Resident Evil: Code Veronica that we actually see the Redfield siblings working together in the field. Think about that for a second. It took over twenty years of real-world time to get Chris and Claire back in the same room for a mission.
Why the "Old Models" Controversy Matters
A lot of fans complained that Capcom used "old" models for the characters while Jill got a fresh RE3 Remake look. Basically, Chris looks like he walked straight out of Resident Evil 6 or Vendetta. While some called it lazy, it actually serves a narrative purpose. Chris is a veteran. He’s the anchor. By keeping his look consistent with his BSAA prime, the movie reinforces that he is the seasoned leader of this ragtag group of survivors.
Chris and Jill: The Emotional Core
The standout moment for Chris Redfield in Death Island isn't a fight scene. It’s a quiet conversation at a shooting range.
Jill is clearly struggling. She’s dealing with the lingering trauma of being brainwashed by Wesker in Resident Evil 5. Chris, being the overprotective partner we know him to be, tries to bench her. He wants her to stay behind for her own safety.
Jill’s response? She basically tells him to "grow up" (in so many words).
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But here’s the nuance: Chris opens up about Piers Nivans. For those who skipped Resident Evil 6, Piers was Chris’s protégé who sacrificed himself to save Chris. This is a huge character beat. Chris is terrified of losing another partner. He’s suffering from "compassion fatigue." He's tired of seeing his friends die in his arms while the world keeps finding new ways to create monsters.
Fighting Style: More Than Just Punching
When the lead starts flying on Alcatraz, Chris shows why he’s a living legend. He isn't just swinging wildly. His combat style in Death Island is a refined mix of what experts call "Martial Arts CQC."
You’ll notice he uses:
- Boxing and Karate: His strikes are heavy and direct.
- Close Quarters Combat (CQC): He uses his rifle not just as a gun, but as a melee weapon to create space.
- Tactical Awareness: Watch the way he moves with Leon. They cover each other’s blind spots with a level of synchronization that only comes from years of battling B.O.W.s.
He even wears a specialized Seiko Astron watch in the film. It's a titanium-cased beast designed to withstand the "aggressive" nature of his combat style. It’s a small detail, but it speaks to the "professional soldier" archetype that defines Chris at this point in the timeline.
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The Final Showdown with Dylan
The villain, Dylan Walker, is a guy with a serious grudge against the world—and specifically against the "heroes" of Raccoon City. During the final boss fight, where Dylan merges with a massive aquatic B.O.W., Chris doesn't try to take it on alone.
This is the big takeaway. In his younger days, Chris might have tried to hero his way through. Here, he coordinates with the whole team. He provides cover for Jill and Leon, trusts Rebecca to handle the technical side, and works in tandem with Claire. It’s a masterclass in leadership. They don't win because they're strong; they win because they're a unit.
What This Means for Resident Evil 9
Where does Chris go from here? Death Island is set between Resident Evil 6 and Resident Evil 7. It explains his mindset leading into the "Blue Umbrella" era and eventually Resident Evil Village.
We see a man who is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the "official" ways of doing things. He’s frustrated, he’s grieving, and he’s starting to realize that the war on bioterrorism might never actually end. If you want to understand why Chris seems so cynical and secretive in Village, look at his interactions in Death Island. The weight of the world is finally starting to crack his shoulders.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch for the References: Pay attention to the dialogue about Piers and the Mansion Incident. It’s not just fan service; it’s the motivation for every decision Chris makes in the film.
- Analyze the Teamwork: If you’re a gamer, watch how the characters interact during the Licker fight. It’s a great example of how different "classes" (Point man, Recon, Support) work together in the RE universe.
- Check the Timeline: Remember, this takes place in 2015. Chris is about 42 years old here. He’s at the absolute peak of his physical and tactical prowess.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the lore, your next step should be replaying the Lost in Nightmares DLC from Resident Evil 5. It provides the essential context for the Jill/Chris dynamic that serves as the heart of the Death Island story. You'll see exactly what Chris is so afraid of losing again.
Next Steps for You:
- Re-watch the shooting range scene in Death Island to catch the subtle mentions of the BSAA's internal struggles.
- Compare the combat animations in the film to Chris's "Not a Hero" DLC in Resident Evil 7 to see how his CQC style evolved.
- Keep an eye out for any news regarding the next CG film, as the ending of Death Island leaves the door wide open for this team to reunite.