Resident Evil 9: Who Are the Mysterious and Powerful New Villains?
The announcement of Resident Evil Requiem (Resident Evil 9) has ignited a wildfire of speculation among fans and analysts. Scheduled for release on February 27, 2026, and helmed by RE 7 director Koshi Nakanishi, the game introduces FBI agent Grace Ashcroft and sees the return of Leon S. Kennedy, with the story primarily set outside Raccoon City save for a brief return.
The trailer hints at looming doom, including ominous imagery of chains and a disfigured face that fans believe signals Lisa Trevor’s resurgence. Here are eight compelling candidates who could step into the spotlight as RE 9’s next chilling villain.
8 Villains Who Just May Be Our Next Problem In Resident Evil 9
1. Lisa Trevor
The trailer’s eerie shadows and chains strongly suggest Lisa Trevor, the tortured icon from the 2002 Resident Evil remake, is back, perhaps mutated by the T-virus and tragedy alike. Her return could intertwine the game’s narrative deeply with Umbrella’s sins and echo the original mansion’s horror-filled atmosphere.
2. Leon S. Kennedy (Corrupted)
Although revealed as a playable character, Leon could experience a shocking twist. A virus-induced transformation or moral fall (à la Wesker-style) would be a devastating narrative turn and deeply resonate with fans. Recent YouTube analyses even speculate an insider connection between Leon’s arc and possible villainous subtext.
3. Grace Ashcroft (Twisted Healer)
Grace arrives as an idealistic FBI agent, but The Gamer suggests she may morph into a final-boss antagonist. Trauma, infection, or a moral crisis could shatter her resolve and lead her to betray the mission she once believed in. The transformation from savior to scourge would offer rich emotional stakes.
4. Oswell Spencer
Umbrella’s enigmatic founder is due a grand return. While rumors swirl around clone experiments and Spencer himself reappearing, his legacy lingers in Requiem’s revisit to Raccoon City. Spencer—as mastermind or undead horror—could anchor the game’s ties to the series’ origins.
5. Albert Wesker (Resurrected)
As the face of Resident Evil villainy, Wesker is a perennial fan favorite. Though officially deceased, fan theories and trailer clues (like a hooded figure resembling him) strongly suggest he might return via cloning, resurrection, or lingering influence.
6. Brandon Bailey
A newer fan theory suggests the villain could be Brandon Bailey—a mysterious bio-engineered antagonist tied to The Connections, the post-Umbrella faction. If RE 9 delves into global bio-terror conspiracies, Bailey’s backstory could be pivotal.
7. Marguerite or Lucas Baker
Resident Evil 7 left the Baker family scarred and monstrous. With re-entries into the Baker estate unlikely, they could still appear via flashbacks, hallucinations, or other psychological means. Marguerite’s insect-commanding horrors or Lucas’s elaborate traps could haunt the narrative.
8. Luis Sera Gone Rogue
Luis, the charismatic ally in RE 4, was left in abject ruin. Theoretically resurrected or corrupted by viral experiments, a vengeful Luis could emerge as a tragic antagonist in Requiem—his story warped by bio-engineering or grief-induced obsession.
Honorable Mention
9. Mr. Simon – The Evolving Mastermind (Rumored New Threat)
Leaked design notes suggest a new antagonist named Mr. Simon, who oversees the mass production of bioweapons—possibly Eveline clones—on a remote island setting for RE9. Mixed with the evolving Megamycete and Ganado-style enemies, this character could offer a sinister, methodical adversary whose calm exterior masks horrifying scientific ambition. Mr. Simon might personify the shift from Umbrella’s legacy to a darker new era of bioterror.
10. Open-Semi‑Open World Creeping Horror
Capcom is rumored to explore semi-open world design technology, similar to Dragon’s Dogma 2’s engine, allowing players to traverse interconnected environments—abandoned hospitals, ghost towns, and dark forests—without sacrificing tension or claustrophobia. This new structure would give Mr. Simon room to manipulate players across expansive, non-linear areas, peppered with ritualistic or mythological elements like Goat‑Man or Wendigo creatures.
11. Lore Links & Psychological Depth
Requiem deepens its narrative roots through Grace Ashcroft’s family history—her mother, Alyssa, a journalist from Outbreak, anchors the story with buried truths of Umbrella and hidden experiments. Add in ties to recurring figures like Leon, Jill, and possibly Rose or Mia, and the game may thrust modern heroes into psychological conflict. Jill Valentine, for instance, might appear as a morally ambiguous figure—someone so battle-hardened she justifies using bioweapons herself.
The Next-Gen Horror Formula
By uniting the claustrophobic dread of survival horror with the structure of semi-open exploration, Requiem could recast Resident Evil as an emotional, atmospheric experience, centered on Grace’s trauma, Mr. Simon’s chilling efficiency, and the ever-present specter of old threats like an evolved Lisa Trevor or a corrupted Leon.
With the Feb 27, 2026 release just around the corner, RE9 promises a bold, profoundly creepy overhaul. Whether you’re chasing Mr. Simon across desolate streets or confronting familiar faces twisted by virus experimentation, Requiem seems set to redefine what true horror means in the Resident Evil universe.
Let me know if you’d like more deep dives into any of these potential villains, fan theories, or gameplay reveals!
With RE: Requiem set to test our resilience again, the true villain could be a masterful mix of old horrors and new nightmares. Whether the horror stems from personal betrayal (Leon, Grace), supernatural resilience (Lisa), or corporate evil (Spencer, Wesker), Requiem’s success hinges on crafting a figure both terrifying and memorable.
What do you think? Who would be the most unforgettable villain in Resident Evil 9? Let me know your theories in the comments—this is shaping up to be one of the most sinister entries in the series.
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