One of the most iconic casts in survival horror has been brought back by the Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023), but with much improved writing and more solid characterization. Familiar faces are back and more alive, more thoughtful, and more connected to the modern Resident Evil timeline.
This guide gives a quick, simple review of the main characters, supporting roles, and villains in Resident Evil 4 Remake, without drowning you in too many details.
Main Characters
Leon S. Kennedy
In the remake, he’s quieter, more controlled, and clearly shaped by what happened in Raccoon City, which makes him no longer the “foolish” action hero from the original era. He’s still strong when he needs to be, but the emotional burden is always there. His mission is simple on paper: rescue the president’s daughter. Everything else is chaos.
Ashley Graham:
Ashley Graham gets a lot of improvement in the remake. She’s still vulnerable, but she’s smarter, more conscious, and far less challenging to protect. Her interactions with Leon feel more natural, which makes the escort sections feel intense instead of frustrating.
Ada Wong
Ada remains a mystery, but the remake draws harder into her professional isolation. She’s colder, more focused, and clearly focused on her own agenda. Her history with Leon is still there, but it no longer influences her decisions.
Supporting Characters
Luis Serra Navarro
Luis is no longer just comic relief. As a former researcher for Los Illuminados, he carries guilt and actively tries to make things right. His humor feels like a defense mechanism, not a personality trait, and his expanded role adds real emotional weight to the story.
The Merchant
The Merchant returns exactly how players expect, but with more relevance to gameplay. He handles upgrades, weapon tuning, and side content while still remaining completely unexplained. No backstory, no answers, just business.
Villains
Osmund Saddler
Saddler is the leader of Los Illuminados and the main threat behind everything. In the remake, he’s calmer and more controlled, relying on manipulation and ideology rather than theatrics. We don’t need to speak his name to feel dangerous.
Ramón Salazar
Salazar rules the castle and represents blind devotion taken too far. The remake dials down the exaggerated personality and replaces it with something more unsettling. He’s basically weak, but his commitment to Saddler makes us watch him carefully.
Jack Krauser
Krauser is seen as the most personal antagonist. The not-so-nice history between him and Leon brings real pressure that turns their interactions into something more than just another boss fight. Rather than evil, his dedication to getting more strength and power makes him feel terrible.
Bitores Méndez
Méndez controls the village and sets the tone early on. He’s intimidating, silent, and completely consumed by the cult. The remake hints at the man he used to be, which makes his presence even more unsettling.
Verdugo
Verdugo isn’t really a character so much as a nightmare. Silent, fast, and almost impossible to kill, it exists purely to make players feel powerless. Every encounter with it leans fully into survival horror.
Las Plagas
Las Plagas is the real enemy behind every major threat. The parasite strips away free will and turns people into tools, blurring the line between victim and villain throughout the game.
Why the Characters Work in the Remake
- Dialogue and behavior that make more sense
- Stronger emotional connection with RE2 and RE3 Remakes
- Villains that feel more naturally dangerous without being too much
- Better mix between action and survival horror
The Reason Why must you play this game AGAIN
The Resident Evil 4 Remake characters still feel familiar and don’t feel out of date. Capcom kept what worked, threw away the rubbish, and gave the cast more emotional burden. The result is a cleaner, darker, and more cohesive experience that fits perfectly into modern Resident Evil canon.
This page works as a simple review of Resident Evil 4 Remake characters, covering heroes, partners, and villains without overthinking things.
