In the ever-evolving and twisted narrative of Resident Evil, few characters have undergone transformations as dramatic and controversial as Chris Redfield. A founding member of the original S.T.A.R.S. team and the longtime face of bioterror resistance, Chris’s role has always been to fight against the threat of organizations like Umbrella Corporation.

But when Resident Evil 7 shocked fans by revealing Chris Redfield seemingly working with a rebranded Umbrella, confusion erupted across the community.

So, does Chris Redfield really work for Umbrella? Or is there more to this story?

Let’s break it down.

🎖️ A Hero’s Origins – Chris Redfield and S.T.A.R.S.

Chris Redfield’s journey began in Resident Evil (1996) as part of the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team — a specialized unit of the Raccoon City Police Department sent to investigate bizarre murders in the Arklay Mountains.

What they discovered was Umbrella Corporation’s secret underground lab and the horrific T-Virus outbreak.

From the very beginning, Chris has been fighting against Umbrella. In fact, Resident Evil Code: Veronica and Resident Evil 5 saw him lead missions to bring down Umbrella’s legacy, hunting down dangerous remnants like Albert Wesker.

🧢 The Shocking Twist in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Resident Evil 7: Not a Hero DLC dropped a bombshell. Chris appears in a blue tactical outfit — but with an Umbrella logo on his shoulder.

This twist led fans to ask:

• Does Chris Redfield work for Umbrella now?
• Has he betrayed the BSAA?
• Is Capcom rewriting his legacy?

The answer is: Not exactly.

🧬 What Is the “New Umbrella”?

According to official Capcom lore and in-game files, the Umbrella Chris works with in Resident Evil 7 is not the same as the original Umbrella Corporation.

This “Blue Umbrella” is a reformed, government-monitored organization claiming to atone for the sins of the original Umbrella. Their mission is to assist organizations like the BSAA and clean up biohazard messes left behind by former bioterrorists.

Chris doesn’t trust them fully, but he uses their resources to complete his mission against Lucas Baker, a sadistic bioterrorist associated with The Connections.

🛡️ Who Does Chris Redfield Really Work For?

As of Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village, Chris Redfield works for the BSAA (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance), an international organization designed to combat biological threats.

While he cooperates with Blue Umbrella, he has made it clear that his allegiance is not with them. In Resident Evil Village, Chris leads a BSAA strike team, investigating the Mold and confronting the cult of Mother Miranda.

So when we ask:

Who does Chris work for?

The answer is: BSAA — but with conditional cooperation from Blue Umbrella.

🧠 Why Did Capcom Add Blue Umbrella?

This plot twist was likely introduced to:

• Reframe the moral complexity of the franchise
• Introduce the idea of redemption through responsibility
• Create tension between Chris and organizations with shady histories
• Make players question: Can evil corporations ever change?

Chris himself doesn’t fully trust Blue Umbrella. His dialogue in RE7 and RE Village shows his skepticism — and he seems ready to act independently if needed.

💥 Does Chris Still Trust the BSAA?

Resident Evil Village adds another layer of complexity when Chris finds that the BSAA themselves are using bio-weapons — something they were created to fight.

His final statement:

“What the hell is going on at BSAA?”
…suggests that even the BSAA may have fallen from grace.

This may set up Resident Evil 9, where Chris may go rogue — perhaps working against both BSAA and Umbrella remnants to uncover the truth.

🧩 Is Chris Redfield a Villain Now?

Absolutely not. Despite the twist in Resident Evil 7, Chris Redfield’s core motivations remain heroic:

• He fights to protect innocent lives.
• He opposes the misuse of biological weapons.
• He’s driven by justice and accountability.

Wearing the Umbrella logo doesn’t mean loyalty — it means using the tools available while keeping an eye on them.

🔮 What’s Next for Chris Redfield?

Capcom hasn’t officially confirmed whether Chris Redfield will return in Resident Evil 9, but all signs point to a final chapter in his legacy. Whether he goes rogue or continues as a BSAA operative, we’re likely to see a darker, more critical take on the institutions he once trusted.

And it all started when Chris showed up with that Umbrella badge.

✅ Final Answer

• Does Chris Redfield work for Umbrella?
   🟨 Technically yes — Blue Umbrella, a reformed version that claims to fight bioterrorism.
• Who does Chris actually work for?
   🟩 The BSAA, with limited cooperation from Blue Umbrella.
• Is he still a hero?
   ✅ Absolutely. Chris Redfield is still the core of Resident Evil’s fight against evil.