The T-virus was a bioweapon developed by the Umbrella Corporation; it was “a weapon of mass destruction beyond any world leader's wildest dreams—or nightmares” and was the deadliest virus ever developed by man. Its release into the world lead to the deaths of over 7 billion people, nearly wiping out the human race, and replaced them with relentless Undead creatures. The T-virus and Las Plagas covered here are from the live-action films directed by Paul Anderson and are not to be confused with their identically named game counterparts, which are covered in Virus Analysis: Tyrant and Virus Analysis: Las Plagas. This Analysis also covers the Scarab device, despite it having no stated relationship to any virus or parasite, as it is a direct adaption of the P30 drug from Resident Evil 5, which is based on the Progenitor Virus. Alexander Isaacs is also covered, despite his enhancements being technological rather than biological.
The information making up this analysis is a combination of info from the movies, their screenplays, and their novelizations, in addition to commentaries, featurettes, interviews, press kits, and other supplements. Special thanks to Rodney Holbrook, BSAArklay, Forerunner from the Resident Evil Wiki, Dr. Wunderbar, and Reen Hearst for contributing to this analysis in various ways.
The information within this analysis can be found in the following sections:
Part 1
1. History
2. T-virus Effects
3. T-virus Parasite Theory
4. Anti-Virus
5. Undead 6. Undead Dogs
7. Undead Crows
Part 2
Bioweapons and Other Monsters
Part 3
1. Evolved Humans 2. Las Plagas 3. Scarab 4. Sources and Note on Canon
This is part one of Virus Analysis: Anderson.
The information making up this analysis is a combination of info from the movies, their screenplays, and their novelizations, in addition to commentaries, featurettes, interviews, press kits, and other supplements. Special thanks to Rodney Holbrook, BSAArklay, Forerunner from the Resident Evil Wiki, Dr. Wunderbar, and Reen Hearst for contributing to this analysis in various ways.
The information within this analysis can be found in the following sections:
Part 1
1. History
2. T-virus Effects
3. T-virus Parasite Theory
4. Anti-Virus
5. Undead 6. Undead Dogs
7. Undead Crows
Part 2
Bioweapons and Other Monsters
Part 3
1. Evolved Humans 2. Las Plagas 3. Scarab 4. Sources and Note on Canon
This is part one of Virus Analysis: Anderson.
In 1982, the international conglomerate Umbrella was founded by two crusading scientists: Dr. Alexander Isaacs and Dr. James Marcus. The Umbrella Corporation specialized in technology, computer equipment and health care, and would become the leading supplier of these commodities in the entire world. At the height of its power in the beginning of the 21st century Umbrella had become the largest commercial entity in not only the United States, where it was headquartered, but in the entire world. 9 out of 10 homes contained Umbrella products. It was said to be stronger than any government and it had the wealth to buy and sell the US military twice over. The company was founded under the best of intentions, but its leaders were seduced by “greed and power” (The Final Chapter).
Some years after the company was founded, Dr. Marcus discovered something he called the “Progenitor Cell” during his research to cure his daughter Alicia of progeria. When the cell was injected into the human body it was capable of locating and repairing damaged cells almost instantaneously. It had “a myriad of applications, treating a thousand different diseases”. Umbrella used this cell to create numerous medical treatments. Marcus saw in it the potential to cure all disease (The Final Chapter novelization).
Some years after the company was founded, Dr. Marcus discovered something he called the “Progenitor Cell” during his research to cure his daughter Alicia of progeria. When the cell was injected into the human body it was capable of locating and repairing damaged cells almost instantaneously. It had “a myriad of applications, treating a thousand different diseases”. Umbrella used this cell to create numerous medical treatments. Marcus saw in it the potential to cure all disease (The Final Chapter novelization).
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In 1992, a boy named Callan Williams in Cape Town in South Africa was treated for his asthma with an Umbrella treatment derived from the Progenitor Cell. While on a school field trip, Callan choked to death on a peanut and an unprecedented side effect of the Progenitor Cell manifested itself in response – the corpse of the boy reanimated as an undead, flesh-eating monster. Umbrella covered the incident up and Marcus, who wanted to discontinue the use of the Progenitor Cell, was assassinated by Albert Wesker under orders from Isaacs.
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While the Progenitor Cell was considered a major medical breakthrough, the Cape Town incident inspired Umbrella to use the cell in highly profitable military applications, with support from the US government as a potential customer as well as from private contractors. A few short years later, Umbrella became a superpower in its own right.
Dr. Charles Ashford (head of Umbrella’s Advanced Genetics and Viral Research Division) developed a specialized “T-Cell formula” - the T-virus – using the Progenitor Cell. The T-virus was capable of incredible regenerative effects in humans and was publicly used as part of an anti-aging cream called “Renew” (alternatively called “Regenerate”). Other drugs possibly containing the virus included “Return” and “Rejuvanon”. Beneath its public use, however, the T-virus was also used in research banned by international law.
Dr. Charles Ashford (head of Umbrella’s Advanced Genetics and Viral Research Division) developed a specialized “T-Cell formula” - the T-virus – using the Progenitor Cell. The T-virus was capable of incredible regenerative effects in humans and was publicly used as part of an anti-aging cream called “Renew” (alternatively called “Regenerate”). Other drugs possibly containing the virus included “Return” and “Rejuvanon”. Beneath its public use, however, the T-virus was also used in research banned by international law.
T-virus research was initially held in the Arklay forests, just outside of Raccoon City in the midwestern United States. This research was moved to the Umbrella “Hive” facility due to an accidental outbreak in Arklay involving S.T.A.R.S. member Jill Valentine. At the same time T-virus research was taken away from Ashford, who like Marcus was also against bioweapons research. Virus research was then placed primarily under Mariano Rodriguez and Anna Bolt, who were tasked with refining the T-virus into a better weapon.
The Hive was the primary corporate headquarters of Umbrella, with a staff of 523 people. Living onsite at the underground complex, the Hive staff performed government contracts as a cover but really researched toxicology, gene splicing, and bioengineering, all for weapons development. Hive T-virus research was in particular aimed at manipulating brain signals after death, and to create weapons inflicting psychological torture on an enemy area. The Hive also performed research on the Licker bioweapon, the Nemesis Program, and Project: Open Book.
The Hive was the primary corporate headquarters of Umbrella, with a staff of 523 people. Living onsite at the underground complex, the Hive staff performed government contracts as a cover but really researched toxicology, gene splicing, and bioengineering, all for weapons development. Hive T-virus research was in particular aimed at manipulating brain signals after death, and to create weapons inflicting psychological torture on an enemy area. The Hive also performed research on the Licker bioweapon, the Nemesis Program, and Project: Open Book.
Umbrella sold the t-Virus first to the US government to be used as a weapon capable of turning enemy soldiers against each other. After this, Umbrella also sold the virus to the Russians, the Japanese, the Chinese, and any other developed nation able to afford it. Every superpower nation needed the virus in order to ensure they were not left behind in the “new arms race”; and while each government was too afraid to release the virus for fear of retribution from other virus-carrying nations, Umbrella managed to secure a fortune from each party. Umbrella secured its primary income this way and its profits quadrupled as a result. Umbrella used refurbished, Typhoon-class nuclear Soviet submarines to transport bioweapons across the planet
17 months (18 in The Final Chapter novelization) prior to the events of the first movie, Umbrella High Command, under the influence of Isaacs, began to plot the destruction of the majority of the human race using the T-virus - to “reboot” the human species while leaving Earth’s resources and infrastructure intact. This was ostensibly in order to prevent what they perceived to be the imminent extinction of humanity due to industrialization and overpopulation. In reality, Umbrella wanted to be able to rule in the aftermath, and Isaacs wanted to eliminate those of an “inferior breed” (The Final Chapter novelization). Most of High Command went into cryogenic sleep in the Hive in anticipation of the planned release of the virus along with individuals selected for their intelligence, skills, and “breeding”. (The Final Chapter novelization). Umbrella’s management was left in the hands of Wesker, a large number of clones, and the Hive’s sophisticated AI program "Red Queen". Wesker was tasked with using the company in order to expedite the destruction of humanity and to make sure no human outside of Umbrella was left alive to repopulate.
Genesis
In 2002, siblings Lisa Broward and Mattthew Addison concocted a plan to steal a sample of the T-virus from the Hive for their anti-Umbrella organization in the hopes of bringing attention to Umbrella’s illegal activities to the press. Lisa, infiltrating the Hive as a technician, made a deal with the Hive’s head of security, Alice Abernathy (AKA “Project: Alice”, a clone of Alicia Marcus).
Percival “Spence” Parks beat them to stealing the sample, as he wanted to sell both the virus and its antidote the “Anti-Virus” on the open market as well as to a specific buyer. The Retribution novelization implies that this buyer may have been Albert Wesker in disguise, making it part of Umbrella’s plot. Spence leaked a sample of the virus to cover his escape. The leaked virus got into an air vent and was proliferated throughout the Hive by the air conditioning system, infecting every employee within.
Percival “Spence” Parks beat them to stealing the sample, as he wanted to sell both the virus and its antidote the “Anti-Virus” on the open market as well as to a specific buyer. The Retribution novelization implies that this buyer may have been Albert Wesker in disguise, making it part of Umbrella’s plot. Spence leaked a sample of the virus to cover his escape. The leaked virus got into an air vent and was proliferated throughout the Hive by the air conditioning system, infecting every employee within.
The Red Queen detected the virus and, acting independently of Umbrella, sealed the Hive and killed everyone. It afterwards cut off communications, leaving Umbrella in the dark as to what had happened.
Five hours later, Umbrella’s “Sanitation” Strike Team infiltrated the Hive on a mission to disable the Red Queen and discover what happened. While using the Hive’s primary entrance underneath a mansion in the outskirts of Raccoon City, the team discovered Alice and Spence, who were suffering from amnesia due to the mansion’s security system releasing a special nerve gas. They also captured Matt and took all three with them into the Hive.
After disabling the Red Queen, Hive power recycled, unlocking all doors and releasing the many Undead created from the Hive staff along with Licker bioweapons. The entire team was wiped out as well as Spence.
Alice and Matt escaped the Hive but were captured by Umbrella. Matt, who was infected, was taken to be put in the Nemesis Program at Raccoon Hospital. Alice was placed in the program as well and injected with the T-virus herself.
Five hours later, Umbrella’s “Sanitation” Strike Team infiltrated the Hive on a mission to disable the Red Queen and discover what happened. While using the Hive’s primary entrance underneath a mansion in the outskirts of Raccoon City, the team discovered Alice and Spence, who were suffering from amnesia due to the mansion’s security system releasing a special nerve gas. They also captured Matt and took all three with them into the Hive.
After disabling the Red Queen, Hive power recycled, unlocking all doors and releasing the many Undead created from the Hive staff along with Licker bioweapons. The entire team was wiped out as well as Spence.
Alice and Matt escaped the Hive but were captured by Umbrella. Matt, who was infected, was taken to be put in the Nemesis Program at Raccoon Hospital. Alice was placed in the program as well and injected with the T-virus herself.
Apocalypse
Umbrella reopened the Hive under orders of Major Timothy “Able” Cain (although The Final Chapter novelization attributes it to Alexander Isaacs, while the film simply states he “allowed it” to escape). As a consequence of this, Undead and Lickers spilled onto the streets of Raccoon City. The virus completely overtook the city within 14 hours, forcing Umbrella to quarantine it. At this time Cain awakened both Alice and Matt, to test their newfound abilities against each other and against the inhabitants of the city.
Matt, now known as Nemesis, was killed, and Alice, who developed abilities far surpassing any human, escaped the city with a group of fellow survivors moments before the city was nuked by Umbrella and/or the US government. Most of the city’s 654,765 residents were killed.
Matt, now known as Nemesis, was killed, and Alice, who developed abilities far surpassing any human, escaped the city with a group of fellow survivors moments before the city was nuked by Umbrella and/or the US government. Most of the city’s 654,765 residents were killed.
Extinction
Alice was immediately recaptured after having presumably been killed in a helicopter crash and taken to the Umbrella Medical Research Facility in San Fransico (which was meant to replace the facilities in Raccoon after its destruction; Extinction novelization). After three weeks of being experimented on and modified by Dr. Samuel Isaacs/”J.” Isaacs, clone of Alexander Isaacs and head of the Nemesis program, Alice awoke and escaped the facility with even greater powers than before. She was monitored using Umbrella satellites and Umbrella at this point had the power to manipulate her behavior remotely. This eventually led to the death of Angela Ashford. Alice eventually resisted Umbrella’s control long enough to break into a Detroit facility, find their satellite data, and learn how to avoid them.
Nuking Raccoon City proved to only be a stopgap. Dr. Jim Knable, an Umbrella employee charged with checking the blood of survivors of Raccoon City for the virus, accidentally got infected blood into an open cut on his finger. Very shortly after Alice escaped San Francisco, Knable turned into an Undead within the same city and created a new outbreak. Either spreading from there or from places Knable had visited during the incubation period, the virus continued to spread into Oklahoma, Michigan, and Baltimore. Afterwards it reached Washington DC, Brookland, Indianapolis, Saint Louis, Chicago, and Atlanta. The infection spread especially quick due to air travel (Extinction novelization and The Final Chapter). The virus also managed to spread in the wind from Raccoon City to other locations. It was also speculated that the infection was carried from the city by hundreds of infected rats that fled from the city through the sewer systems, which were attempting to flee the heat of the explosion (Extinction screenplay).
Within mere weeks the virus spread across the entire United States. Within months it spread across the entire planet, due in large part to American refugees breaking quarantine (Extinction novelization). The T-virus outbreak became a pandemic of unprecedented proportions. This was, either intentionally or as a coincidence, in line with Umbrella’s plan to destroy the world.
Several years following the destruction of Raccoon City, humanity was a microcosm. According to the White Queen in the Extinction novelization, at this point only 1,733,543 normal humans were left on the planet (1,733,548 in one Extinction screenplay).
Samuel Isaacs attempted to pacify the Undead at an Umbrella bunker in California, built 200 feet underneath an old weather station at the heart of Death Vally. He managed to create “Super Undead” as an unexpected result. After rediscovering Alice’s location, Isaacs sent a cargo container filled with Super Undead to Los Vegas to intercept her as well as Claire Redfield’s convoy. After foiling this attack, Alice tracked Isaacs back to the bunker, parting with the remains of the convoy and discovering hundreds of sleeping Alice clones. Alice killed Samuel, who had mutated into a monster known as “Tyrant”.
Within mere weeks the virus spread across the entire United States. Within months it spread across the entire planet, due in large part to American refugees breaking quarantine (Extinction novelization). The T-virus outbreak became a pandemic of unprecedented proportions. This was, either intentionally or as a coincidence, in line with Umbrella’s plan to destroy the world.
Several years following the destruction of Raccoon City, humanity was a microcosm. According to the White Queen in the Extinction novelization, at this point only 1,733,543 normal humans were left on the planet (1,733,548 in one Extinction screenplay).
Samuel Isaacs attempted to pacify the Undead at an Umbrella bunker in California, built 200 feet underneath an old weather station at the heart of Death Vally. He managed to create “Super Undead” as an unexpected result. After rediscovering Alice’s location, Isaacs sent a cargo container filled with Super Undead to Los Vegas to intercept her as well as Claire Redfield’s convoy. After foiling this attack, Alice tracked Isaacs back to the bunker, parting with the remains of the convoy and discovering hundreds of sleeping Alice clones. Alice killed Samuel, who had mutated into a monster known as “Tyrant”.
Afterlife
A year later, Alice invaded Umbrella’s Japanese Headquarters located beneath Tokyo, along with a great number (at least 100) of clones of herself. The facility was destroyed by a plasma-based explosion, killing all of Umbrella’s employees there as well as most Alice clones (several escaped the blast, but they were later hunted down and decapitated by another clone of Isaacs). Albert Wesker and the “original” Alice Abernathy survived and confronted each other. Wesker injected Alice with a serum that took away her powers. Wesker also revealed that he himself also possessed powers from the virus. After a helicopter crash, Wesker was presumably killed while Alice survived.
Six months later, Alice finally made her way to Alaska where she hoped to find a human settlement known as Arcadia, which was free from infection. After finding no one but Claire, who was implanted with a Scarab device, Alice made her way to Los Angeles. There she discovered that Arcadia was actually a ship (a retrofitted tanker) which made its way down the western coast, picking up survivors.
After encountering the newly developed Majini Undead and an Axe Man bioweapon, Alice made her way to the Arcadia. There it was further discovered that the ship was used as an Umbrella trap to gather survivors for use as test subjects and further expedite the eradication of humanity. She confronted Albert Wesker there (and a new kind of mutant dogs), presumably killing him again.
Six months later, Alice finally made her way to Alaska where she hoped to find a human settlement known as Arcadia, which was free from infection. After finding no one but Claire, who was implanted with a Scarab device, Alice made her way to Los Angeles. There she discovered that Arcadia was actually a ship (a retrofitted tanker) which made its way down the western coast, picking up survivors.
After encountering the newly developed Majini Undead and an Axe Man bioweapon, Alice made her way to the Arcadia. There it was further discovered that the ship was used as an Umbrella trap to gather survivors for use as test subjects and further expedite the eradication of humanity. She confronted Albert Wesker there (and a new kind of mutant dogs), presumably killing him again.
Retribution
The survivors aboard Arcadia were soon after attacked by an Umbrella invasion led by Jill Valentine, a Racoon City survivor controlled by a Scarab. Following the Arcadia raid, Alice was captured and taken to Umbrella’s Prime Testing Facility, AKA “Umbrella Prime”, under the Kamchatka Strait in northern Russia. Umbrella Prime was a clone manufacturing plant, a testing area, a bioweapons distribution center, and a showroom for potential Umbrella customers who could afford the T-virus prior to the apocalypse. Following the onset of the T-virus pandemic, Prime’s purpose changed from demonstrating the power of the virus to studying, containing, and controlling the biohazard.
While Alice was held captive at Umbrella Prime, Umbrella attempted to speed up the extinction of the human race by attacking human settlements and releasing bioweapons into the wild, which they had perfected in the years following the incident in Racoon City. This was referred to as its “cleansing operation”. Most surviving Umbrella employees were implanted with Scarab devices controlled by the Red Queen. Albert Wesker pretended to join the last unified resistance group, in order to both destroy the resistance from within and to eliminate a rival at Umbrella (The Final Chapter novelization).
Several weeks later, after being rescued by Leon S. Kennedy's strike team (encountering an Uber-Licker and Las Plagas monsters in the process), Alice was taken to the White House, which was under siege by Undead. There Wesker gave Alice her powers back.
While Alice was held captive at Umbrella Prime, Umbrella attempted to speed up the extinction of the human race by attacking human settlements and releasing bioweapons into the wild, which they had perfected in the years following the incident in Racoon City. This was referred to as its “cleansing operation”. Most surviving Umbrella employees were implanted with Scarab devices controlled by the Red Queen. Albert Wesker pretended to join the last unified resistance group, in order to both destroy the resistance from within and to eliminate a rival at Umbrella (The Final Chapter novelization).
Several weeks later, after being rescued by Leon S. Kennedy's strike team (encountering an Uber-Licker and Las Plagas monsters in the process), Alice was taken to the White House, which was under siege by Undead. There Wesker gave Alice her powers back.
The Final Chapter
After surviving the onslaught of Undead, Uber-Lickers, the flying Infectors, and the gigantic Melange (The Final Chapter novelization), as well as a betrayal by Wesker, Alice lost her powers again. She soon after encountered the Javo. Alice then discovered that an airborne version of the Anti-Virus was held by Umbrella 200 feet under the remains of the Hive. Alice only had 48 hours to find and release the Anti-Virus due to Umbrella’s “final solution” - a final, coordinated attack on the last human settlements with the aim of finally killing all human survivors.
Alice then traveled to the ruins of Raccoon City. Alice entered the Hive and (after fighting Cerberus dogs and the Bloodshot) confronted the real Alexander Isaacs and Wesker. With help from Alicia Marcus and the Red Queen, Alice retrieved the Anti-Virus and released it, ensuring the eventual eradication of all traces of the virus. Isaacs and Umbrella High Command were all killed, but remains of what was once Wesker survived deep underground, waiting for a chance to recover (The Final Chapter novelization).
The T-virus pandemic lasted a total of 10 years and by its end in 2012 the human population of the world was reduced to under 4,472 people. The last sizable human settlements in existence were located in Kyoto, Paris, Berlin, and the ruins of Raccoon City.
Alice then traveled to the ruins of Raccoon City. Alice entered the Hive and (after fighting Cerberus dogs and the Bloodshot) confronted the real Alexander Isaacs and Wesker. With help from Alicia Marcus and the Red Queen, Alice retrieved the Anti-Virus and released it, ensuring the eventual eradication of all traces of the virus. Isaacs and Umbrella High Command were all killed, but remains of what was once Wesker survived deep underground, waiting for a chance to recover (The Final Chapter novelization).
The T-virus pandemic lasted a total of 10 years and by its end in 2012 the human population of the world was reduced to under 4,472 people. The last sizable human settlements in existence were located in Kyoto, Paris, Berlin, and the ruins of Raccoon City.
The Progenitor Cell (The Final Chapter novelization’s name for the prototype T-virus) was discovered from a study into retarding the ageing process, in the hopes of treating Alicia Marcus of progeria - a genetic disorder which caused her to experience the effects of ageing at an accelerated rate. Charles Ashford then used it to develop the T-virus, in the hopes of curing the degenerative nerve disease of Angela Ashford by revitalizing dead and damaged cells.
The virus was initially used in a test case which would involve practical application to a wide range of people with minimal consequences if it failed. To this end, the T-virus was used in an ointment that would keep skin cells from aging (Renew/Regenerate). When applied as a daily moisturizer the ointment rejuvenated tired and dying cells, allowing people to retain a youthful appearance. It was afterwards discovered that the T-virus had the potential to eradicate all cellular-based wasting diseases worldwide (something Umbrella was reluctant to do, as it made more money treating disease than curing it; Apocalypse novelization).
The virus was initially used in a test case which would involve practical application to a wide range of people with minimal consequences if it failed. To this end, the T-virus was used in an ointment that would keep skin cells from aging (Renew/Regenerate). When applied as a daily moisturizer the ointment rejuvenated tired and dying cells, allowing people to retain a youthful appearance. It was afterwards discovered that the T-virus had the potential to eradicate all cellular-based wasting diseases worldwide (something Umbrella was reluctant to do, as it made more money treating disease than curing it; Apocalypse novelization).
The T-virus was referred to as a “T-cell formula” in drug advertisements, and its co-creator Ashford referred to it as a T-Cell, although whether or not he was referring to the virus or a cell infected by it is unknown. Timothy Cain’s computer also referred to it as a T-cell formula on a monitor displaying the status of Project: Alice.
T cells are real, natural cells developed in the thymus gland. They are a type of lymphocyte and play a central role in the immune response. The T-virus has been said to be “predicated” on real T cells. It may have been developed using the genetic material found in T cells, or rather using the genetic material found in the Progenitor Cell, which was likely a T cell itself. It is unknown if the Progenitor Cell was a T cell modified artificially or a natural type of T cell that Umbrella simply discovered.
Regardless of what they are, T-virus T-Cells are literally T-shaped, and so it is possible that this is not only where the T in T-virus comes from, but it may be what Ashford was referring to by “T-Cell”. T-Cells are also covered in what seem to be strands or tentacles, and throb when active.
T cells are real, natural cells developed in the thymus gland. They are a type of lymphocyte and play a central role in the immune response. The T-virus has been said to be “predicated” on real T cells. It may have been developed using the genetic material found in T cells, or rather using the genetic material found in the Progenitor Cell, which was likely a T cell itself. It is unknown if the Progenitor Cell was a T cell modified artificially or a natural type of T cell that Umbrella simply discovered.
Regardless of what they are, T-virus T-Cells are literally T-shaped, and so it is possible that this is not only where the T in T-virus comes from, but it may be what Ashford was referring to by “T-Cell”. T-Cells are also covered in what seem to be strands or tentacles, and throb when active.
Image scanned from the Biohazard 2 Movie Data File by RELive.
The primary effect of the T-virus (and the Progenitor Cell) was boosting the process of regeneration, as it was designed to combat insufficient cellular growth - to combat aging and death. It apparently worked by stimulating cells, causing the overall metabolism of the host to improve. The T-virus caused infected cells to reproduce rapidly while also improving the overall quality of each cell. The virus could even stimulate dead cells that were somewhat intact, allowing them to resume activity. It achieved these effects by rewriting DNA and causing genetic changes which made cells stronger and more active.
The effects of the virus on a host’s metabolism allowed for a wide variety of effects. An Umbrella-made drug called RETURN utilized the T-virus in order to reduce body weight, with each tablet apparently burning off 30 pounds. Rejuvanon was an eye-drop drug containing the T-virus that could correct vision. The T-virus could treat many other ailments, including asthma. Not only do T-virus hosts heal remarkably well, but they do not require sustenance to do so. How the virus manages this is unknown, but it is something no natural virus or anything else can achieve.
At first, Progenitor Cell-based medical treatments were not 100% reliable – Callan Williams, who was treated for asthma with the Cell, seemed to have an asthma attack after choking on a peanut; and Alicia’s progeria was only somewhat stalled by her treatments. These failings were likely rectified in the following years, to some degree.
The effects of the virus on a host’s metabolism allowed for a wide variety of effects. An Umbrella-made drug called RETURN utilized the T-virus in order to reduce body weight, with each tablet apparently burning off 30 pounds. Rejuvanon was an eye-drop drug containing the T-virus that could correct vision. The T-virus could treat many other ailments, including asthma. Not only do T-virus hosts heal remarkably well, but they do not require sustenance to do so. How the virus manages this is unknown, but it is something no natural virus or anything else can achieve.
At first, Progenitor Cell-based medical treatments were not 100% reliable – Callan Williams, who was treated for asthma with the Cell, seemed to have an asthma attack after choking on a peanut; and Alicia’s progeria was only somewhat stalled by her treatments. These failings were likely rectified in the following years, to some degree.
It was eventually discovered that the Progenitor Cell/T-virus remained active even after the death of the host, a discovery which was considered “miraculous”. This, combined with the anti-aging effects of the virus and its effects on the metabolism made the idea of immortality obtainable. Isaacs at one point planned on using the proceeds obtained by Umbrella, both legal and illegal, to achieve immortality; although Issacs eventually decided that cybernetic enhancements were a superior alternative in this regard due to the unstable nature of the T-virus (The Final Chapter novelization).
For all these reasons the T-virus was worth millions to pharmaceuticals; but it was worth billions as a biological weapon. This is because the T-virus also caused hosts to become extremely aggressive in most cases, and this combined with their heightened regeneration made them deadly and dangerous.
After Umbrella shifted development towards making the virus into a suitable weapon, the “T-3” strain was created (named such at least in the original screenplay). T-3 was capable of using the regenerative effects of T to turn hosts into monsters. The name may imply that it was the third major iteration of the T-virus.
For all these reasons the T-virus was worth millions to pharmaceuticals; but it was worth billions as a biological weapon. This is because the T-virus also caused hosts to become extremely aggressive in most cases, and this combined with their heightened regeneration made them deadly and dangerous.
After Umbrella shifted development towards making the virus into a suitable weapon, the “T-3” strain was created (named such at least in the original screenplay). T-3 was capable of using the regenerative effects of T to turn hosts into monsters. The name may imply that it was the third major iteration of the T-virus.
The T-virus has a protean transmission vector, meaning it continually changes. The virus changes from liquid to airborne to blood transmission, depending on its environment. The natural form of the virus (liquid) is injected into hosts to create powerful - yet uncontrollable - mutations. The regenerative effects of the virus are actually too strong, and in most cases the excessive increase in cellular division causes abnormal developments, like redundant tissue growth. This leads to both body-strengthening and in the development of harmful symptoms. Common mutations in live hosts are the development of stronger tissue, new mental/sensory abilities, tentacles or tendrils, sharp teeth, tongue mutations, bone disfigurements, and a general increase in overall size. Mutations alternate depending on the strain used, and how long the virus itself is able to mutate in the wild.
In hosts who are able to withstand and regulate the regenerative and mutagenic effects of the virus, cell activity is stable yet incredibly improved. This leads to what is described as essentially being instantaneous evolution.
When exposed to air, the virus mutates into a form that spreads in a miasma which temporarily spreads throughout thin air. This miasma is detectable by the Red Queen sensors and by dogs. It becomes more unstable in this form and will kill hosts instead of mutating them. Once the miasma infects animals, the virus mutates into a form spread through blood, saliva, and skin contact. Eventually it will become airborne again. This form of the virus is 100% fatal to those who inhale it, and it is suggested the virus can be carried into hosts from the air without them breathing it (such is the case in corpses). When widespread, the airborne strain may become less active, and will only infect corpses (likely due to them lacking a working immune system). Hosts killed by the air or bite strain will transform into Undead. This is referred to as the “secondary form” of the virus.
In hosts who are able to withstand and regulate the regenerative and mutagenic effects of the virus, cell activity is stable yet incredibly improved. This leads to what is described as essentially being instantaneous evolution.
When exposed to air, the virus mutates into a form that spreads in a miasma which temporarily spreads throughout thin air. This miasma is detectable by the Red Queen sensors and by dogs. It becomes more unstable in this form and will kill hosts instead of mutating them. Once the miasma infects animals, the virus mutates into a form spread through blood, saliva, and skin contact. Eventually it will become airborne again. This form of the virus is 100% fatal to those who inhale it, and it is suggested the virus can be carried into hosts from the air without them breathing it (such is the case in corpses). When widespread, the airborne strain may become less active, and will only infect corpses (likely due to them lacking a working immune system). Hosts killed by the air or bite strain will transform into Undead. This is referred to as the “secondary form” of the virus.
The virus, once released, is almost impossible to kill or contain. According to the Red Queen, if one infected person escaped the Hive, the infection would spread across the whole US in 13 days, Canada and South America in 27 days, and worldwide in less than two months. In Raccoon it spread faster than even Umbrella anticipated. The rate at which the virus mutated and switched transmission vectors was also unknown to anyone, including Umbrella (Extinction novelization).
While viruses are extremely picky in what they can and cannot infect, the T-virus works in humans, dogs, birds, spiders, rabbits, and possibly rats. Other potential hosts are unknown. Flies have been depicted feeding on infected corpses without displaying any symptoms of infection (The Final Chapter novelization, Extinction). Rats were suggested to have had a role in the spread of the virus, although they may have been asymptomatic carriers (Extinction screenplay).
While viruses are extremely picky in what they can and cannot infect, the T-virus works in humans, dogs, birds, spiders, rabbits, and possibly rats. Other potential hosts are unknown. Flies have been depicted feeding on infected corpses without displaying any symptoms of infection (The Final Chapter novelization, Extinction). Rats were suggested to have had a role in the spread of the virus, although they may have been asymptomatic carriers (Extinction screenplay).
The deadly, secondary form of the virus also had a large impact on the environment. It was said to dry up bodies of water and kill plants and even soil. Because of this, large stretches of land were turned into barren wastelands by the virus and existing deserts became even more barren. Exactly how the T-virus was able to affect water is unknown, although it may be that it promoted the development of microorganisms that fed on extreme amounts of water. These effects were not entirely universal once the virus spread across the planet – the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool still had water ten years into the outbreak and there were still forests in Alaska. Many animals continued to survive as well, including rats, sea gulls, pelicans, terns, lions, fish, whales, walruses, dogs, jackrabbits, polar bears, flies, and roaches. Many of these animals, particularly the larger ones, struggled to survive and were forced to live as scavengers. One pilot whale was described as feeding on Undead and battled an Uber Licker, which could imply it was infected or that it was desperate to find food in order to survive in the near-barren world (Retribution novelization). It is implied the airborne T-virus can permeate soil in order to infect buried corpses. Since Isaacs claimed that he wanted to release the virus in order to prevent environmental disasters like global warming, it may be that this attribute of the virus was unknown, suddenly sprung up in new, wild strains, or that Isaacs was simply lying to Umbrella’s High Command.
Hosts who have been infected with the T-virus (and do not perfectly coexist with it) tend to become obsessed with devouring the flesh and blood of the uninfected, while simultaneously avoiding the flesh of the infected. According to the Red Queen in the original script for the first movie:
“They feed on what mankind has always wanted to prey upon, what you have always sought to destroy. Yourselves. […] I find it perfectly in keeping with human behavior. Stripped of culture, intelligence, reason... they are your true primal selves. The evil that dwells within all of you”.
As this also applies to animal hosts of the virus like dogs and birds, then this implies the virus amplifies some urge inherent in all life, or at least in all carnivore and omnivore life. This would explain why Hive staff performed T-virus injection experiments on rabbits, while simply holding the subjects down, as herbivores would not have a primal urge to kill.
Rabbits were used as T-virus and Anti-Virus test subjects at the Hive
T-virus hosts can absorb the DNA of victims by eating them. This may be possible through recombination: when a virus passes from host to host, its genetic structure may change as it rewrites host cells. It incorporates elements of the host and piggybacks them to another host. While feeding, it may be the attacker infects the prey by biting them, the virus mutates inside of the prey, then the attacker consumes the new virus. This may be the actual reason virus hosts are driven to consume others, as the host requires or craves new mutations, and needs not only the DNA but the biomass of others in order to fuel the continued activity and changes in the body of the host.
Animals in tanks at the Hive were spliced together in the original screenplay. Some had barely-human skeletons. These are said to be the result of gene splicing. These experiments could be unrelated to the T-Virus, but if related they are likely the same in principle as Hunters from the game universe – the virus makes splicing genes from one animal into another easier.
While the T-Virus is often depicted as blue and the Anti-Virus as green, viruses do not actually have color. This is actually due to the liquid they are stored in being dyed. They were likely color coded for easy identification. The virus was almost always stored in a vial comprised of both a glass container shaped like a double helix, and a metal casing that could be sealed to prevent accidental leakage.
Dr. Jim Knable managed to develop special solvent that could determine if a person was infected with the T-virus. When blood containing the virus was heated with the solvent it would turn blue. If blood heated with the solvent did not contain the virus, it turned green. The fact these colors corresponded with the colors of the T-virus and Anti-Virus vial solutions is either coincidental, designed to correspond for consistency’s sake, or is an indicator that the colors of the vials actually are somehow caused by the virus. The blood treatment sometimes gave false positives, but never gave false negatives.
Dr. Jim Knable managed to develop special solvent that could determine if a person was infected with the T-virus. When blood containing the virus was heated with the solvent it would turn blue. If blood heated with the solvent did not contain the virus, it turned green. The fact these colors corresponded with the colors of the T-virus and Anti-Virus vial solutions is either coincidental, designed to correspond for consistency’s sake, or is an indicator that the colors of the vials actually are somehow caused by the virus. The blood treatment sometimes gave false positives, but never gave false negatives.
The following is Doktor Wunderbar’s (co-author of The Biology of Evil) take on T cells, and any relation they may have to the abilities possessed by the T-virus:
Doktor - There are immune cells called T cells (so-named because they mature in the thymus). These are the cells that play the greatest role in fighting viruses. They also play roles in other infections, cancer, and some autoimmune diseases. I don't know what kind of connection could exist between T cells and the T-Virus. T cells don't have any intrinsic ability to treat degenerative symptoms. But a couple of possibilities come to mind, if you don't mind me indulging in speculation.
T cells have a couple of unique qualities (actually, they share these with B cells, but most cells don't do this). They can reproduce very rapidly if needed. More interesting to me, they can change their own DNA, and they do so as part of the maturation process. They do it in a very specific way called V(D)J recombination, which wouldn't allow the more widespread genetic changes you need. But it's a starting point.
There is a subset of T cells called regulatory T cells, or Tregs. These suppress immune responses to prevent them from becoming damaging. They could potentially help in neurodegenerative diseases, if those diseases are autoimmune.
Apparently Tregs also help in cutaneous wound healing, although I know less about their role here. Likely they provide certain cytokines (chemical signals) that regulate other cells that are more directly involved.
Evil Resident - More accurately, the T-virus is used to treat the symptoms of a nerve disease by healing cells, I think. And in this same vein it somehow reverses the aging of skin cells.
And by this is "stimulates" cells which are dying, creating zombies
Doktor - Well, T cells can definitely do the opposite of that. If they find anything suspicious about another cell, perhaps indicating a viral infection or cancer, they can kill that cell or tell the cell to kill itself (yes, cells can be told to commit suicide). The only way in which I imagine them revitalizing cells would be through secretion of regulatory factors like the ones involved in wound healing.
Although you could also say that the T-Virus takes advantage of the ability of T cells to proliferate rapidly, as I mentioned. If you can get a nerve cell or skin cell to do that, you can repair injury (or cause cancer).
Evil Resident - Could that also be used to explain the necrosis side effect? Both what kills the host before turning them into a zombie, and why they begin to rot almost immediately?
Doktor - T cells could definitely do that. They are little murder machines. Now, getting all of these qualities into a virus is another story.
Doktor - There are immune cells called T cells (so-named because they mature in the thymus). These are the cells that play the greatest role in fighting viruses. They also play roles in other infections, cancer, and some autoimmune diseases. I don't know what kind of connection could exist between T cells and the T-Virus. T cells don't have any intrinsic ability to treat degenerative symptoms. But a couple of possibilities come to mind, if you don't mind me indulging in speculation.
T cells have a couple of unique qualities (actually, they share these with B cells, but most cells don't do this). They can reproduce very rapidly if needed. More interesting to me, they can change their own DNA, and they do so as part of the maturation process. They do it in a very specific way called V(D)J recombination, which wouldn't allow the more widespread genetic changes you need. But it's a starting point.
There is a subset of T cells called regulatory T cells, or Tregs. These suppress immune responses to prevent them from becoming damaging. They could potentially help in neurodegenerative diseases, if those diseases are autoimmune.
Apparently Tregs also help in cutaneous wound healing, although I know less about their role here. Likely they provide certain cytokines (chemical signals) that regulate other cells that are more directly involved.
Evil Resident - More accurately, the T-virus is used to treat the symptoms of a nerve disease by healing cells, I think. And in this same vein it somehow reverses the aging of skin cells.
And by this is "stimulates" cells which are dying, creating zombies
Doktor - Well, T cells can definitely do the opposite of that. If they find anything suspicious about another cell, perhaps indicating a viral infection or cancer, they can kill that cell or tell the cell to kill itself (yes, cells can be told to commit suicide). The only way in which I imagine them revitalizing cells would be through secretion of regulatory factors like the ones involved in wound healing.
Although you could also say that the T-Virus takes advantage of the ability of T cells to proliferate rapidly, as I mentioned. If you can get a nerve cell or skin cell to do that, you can repair injury (or cause cancer).
Evil Resident - Could that also be used to explain the necrosis side effect? Both what kills the host before turning them into a zombie, and why they begin to rot almost immediately?
Doktor - T cells could definitely do that. They are little murder machines. Now, getting all of these qualities into a virus is another story.
A T-virus cell
It is possible that the T-virus in the Anderson universe is not a virus at all, but rather a unicell (creature made of one cell) parasite, like a bacterium (The Final Chapter novelization does also say that Umbrella was involved in bacterial warfare). This is not only supported by evidence throughout the series, but it is actually more in line with how the T-virus is said to function:
The Final Chapter novelization explains that the T-virus is based on the “Progenitor Cell”. The T-shaped cells inside of Alice (first seen in in Afterlife) were described as being the T-virus itself in the screenplay. The T-virus is also described as a “T-cell formula” at multiple points throughout the series. It is even said to be based on natural T cells produced by the immune system. However, viruses do not have cells: they are simply nucleic acids covered in a shell made of protein – packaged DNA and RNA that can’t replicate on their own. Viruses are not even considered living organisms by some scientists, being more comparable to microscopic machines. Therefore, while the “T-Cells” could work as cells that have been infected and transformed by the virus, they cannot be the virus itself. It is likely that when the series refers to “T-Cells”, it actually means “T-virions” (which is what viruses are actually comprised of), which would solve the issue, except that even then virions would be located within the host’s cells – Alice being purged of free-floating virions would not reverse her infection like it is shown to do. Alternatively, this could also be interpreted as being an indication that the T-”virus” is not a virus at all.
During his constant battle for control of the T-virus inside of his own body, Wesker pondered the possibility that the virus “had a mind of its own”. While he acknowledged the idea was “ludicrous”, he also acknowledged that he couldn’t easily dismiss the idea (The Final Chapter novelization). This idea is supported throughout expanded material, with Undead being described as brain-dead vehicles controlled by the virus. Yet viruses are not living organisms, let alone intelligent ones. The virus actually being a unique, cellular form of life works much better with this idea. If this is the case, it would also further explain the obsession hosts have with devouring uninfected flesh, as it would essentially be the T-Cells seeking to reproduce.
When the Extinction clone of Isaacs transformed into the Tyrant, his mutation was described as another organism expanding from inside his body outward. The tentacles developed by Matt Addison grew from his wound like a separate organism, and even Alice had movement beneath her skin. It may be that the T-Cells reproduce into said “mutations”, similar to how some fungi will begin their lifecycle as single-cell bacteria. This would also explain the mandibles seen in Majini Undead, Javo, and Wesker – they are all, assuming this theory is true, infected by a “T-parasite” that has managed to grow from single cells introduced into the bloodstream. This is also supported by the presence of the Las Plagas parasite.
The Final Chapter novelization explains that the T-virus is based on the “Progenitor Cell”. The T-shaped cells inside of Alice (first seen in in Afterlife) were described as being the T-virus itself in the screenplay. The T-virus is also described as a “T-cell formula” at multiple points throughout the series. It is even said to be based on natural T cells produced by the immune system. However, viruses do not have cells: they are simply nucleic acids covered in a shell made of protein – packaged DNA and RNA that can’t replicate on their own. Viruses are not even considered living organisms by some scientists, being more comparable to microscopic machines. Therefore, while the “T-Cells” could work as cells that have been infected and transformed by the virus, they cannot be the virus itself. It is likely that when the series refers to “T-Cells”, it actually means “T-virions” (which is what viruses are actually comprised of), which would solve the issue, except that even then virions would be located within the host’s cells – Alice being purged of free-floating virions would not reverse her infection like it is shown to do. Alternatively, this could also be interpreted as being an indication that the T-”virus” is not a virus at all.
During his constant battle for control of the T-virus inside of his own body, Wesker pondered the possibility that the virus “had a mind of its own”. While he acknowledged the idea was “ludicrous”, he also acknowledged that he couldn’t easily dismiss the idea (The Final Chapter novelization). This idea is supported throughout expanded material, with Undead being described as brain-dead vehicles controlled by the virus. Yet viruses are not living organisms, let alone intelligent ones. The virus actually being a unique, cellular form of life works much better with this idea. If this is the case, it would also further explain the obsession hosts have with devouring uninfected flesh, as it would essentially be the T-Cells seeking to reproduce.
When the Extinction clone of Isaacs transformed into the Tyrant, his mutation was described as another organism expanding from inside his body outward. The tentacles developed by Matt Addison grew from his wound like a separate organism, and even Alice had movement beneath her skin. It may be that the T-Cells reproduce into said “mutations”, similar to how some fungi will begin their lifecycle as single-cell bacteria. This would also explain the mandibles seen in Majini Undead, Javo, and Wesker – they are all, assuming this theory is true, infected by a “T-parasite” that has managed to grow from single cells introduced into the bloodstream. This is also supported by the presence of the Las Plagas parasite.
In Apocalypse, the T-virus actually does have a form that resembles an actual virus (seen above), unlike its appearance in Afterlife.
T-Cells are shown to have small, tentacle-like protrusions, like the limbs of an amoeba. The tentacles commonly seen in T-virus mutations may simply be the enlarged limbs of the T-parasite itself. T-Cells also make squealing noises, like animals.
The T-Cells/T-virus, going by this theory, would function much like the NE-α parasite from the games – it is injected into the host at the cellular level, then grows and consumes host cells while also strengthening the overall host. T-Cells preying on the hosts cells would also explain the necrosis symptom.
The word “virus” can also be used to mean any kind of corrupting influence, which would include a parasite. The “virus” in “T-virus” could also be referring to how the T-Cells possess virus-like qualities, like the ability to rewrite the individual cells of a host. It may even be that T-Cells actually contain a separate virus, which they use to influence the cells they target within the host. There is somewhat of a precedence for this in reality – parasitoid wasps use viruses to influence the behavior of their hosts. This would explain how the T-Cells manage to cause mutations in the host’s cells. It is also possible that the T-Cells completely replace the host’s natural ones. It is at one point stated that Alice bonded with the T-Cells on a cellular level, which could imply the T-Cells fuse with the host cells to create multinuclear super-cells. Finally, it is possible that the T-cells are merely capable of horizontal gene transfer, and that they replace the genes inside of individual cells as they repair them.
It is also possible that the virus simply causes entirely new cells to form which are also referred to as “T-virus”, similar to how “G” is used to describe the G-Virus, G-Cells, and G-Creatures in the games.
The T-Cells/T-virus, going by this theory, would function much like the NE-α parasite from the games – it is injected into the host at the cellular level, then grows and consumes host cells while also strengthening the overall host. T-Cells preying on the hosts cells would also explain the necrosis symptom.
The word “virus” can also be used to mean any kind of corrupting influence, which would include a parasite. The “virus” in “T-virus” could also be referring to how the T-Cells possess virus-like qualities, like the ability to rewrite the individual cells of a host. It may even be that T-Cells actually contain a separate virus, which they use to influence the cells they target within the host. There is somewhat of a precedence for this in reality – parasitoid wasps use viruses to influence the behavior of their hosts. This would explain how the T-Cells manage to cause mutations in the host’s cells. It is also possible that the T-Cells completely replace the host’s natural ones. It is at one point stated that Alice bonded with the T-Cells on a cellular level, which could imply the T-Cells fuse with the host cells to create multinuclear super-cells. Finally, it is possible that the T-cells are merely capable of horizontal gene transfer, and that they replace the genes inside of individual cells as they repair them.
It is also possible that the virus simply causes entirely new cells to form which are also referred to as “T-virus”, similar to how “G” is used to describe the G-Virus, G-Cells, and G-Creatures in the games.
The Anti-Virus (AKA Anti Virus or antivirus) was, as its name suggests, a foil to the T-virus. It was designed to destroy the T-virus inside the bodies of hosts, acting as an antidote to infection. It was likely designed by Charles Ashford for the express purpose of controlling the infection of his daughter Angela, and later produced by Umbrella to act as an emergency countermeasure in case of a viral leak.
The Anti-Virus did not act as a permanent vaccine - only as an antidote. A person who used the Anti-Virus would be cleansed of any existing infection with the T-virus and for a short while would be safe from any new infection. But after a period of time the Anti-Virus would leave the system and render the host vulnerable to infection again. In the original film’s screenplay however, it was said that it could be used to immunize people in order to control how a T-virus outbreak would spread, in a manner comparable to the A-Virus (this idea was not used, as individuals like Carlos were administered the Anti-Virus and were later infected again anyway).
The Anti-Virus worked by destroying the T-virus itself, while somehow preserving infected cells that have not undergone excessive mutations. In hosts who have already turned into Undead or monsters it was fatal. In the screenplay for the first movie, it acted like acid when spilled on a Licker’s face.
The Anti-Virus did not act as a permanent vaccine - only as an antidote. A person who used the Anti-Virus would be cleansed of any existing infection with the T-virus and for a short while would be safe from any new infection. But after a period of time the Anti-Virus would leave the system and render the host vulnerable to infection again. In the original film’s screenplay however, it was said that it could be used to immunize people in order to control how a T-virus outbreak would spread, in a manner comparable to the A-Virus (this idea was not used, as individuals like Carlos were administered the Anti-Virus and were later infected again anyway).
The Anti-Virus worked by destroying the T-virus itself, while somehow preserving infected cells that have not undergone excessive mutations. In hosts who have already turned into Undead or monsters it was fatal. In the screenplay for the first movie, it acted like acid when spilled on a Licker’s face.
The Anti-Virus wouldn't work even before the Undead transformation if the infection progressed far enough. In the case of Carlos, he was saved using the Anti-Virus even though an entire 3 hours had passed since he was infected with the T-virus. In hosts who are administered the Anti-Virus before it is too late, the early T-virus symptoms will almost immediately fade, like pale skin and fatigue.
Umbrella discovered that, following the release of the virus after Raccoon City’s destruction, that the rapid, wild mutations in the virus very quickly made it less and less susceptible to the effects of the Anti-Virus, to the point it could stop working altogether. It is possible that the earlier version of the Anti-Virus did in fact immunize the host but was simply circumvented by mutations in the wild virus. An Isaacs clone hoped that by using Alice’s antibodies, the relatively “weak” Anti-Virus could be strengthened to the point that it was capable of not only immunizing humans, but somewhat reversing the symptoms of the virus in Undead to a degree.
Umbrella discovered that, following the release of the virus after Raccoon City’s destruction, that the rapid, wild mutations in the virus very quickly made it less and less susceptible to the effects of the Anti-Virus, to the point it could stop working altogether. It is possible that the earlier version of the Anti-Virus did in fact immunize the host but was simply circumvented by mutations in the wild virus. An Isaacs clone hoped that by using Alice’s antibodies, the relatively “weak” Anti-Virus could be strengthened to the point that it was capable of not only immunizing humans, but somewhat reversing the symptoms of the virus in Undead to a degree.
The Anti-Virus was called “T-4” in the original screenplay. Based on the name clearly being related to T-3 and the fact an airborne version was created, it seems the Anti-Virus was in itself a strain of the T-virus (while vaccines do contain weakened strains of the virus they combat, the Anti-Virus is not a traditional vaccine). This is supported by the novelization for Retribution, which claimed that the Anti-Virus created using Alice’s blood was a “purer” strain of the T-virus.
In the Extinction novelization, once Isaacs injected himself with a sample of the Anti-Virus after he was bitten by a Super Undead, his wound immediately stopped bleeding and “was already starting to itch, indicating the healing process”. This implies that the Anti-Virus not only destroys the virus, but heals wounds created by Undead as well. Considering the T-virus was also used in medicine and that the Anti-Virus may have been a strain of the T-virus, this ability is understandable.
In Afterlife, Wesker injected Alice with an Anti-Virus that took away her T-virus abilities. Alice was not permanently harmed but lost most of the powers the virus bestowed upon her. Whether or not this Anti-Virus was the same as the standard version or a special one that was designed to eliminate Alice’s powers in particular is unknown. According to the screenplay, this Anti-Virus was made up of “single-cell organisms with lashing tentacles”, similar to the T-Cells of the T-virus. These cells would locate and then latch onto the T-Cells within Alice and “suck” the life out of them until they were destroyed. While some of her T-Cells avoided destruction, leaving Alice with some remnants of her former powers, the Anti-Virus cells remained in her body as well. As the normal Anti-Virus leaves the body after a short period of time, this would suggest this Anti-Virus was indeed a new strain. Whenever Alice used her remaining powers (particularly her mental ones), the Anti-Virus cells would be able to sense T-Cell activity, locate the cells themselves, and attack them, stopping Alice from continually using her powers. Wesker noted that this serum could take away his own powers and make him human again (The Final Chapter novelization).
In The Final Chapter novelization, it is stated that the serum Wesker injected into Alice at the White House at the end of Retribution contained both the T-virus and another version of the Anti-Virus. This Anti-Virus was designed to only work once Alice used her telekinetic powers, essentially giving her one free use of her powers before losing them again. The mechanism by which this worked seems to have been related to how the Afterlife Anti-Virus would locate Alice’s T-Cells when they were active.
In the Extinction novelization, once Isaacs injected himself with a sample of the Anti-Virus after he was bitten by a Super Undead, his wound immediately stopped bleeding and “was already starting to itch, indicating the healing process”. This implies that the Anti-Virus not only destroys the virus, but heals wounds created by Undead as well. Considering the T-virus was also used in medicine and that the Anti-Virus may have been a strain of the T-virus, this ability is understandable.
In Afterlife, Wesker injected Alice with an Anti-Virus that took away her T-virus abilities. Alice was not permanently harmed but lost most of the powers the virus bestowed upon her. Whether or not this Anti-Virus was the same as the standard version or a special one that was designed to eliminate Alice’s powers in particular is unknown. According to the screenplay, this Anti-Virus was made up of “single-cell organisms with lashing tentacles”, similar to the T-Cells of the T-virus. These cells would locate and then latch onto the T-Cells within Alice and “suck” the life out of them until they were destroyed. While some of her T-Cells avoided destruction, leaving Alice with some remnants of her former powers, the Anti-Virus cells remained in her body as well. As the normal Anti-Virus leaves the body after a short period of time, this would suggest this Anti-Virus was indeed a new strain. Whenever Alice used her remaining powers (particularly her mental ones), the Anti-Virus cells would be able to sense T-Cell activity, locate the cells themselves, and attack them, stopping Alice from continually using her powers. Wesker noted that this serum could take away his own powers and make him human again (The Final Chapter novelization).
In The Final Chapter novelization, it is stated that the serum Wesker injected into Alice at the White House at the end of Retribution contained both the T-virus and another version of the Anti-Virus. This Anti-Virus was designed to only work once Alice used her telekinetic powers, essentially giving her one free use of her powers before losing them again. The mechanism by which this worked seems to have been related to how the Afterlife Anti-Virus would locate Alice’s T-Cells when they were active.
Wesker injects Alice with a serum containing both the T-virus and a special version of the Anti-Virus.
An airborne version of the Anti-Virus was secretly created as well within the Hive, as part of Umbrella High Command’s ultimate plan to destroy the virus after it had already ravaged the human race. This strain of Anti-Virus was capable of destroying T-Cells regardless of any wild mutations they underwent. The airborne strain was capable of self-propagating once released and spreading on its own using wind current (supporting the idea that the Anti-Virus is a strain of the virus itself). So long as it was released in the open air, the airborne strain would continue to spread until it covered the entire planet, much like the T-virus itself. Like the normal Anti-Virus, the airborne Anti-Virus was lethal to hosts whose infection had progressed far enough but acted as a cure for hosts in the early stages of infection, or for hosts whose infection was limited (like Alice). While live hosts would inhale the strain, Undead ones were simply slain on contact with it. When it was finally released, the Anti-Virus killed thousands of Undead within mere seconds. When Alice inhaled it, it first burned her throat and then wracked her body with wave after wave of pure agony as it attacked every cell in her body, locating and destroying every remaining T-Cell without actually harming her healthy cells.
According to The Final Chapter novelization, the airborne strain was “devilishly difficult to produce, extremely unstable, and it had taken them thousands of attempts just to get this much of it [a single vial]”. Besides being so difficult to create, the airborne strain was also limited to a single sample due to the secrecy surrounding it and the fact that any more samples would risk rendering the T-virus useless and foiling Umbrella’s ultimate plans.
Without the aid of jetliners and other modern modes of transport to aid in its spread, the airborne Anti-Virus was said to need years to fully spread across the apocalyptic wasteland the world had become when it was at last released. It would eventually dissipate once there were no longer any T-virus cells to attack, leaving open the possibility that subterranean T-virus hosts (like the remains of Wesker) could potentially emerge onto the surface safely.
According to The Final Chapter novelization, the airborne strain was “devilishly difficult to produce, extremely unstable, and it had taken them thousands of attempts just to get this much of it [a single vial]”. Besides being so difficult to create, the airborne strain was also limited to a single sample due to the secrecy surrounding it and the fact that any more samples would risk rendering the T-virus useless and foiling Umbrella’s ultimate plans.
Without the aid of jetliners and other modern modes of transport to aid in its spread, the airborne Anti-Virus was said to need years to fully spread across the apocalyptic wasteland the world had become when it was at last released. It would eventually dissipate once there were no longer any T-virus cells to attack, leaving open the possibility that subterranean T-virus hosts (like the remains of Wesker) could potentially emerge onto the surface safely.
Zombies? But old-school zombies are low-grade horrors compared to these Undead. These creatures are unspeakably vicious, at times capable of moving quickly, of forming deadly mandibles, of configuring into overgrown living-dead variants. The lab-developed T-virus has created the new Undead, hungry for human flesh—and capable of being genetically modified into something even worse.
From the Resident Evil Retribution novelization
“Undead” (plural and singular; alternatively called Zombies) were created either when a dead human was infected with the T-virus or when a host to the virus or to the Progenitor Cell died during or prior to mutation. The official, technical name for Undead was “Retro Animated Weapons Systems”. Andy Timson referred to them as “reanimated corpses” or “corpses” for short; the members of Claire Redfield’s convoy nicknamed them “zomboids”; the survivors of Baltimore named them “zees”; and Umbrella’s leading committee called them “biohazards” (Extinction novelization).
“Undead” (plural and singular; alternatively called Zombies) were created either when a dead human was infected with the T-virus or when a host to the virus or to the Progenitor Cell died during or prior to mutation. The official, technical name for Undead was “Retro Animated Weapons Systems”. Andy Timson referred to them as “reanimated corpses” or “corpses” for short; the members of Claire Redfield’s convoy nicknamed them “zomboids”; the survivors of Baltimore named them “zees”; and Umbrella’s leading committee called them “biohazards” (Extinction novelization).
The T-virus, once introduced into the body, would spread into the adrenal glands. From there it is distributed throughout the body (adrenal glands have one of the greatest blood supply rates of any organ), mutating the host's cells in the process. Eventually the virus would reach the spinal column and from there reach the pineal gland at the center of the brain. In hosts infected by the lethal form of the virus (“secondary infection” - inhalation or spread from the bite or touch of another infected host), the pineal gland will mutate and as a result expand uncontrollably until it eventually bursts, killing the host. The virus also caused necrosis (cell death) which leads to widespread tissue failure. This is likely a hold out from the origins of the T-virus – T cells are sometimes used by the immune system to kill the body's own cells to fight infection and can go so far as to cause widespread tissue damage and death.
Following death, the virus would reanimate the infected corpse, creating Undead. The pineal gland becomes the “command center” for the virus at this point.
Following death, the virus would reanimate the infected corpse, creating Undead. The pineal gland becomes the “command center” for the virus at this point.
Parts of the human body remain active after death for some time. Traces of electronic signals stay in the brain for months, including fragments of memories that fade over time. The T-Virus would provide a massive jolt to these signals, causing the brain to reactivate. It would also stimulate the dying cells throughout the body, causing them to resume growth and activity. Instead of being fed by a continued blood supply, infected brains were continually “charged” by electrical impulses created by the virus. Undead have been described as “an inflamed nervous system” with nothing truly “alive”.
T-virus reanimation is essentially the result of the virus attempting to use its healing properties on its hosts even after they have died, and only partially succeeding. Even users of drugs containing the Progenitor Cell would sometimes reanimate after dying from natural causes due to the Progenitor Cell remaining active after death. The airborne strain of the virus killing the host is actually a separate quality from it reanimating them into Undead - they just so happen to enable each other.
T-virus reanimation is essentially the result of the virus attempting to use its healing properties on its hosts even after they have died, and only partially succeeding. Even users of drugs containing the Progenitor Cell would sometimes reanimate after dying from natural causes due to the Progenitor Cell remaining active after death. The airborne strain of the virus killing the host is actually a separate quality from it reanimating them into Undead - they just so happen to enable each other.
Once a host was infected with the airborne strain of the virus it would typically take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours to kill them. The speed at which it would affect the host was dependent on the severity of the infection and the strength of the host’s immune system. On one occasion it took a host (Dr. Jim Knable) over three weeks to turn into an Undead (Extinction novelization). Once a host was killed, either by the virus itself or by outside causes like Undead attacks, the transformation into an Undead would take anywhere from minutes to mere seconds. Even if someone was killed the very same moment that they were infected they would still turn just moments later.
Once the virus spread through the air across the globe it ceased to become lethal when inhaled. Instead, the low levels of virus in the air would sometimes reanimate those who lacked a working immune system – namely, corpses (seen with Charles Ashford in Apocalypse, and implied in the Extinction novelization). In the original screenplay for the first movie even bites were not actually lethal - the host would remain asymptomatic until they died of outside causes. The Progenitor Cell itself appeared to be entirely non-lethal as well, only transforming a host who has died first.
Once a host was infected with the airborne strain of the virus it would typically take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours to kill them. The speed at which it would affect the host was dependent on the severity of the infection and the strength of the host’s immune system. On one occasion it took a host (Dr. Jim Knable) over three weeks to turn into an Undead (Extinction novelization). Once a host was killed, either by the virus itself or by outside causes like Undead attacks, the transformation into an Undead would take anywhere from minutes to mere seconds. Even if someone was killed the very same moment that they were infected they would still turn just moments later.
Once the virus spread through the air across the globe it ceased to become lethal when inhaled. Instead, the low levels of virus in the air would sometimes reanimate those who lacked a working immune system – namely, corpses (seen with Charles Ashford in Apocalypse, and implied in the Extinction novelization). In the original screenplay for the first movie even bites were not actually lethal - the host would remain asymptomatic until they died of outside causes. The Progenitor Cell itself appeared to be entirely non-lethal as well, only transforming a host who has died first.
Prior to being killed by the virus and transforming into Undead, hosts would experience nausea, vomiting/gagging, coughing up blood, sweating, tingling, bloodshot eyes and clouded vision, muscular atrophy, pale skin, and foaming at the mouth. Vision would sometimes begin to degrade, as was the case with Rain Ocampo.
The actual death symptom was sometimes entirely unpredictable, with hosts falling over dead in an instant despite seeming healthy enough moments prior. The “J-Pop” Undead (Afterlife and Retribution) turned without so much as falling over, with the death symptom and the reanimation stage happening simultaneously.
The actual death symptom was sometimes entirely unpredictable, with hosts falling over dead in an instant despite seeming healthy enough moments prior. The “J-Pop” Undead (Afterlife and Retribution) turned without so much as falling over, with the death symptom and the reanimation stage happening simultaneously.
After the transformation into an Undead was complete, the host would be physically characterized by glazed/milky/watery white eyes (while host vision degraded prior to the final transformation, the eyes would become totally glazed over the very moment the host became Undead). Undead also had even paler skin and decayed teeth. Some Undead also had bloodshot eyes. These symptoms manifested themselves immediately following reanimation.
An Undead immediately after reanimation. Note the immediate degradation of the eyes.
Wounds on Undead indicated that they either suffered necrosis or that the natural process of rotting was accelerated. The effects of necrosis were often apparent even before the host became Undead, with the damage made to the skin and eyes. The reason for the T-virus causing necrosis was likely a result of it being derived from T cells. It may also be that the virus broke down the cells it stimulated by attempting to rewrite their genetic material too rapidly. The mutations that gave other hosts like Alice mind powers caused Undead to suffer brain damage, while the mutations creating stronger skin and muscle in various bioweapons caused Undead flesh to rot. The airborne strain may have actually caused stronger mutations, with the effects of the virus becoming stronger every time it mutated, leading to necrosis and Undead hosts instead of live ones.
In many cases Undead were not decayed much at first. Some Undead would even retain a human appearance. Over time the skin would bruise and blacken, blood vessels would become inflamed, open sores would develop, and finally parts of the body would begin to fall off – especially the lips, nose, and outside of the ears. The exact rate of decay varied wildly from individual to individual. Undead left active for years became even more disfigured, with their skin turning grey and mottled and their flesh sagging from their bones. Undead bones which were exposed to the air often turned a yellowish color. Their tongues were sometimes described as being purple and other times as being black. The stench of rotting Undead was often debilitating to humans and was noticeable immediately following transformation.
In many cases Undead were not decayed much at first. Some Undead would even retain a human appearance. Over time the skin would bruise and blacken, blood vessels would become inflamed, open sores would develop, and finally parts of the body would begin to fall off – especially the lips, nose, and outside of the ears. The exact rate of decay varied wildly from individual to individual. Undead left active for years became even more disfigured, with their skin turning grey and mottled and their flesh sagging from their bones. Undead bones which were exposed to the air often turned a yellowish color. Their tongues were sometimes described as being purple and other times as being black. The stench of rotting Undead was often debilitating to humans and was noticeable immediately following transformation.
Some Undead did not display any of the visible symptoms typically associated with their state. The first two pictures are of Lisa Broward, the third picture is of Anna Bolt, and the final picture is of JD.
Because Undead were created from corpses they had qualities not typically seen in living animals. Their blood no longer flowed and would coagulate (becoming thick and black) and when injured they would bleed very little. Undead were described as dry, withered husks in the original movie’s screenplay.
Undead no longer had fully functioning lungs and no longer required oxygen to survive. This allowed them to survive underwater and underground. In lieu of oxygen or nutrition Undead survived solely on a constant electric charge. This is similar in theory to how applying electricity to a corpse may cause the muscles to move – the Undead body is pulled along by the brain like a marionette by shocking the limbs.
Some Undead made breathing noises, but this was likely just an instinctual action without any actual benefit. In such cases the breath of undead was described as smelling terrible. This is compounded by them having had “rank and fetid saliva”. The reason for this and their characteristic rotten teeth may have been Undead experiencing acid reflux.
Undead were also said to no longer blink, which would suggest some damage to the globus pallidus - the part of the brain containing the nerve cells responsible for blinking.
Undead no longer had fully functioning lungs and no longer required oxygen to survive. This allowed them to survive underwater and underground. In lieu of oxygen or nutrition Undead survived solely on a constant electric charge. This is similar in theory to how applying electricity to a corpse may cause the muscles to move – the Undead body is pulled along by the brain like a marionette by shocking the limbs.
Some Undead made breathing noises, but this was likely just an instinctual action without any actual benefit. In such cases the breath of undead was described as smelling terrible. This is compounded by them having had “rank and fetid saliva”. The reason for this and their characteristic rotten teeth may have been Undead experiencing acid reflux.
Undead were also said to no longer blink, which would suggest some damage to the globus pallidus - the part of the brain containing the nerve cells responsible for blinking.
Undead lacked any discernable body heat. This made them invisible to thermal imaging (screenplays for the first movie, Extinction, and Afterlife, and Apocalypse novelization). This was seemingly contradicted in The Final Chapter as a large crowd of Undead were shown to have a heat signature. This signature could somehow be caused by the large clouds of dust the Undead army was kicking up; or the Undead were beginning to become more and more “alive” as the virus mutated.
Undead pain receptors were also inactive. They did not feel temperature and did not experience any sort of fatigue. This made Undead impossible to debilitate, incapacitate, or even deter through pain (although trauma to the body could potentially cause them to lose balance and fall over). Undead would sometimes wear down their hands and feet into nubs due to constant usage or damage their bodies by ramming into obstacles with too much force. Undead did retain the sense of sight (although it was diminished), smell, hearing, and even taste.
Undead pain receptors were also inactive. They did not feel temperature and did not experience any sort of fatigue. This made Undead impossible to debilitate, incapacitate, or even deter through pain (although trauma to the body could potentially cause them to lose balance and fall over). Undead would sometimes wear down their hands and feet into nubs due to constant usage or damage their bodies by ramming into obstacles with too much force. Undead did retain the sense of sight (although it was diminished), smell, hearing, and even taste.
Due to a combination of necrosis, the brain not fully reactivating, and them being “powered only by electrical impulses fed to dead tissue”, Undead had simple motor functions, very little memory, and only rudimentary intelligence (while the Red Queen claimed they had “virtually no intelligence”, this was later discovered to be a misconception). Loss of fine motor control caused Undead movements to be slow, jerky, and clumsy, and Undead lacked the coordination to run, swim (although they could walk along the bottom of a body of water; Afterlife screenplay) or maintain a consistent balance. Their movements have been described as “stiff and lizard-like" and caused by “little more than sheer reflex” (Retribution novelization) They could however lunge at potential prey at surprising speeds when they were within range. “Fresh” Undead were often somewhat faster and stronger than “old” Undead.
Without intelligence, Undead were driven solely by the instinct to feed on uninfected flesh. They were incapable of articulating speech and would instead moan when idle and growl, snarl, hiss, keen, and shriek when in pursuit of prey. Undead would attempt to hold prey down when biting them and in the original screenplay would even attempt to choke prey. An Undead police officer also attempted to choke L.J. in Extinction.
Without intelligence, Undead were driven solely by the instinct to feed on uninfected flesh. They were incapable of articulating speech and would instead moan when idle and growl, snarl, hiss, keen, and shriek when in pursuit of prey. Undead would attempt to hold prey down when biting them and in the original screenplay would even attempt to choke prey. An Undead police officer also attempted to choke L.J. in Extinction.
There were some instances of Undead retaining some tiny remains of memory, even years following their transformation. The Undead Lisa Broward reacted tenderly towards her former brother Mike for a split second before attacking him; the Undead Todd hesitated for a brief moment before devouring his “wife” as well. Some Undead would grab and carry objects they held in life (like axes or purses) but were incapable of actually using tools and weapons. Most Undead did seem to be capable of operating a door handle, likely a result of muscle memory. Undead also recognized planes, “knowing instinctually that fresh meat has arrived” (Afterlife screenplay). While most memories seemed to be lost, they were in fact mainly dormant and could be elucidated, possibly by repairing damaged synapses in the brain (see “Super Undead” below).
While Undead lacked intelligence they did seem to retain some emotion. In the original screenplay one actually smiled before taking a bite out of J.D., as did the Undead Callan Williams in the The Final Chapter novelization. Undead would get angry and unruly when prey was out of reach, going so far as to jump into the air to try and reach them. At the sight of prey Undead would sometimes lick their lips and their jaws would drop in anticipation of feeding.
While Undead lacked intelligence they did seem to retain some emotion. In the original screenplay one actually smiled before taking a bite out of J.D., as did the Undead Callan Williams in the The Final Chapter novelization. Undead would get angry and unruly when prey was out of reach, going so far as to jump into the air to try and reach them. At the sight of prey Undead would sometimes lick their lips and their jaws would drop in anticipation of feeding.
If Wesker’s thoughts on the virus somehow having intelligence were to be taken seriously, it may be that Undead were only as intelligent as the T-Cells controlling them, being nothing more than puppets pulled along by another organism. If this is the case then their low intelligence could be attributed to them being driven by a microorganism, with the T-Cells hijacking what remained of the brain and using it to imitate human intelligence to an extremely limited degree by accessing the remnants of the host’s memories.
It has also been suggested (Retribution and The Final Chapter novelizations) that the original human consciousness was somewhat intact in the Undead. This consciousness was unable to control its own body, similar to how Matt could not control the Nemesis body. Yet this consciousness was still aware of the body's actions and capable of experiencing some kind of pain. While Undead do not tire, the consciousness suffers from the fatigue of being kept awake at all times. It may even feel the process of rotting and the pain inflicted on Undead bodies by human survivors. In this sense the host is kept “alive” to some extent, yet only as a “remnant trapped in an ambulatory corpse”; a “spark” at the “cellular level”.
As the pineal gland is stated to be the “command center” for the virus in Undead it may be that the host is left in a sleepwalking-like state. The primary function of the pineal gland is the secretion of melatonin, and melatonin regulates the sleep-wake cycle. If the human consciousness of undead is left in a sleep-like state, the mind would be more open to “suggestion” by the virus (assuming the virus is a living parasitic organism). The idea that the virus caused violent tendencies inherent to the human mind to surface and overcome the ego is also supported by this, as a person stuck in a dream state would more likely display hidden desires and subconscious thoughts more openly.
It has also been suggested (Retribution and The Final Chapter novelizations) that the original human consciousness was somewhat intact in the Undead. This consciousness was unable to control its own body, similar to how Matt could not control the Nemesis body. Yet this consciousness was still aware of the body's actions and capable of experiencing some kind of pain. While Undead do not tire, the consciousness suffers from the fatigue of being kept awake at all times. It may even feel the process of rotting and the pain inflicted on Undead bodies by human survivors. In this sense the host is kept “alive” to some extent, yet only as a “remnant trapped in an ambulatory corpse”; a “spark” at the “cellular level”.
As the pineal gland is stated to be the “command center” for the virus in Undead it may be that the host is left in a sleepwalking-like state. The primary function of the pineal gland is the secretion of melatonin, and melatonin regulates the sleep-wake cycle. If the human consciousness of undead is left in a sleep-like state, the mind would be more open to “suggestion” by the virus (assuming the virus is a living parasitic organism). The idea that the virus caused violent tendencies inherent to the human mind to surface and overcome the ego is also supported by this, as a person stuck in a dream state would more likely display hidden desires and subconscious thoughts more openly.
Rain and Spence as Undead
Undead were generally very animalistic and were even called “animals” driven by instinct by Isaacs. They would tear meat from human bones in a manner compared to wild dogs. They often used their nails to tear at flesh and bent their fingers like claws. A single scratch from the Undead was enough to spread the virus. Undead also made very feral, animalistic sounds.
Undead behavior was influenced significantly by the sight and smell of blood, which Undead were drawn to. Like sharks, the presence of blood on human victims sent Undead into a frenzy. Frenzied Undead would move faster and would grab more frantically at potential prey. Undead were “maddened” by the close presence of humans, especially when starved for a long period of time. Undead were also drawn to sound. This could have been a result of their poor eyesight forcing their hearing to adapt and become more focused. Undead were capable of smelling living human flesh/blood. When one Undead detected the presence of human flesh in a fortress others would join it over time, showing Undead retained some minimal social instincts. If an Undead only had a faint “scent” of a hidden human, it would search for hours before moving on.
When not agitated by the presence of food or loud noises Undead would wander aimlessly without sleeping, since they were immune to fatigue. Environmental activity that did not lead them to more prey was usually ignored, like a ball bouncing amongst them (Afterlife screenplay).
Undead had no sense of fear due to low intelligence, blinding “bloodlust”, and possibly even due to an inner desire for “true death” (Retribution novelization). Their self-preservation instincts were limited or nonexistent aside from the instinct to feed. Undead which were swept up in a current of water did make “instinctive efforts” to thrash out of said water to try and escape it (Retribution novelization).
Despite being driven by hunger, Undead did not actually need to feed. Their intense hunger was not out of necessity but residual instinct. It may also have been to “feed on fresh DNA”. Feeding may also have been to acquire the biomass necessary to regenerate, considering Wesker could also consume others to heal (and Undead were obviously heavily damaged by default). A well fed Undead could have possibly become faster and stronger. Or the T-virus within the Undead would mutate after being exposed to new DNA, causing the host to transform into a Majini Undead (see below) or into a live host like a Licker.
When an Undead lost the use of its mouth it still attempted to attack and kill Jill Valentine in a screenplay for Extinction. This further demonstrates how Undead feeding was based more on instincts than on actual necessity.
Despite being driven by hunger, Undead did not actually need to feed. Their intense hunger was not out of necessity but residual instinct. It may also have been to “feed on fresh DNA”. Feeding may also have been to acquire the biomass necessary to regenerate, considering Wesker could also consume others to heal (and Undead were obviously heavily damaged by default). A well fed Undead could have possibly become faster and stronger. Or the T-virus within the Undead would mutate after being exposed to new DNA, causing the host to transform into a Majini Undead (see below) or into a live host like a Licker.
When an Undead lost the use of its mouth it still attempted to attack and kill Jill Valentine in a screenplay for Extinction. This further demonstrates how Undead feeding was based more on instincts than on actual necessity.
An Undead’s feeding instincts did not extend to other Undead, even after an extended period of time. In fact, Undead would not feed on anyone who had been mutated by the virus to a significant enough degree. When J.D. was killed by dozens of Undead his corpse was left relatively intact. Once the virus got into J.D.’s body and he was killed, they recognized him as Undead and left him alone despite him not turning yet. It is for this reason that the spread of the Undead infection was most lethal in crowds of people: a single Undead could create an army in no time, due to each Undead biting, killing, and leaving behind one person after another, with each killed person transforming immediately into an intact Undead and then doing the same, effectively multiplying their numbers. This was best seen in Umbrella Prime’s test scenarios (Retribution).
The reason Undead preferred to devour the uninfected could be due to reproductive instincts, if it is true the virus is actually a separate organism that puppets the host. Or it could be due to a desire for “fresh DNA” (as was the case with the Licker). While normally passive towards one another Undead would fight to some degree over scraps of food. While Undead would eat uninfected corpses, live food was more attractive to them.
It is unknown if Undead would feed on animal flesh; if they did, then humans were much more attractive to them as prey regardless. One Undead dragged a “half-eaten” deer carcass behind it (Retribution novelization), although this could have been due to some vestige of memory if the Undead used to be a hunter. If the deer was partially eaten by said Undead, then it is likely the T-virus could not infect – or at least could not transform – deer, as the deer corpse did not reanimate.
Undead likely paid no attention to robotics due to them being comprised of inorganic materials. Umbrella used “maintenance bots” to easily dispose of Undead within simulations at Umbrella Prime for this reason (Retribution novelization).
An Undead’s feeding instincts did not extend to other Undead, even after an extended period of time. In fact, Undead would not feed on anyone who had been mutated by the virus to a significant enough degree. When J.D. was killed by dozens of Undead his corpse was left relatively intact. Once the virus got into J.D.’s body and he was killed, they recognized him as Undead and left him alone despite him not turning yet. It is for this reason that the spread of the Undead infection was most lethal in crowds of people: a single Undead could create an army in no time, due to each Undead biting, killing, and leaving behind one person after another, with each killed person transforming immediately into an intact Undead and then doing the same, effectively multiplying their numbers. This was best seen in Umbrella Prime’s test scenarios (Retribution).
The reason Undead preferred to devour the uninfected could be due to reproductive instincts, if it is true the virus is actually a separate organism that puppets the host. Or it could be due to a desire for “fresh DNA” (as was the case with the Licker). While normally passive towards one another Undead would fight to some degree over scraps of food. While Undead would eat uninfected corpses, live food was more attractive to them.
It is unknown if Undead would feed on animal flesh; if they did, then humans were much more attractive to them as prey regardless. One Undead dragged a “half-eaten” deer carcass behind it (Retribution novelization), although this could have been due to some vestige of memory if the Undead used to be a hunter. If the deer was partially eaten by said Undead, then it is likely the T-virus could not infect – or at least could not transform – deer, as the deer corpse did not reanimate.
Undead likely paid no attention to robotics due to them being comprised of inorganic materials. Umbrella used “maintenance bots” to easily dispose of Undead within simulations at Umbrella Prime for this reason (Retribution novelization).
How Undead could tell if someone was infected or not is unknown. It may be the T-virus created some sort of genetic marker that Undead identified infected with and would instinctually ignore (although it is implied that they could sense the virus itself). This marker could have been identified by a mechanism that creates electrical or chemical signals that Undead could sense. The ability of Undead to sense this could mean they developed mind powers like Alice to some extent. This could also explain how Undead buried underground could seemingly tell people were above them. Undead have also been shown to locate hidden human survivors despite having no observable reason to know where they are, simply by being in close enough proximity to them. Over time Undead would congregate around entrances to bunkers and buildings housing humans; following the global T-virus outbreak, survivors were often forced to keep moving in order to survive (while avoiding metropolitan areas entirely due to higher concentrations of Undead in those areas).
Some of the Hive’s employee Undead had bite marks despite every employee having been infected and killed prior to any Undead being created. It may be that in the early stages of infection the genetic marker signaling someone as infected would not be formed yet. It may also have been a result of dermatophagia, which is a disorder where one feels compelled to bite one’s own skin.
Before biting undead would open their jaw so wide it may have been unhinged. This could possibly have been a result of them not feeling the pain that would normally stop them from opening their own mouths too far; or it could have been a preparatory step towards their transformation into Majini (see below).
Undead have been depicted biting through clothes and hazmat suits and straight into the flesh in a single bite. This could have been a result of the muscles surrounding the jaw being strengthened, the rotted teeth actually being stronger, or even Undead biting down with such force as would be too painful for a living creature. The deeper the bite an Undead made the faster the virus spread in a human, due to more virus getting into the bloodstream at once (Extinction screenplay). The general strength of the Undead was improved as well, with an Undead child capable of not only holding down a grown adult but of killing and consuming dozens of other humans (The Final Chapter novelization).
The T-virus could also cause those who were bitten or scratched by Undead to bleed continuously without any way to stop the bleeding (Apocalypse and Extinction novelizations). The virus caused hemorrhaging, like the Ebola Virus, by interfering with the process of blood clotting. This added to the deadliness of Undead bites and scratches; not only because of the risk of bleeding to death, but also because Undead were drawn to the smell and sight of blood. In the original movie’s screenplay, Undead bite marks would bruise and turn a sickly yellow color (like bilirubin, a pigment formed during the final stages of healing. This could have been due to the T-virus actually attempting to heal the bite wounds).
Bite marks left by Undead
As Undead were largely already dead and did not require most major organs to survive, the only way to kill an Undead was to destroy the brain or to separate the brain from the spine. Doing so caused the impulses continually sent by the virus to the brain to “short out”. This could be achieved by severing the top of the spinal column (accomplished by twisting the head until the neck snapped) or by shooting the brain with firearms. In the case of the latter only the active sections of the brain were a fatal weak point, and Undead could survive with some parts of the brain missing (although some brain damage could at least stun Undead). In the case of breaking the neck, only once spinal column was fully severed would the Undead be killed – some Undead survived hanging attempts, while others were almost completely decapitated save for a “rotten strand of nerve fibers” (The Final Chapter novelization) and yet continued moving and attacking prey. Heavily damaging the spine to the point of paralyzation could also kill or at least incapacitate Undead. Undead within Umbrella Prime were said to “drown” (Retribution novelization), although it is more likely that they were instead killed by the intense water pressure causing the facility to implode since Undead do not need to breathe.
While Undead would not starve to death they could be eroded by environmental extremes. This combined with the process of necrosis was theorized to give them a life expectancy of several decades. This was prior to the discovery of the Majini mutation, however, which could alleviate this possibility. In the arid conditions of the Nevada desert Undead became shriveled like mummies and were dubbed “Desert Undead” (Extinction press kit). Undead which were for months trapped in the flooded lower levels of the Citadel Correctional Facility became “grotesquely pale and bloated” (Afterlife screenplay) much like the Javo did.
Desert Undead
Undead could be killed through the use of fire only so long as it managed to burn through the brain itself. Even if Undead were covered in enough fire to kill them it would take time to do so, and in the meantime attacks from the Undead were all the more dangerous as a result of the flames. Older Undead were more susceptible to flames than “fresh” ones due to the body drying up over time.
Some Las Plagas-related creatures were stated to go into a state of hibernation when frozen, allowing Umbrella to transport them safely without killing them (Retribution novelization). It is likely this applied to normal Undead exposed to extreme cold as well.
Undead were only slightly bothered when exposed to electricity. Continued exposure to an electric charge could actually make them more active due to their tissue being dependent on electric charges (Extinction novelization).
In newspapers from the films two Undead were reported to have been shot, mistaken for humans, and brought to the Raccoon Hospital. It was there observed by doctors that their bodies were “inexplicably regenerating at an accelerated pace.” This would seem to imply that Undead were capable of rapidly healing from wounds at least in the areas that were still alive. This regeneration could in fact be the early stages of the transition from Undead to Majini Undead and/or only accomplished by feeding.
A curious side effect of the electrical charge powering Undead movement is that hosts who were paralyzed in life regained full control of the body as Undead. This could also be due to the regenerative effects of the virus, particularly in the Majini strain. One example exists of such an Undead in a clone of Raymond Grady within the Racoon City Suburbia simulation at Umbrella Prime. It is possible the handicap of Grady was only psychosomatic and the result of his implanted memories making him only think he was handicapped. However, Becky, another clone in the same simulation, was genetically engineered to be deaf, and so it is more than likely that the same would be the case for Grady and his condition (Retribution novelization).
According to scrapped dialogue between Alice and Luthor from Afterlife many of the Undead were becoming faster and faster over time, with slow-moving Undead becoming more and more uncommon. This is despite the fact that typically “fresh” Undead were faster than “old” Undead. Alice attributed this to possibly being due to new mutations or to a sort of evolution – as humans became more and more scarce Undead were forced to adapt in order to find and catch the remaining survivors. As Alice put it: “Back when we were plentiful, food was easy to find. They didn’t need to be fast.” This could also be due to regeneration over time, going by the newspaper information stated above. According to interviews for Retribution, the Undead were generally evolving over time due to both the virus itself mutating and due to Umbrella improving them artificially.
In The Final Chapter Umbrella transports would keep humans tethered behind them to serve as bait as they traveled across the country, attracting thousands of Undead and leading them to locations Umbrella wanted them to besiege. These Undead all seemed capable of running. This could mean that by the time of the events of The Final Chapter all Undead had undergone the same mutation described in Afterlife’s cut dialogue. It may also have been due to the Undead being “conditioned due to months of pursuit” (The Final Chapter novelization). This possibly meant that this conditioning not only made the Undead resume following the transports when they continued moving (which implies Undead can actually be trained to an extent so long as food is involved) but that they were capable of improved movement due to the constant pursuit of the transports – like a toddler learning how to stand upright and walk correctly due to continued attempts at doing so.
In The Final Chapter Umbrella transports would keep humans tethered behind them to serve as bait as they traveled across the country, attracting thousands of Undead and leading them to locations Umbrella wanted them to besiege. These Undead all seemed capable of running. This could mean that by the time of the events of The Final Chapter all Undead had undergone the same mutation described in Afterlife’s cut dialogue. It may also have been due to the Undead being “conditioned due to months of pursuit” (The Final Chapter novelization). This possibly meant that this conditioning not only made the Undead resume following the transports when they continued moving (which implies Undead can actually be trained to an extent so long as food is involved) but that they were capable of improved movement due to the constant pursuit of the transports – like a toddler learning how to stand upright and walk correctly due to continued attempts at doing so.
Undead being lured and led by Umbrella transports in The Final Chapter
The following type of Undead only exists in a screenplay for Extinction. In the final movie the Boot Hill Undead were replaced with Undead Crows.
The Desert Trail Motel visited by Claire Redfield’s convoy was discovered to be the site of a "boot hill” (a cemetery from the United States' Wild West period). The cemetery was initially covered up by sand but during the night desert winds uncovered the graves and the infected corpses beneath the ground sensed the nearby survivors and emerged to attack the convoy.
While the T-virus has been shown to resurrect corpses from the Raccoon City cemetery the Desert Trail corpses were likely from the 19th or early 20th century. This would mean that the T-virus not only revives corpses that still have some small measure of leftover activity (as described in the first film) but can also revive corpses that are at least a century old. It may be the virus achieved this due to a new mutation in the wild. The arid conditions of the Nevada Desert preserved the boot hill’s corpses just enough that they were able to reanimate. The boot hill Undead, like the Desert Undead, were completely dry and lacking in any moisture. Their skin was cracked and their bodies were twisted. When injured they produced no blood, and all fleshy parts of the body were replaced with completely desiccated tissue.
Interestingly, boot hill Undead were actually harder to kill than ordinary Undead. According to Alice this was because they were “too far gone”. Destroying almost the entire head and brain was not even enough to kill them. The only way to cease animation was to sever the spinal column. The reason for this is debatable. It may be that they needed to adapt in order to properly reanimate due to their age and to the poor condition of their bodies.
The boot hill Undead did have a very significant weakness, however – due to their bodies being “bone dry” they were extremely susceptible to fire. While normal Undead could survive some time in many instances when they were covered in flames, the boot hill Undead would be consumed by fire very quickly. Alice used this weakness against them and, using her psionic powers, incinerated the whole Desert Trail horde.
Following the onset of the apocalypse the clone of Isaacs leading Umbrella’s Science division attempted to create a cure to the T-virus that surpassed the Anti-Virus. It was hoped this cure could help curb the bloodthirsty instincts of the Undead (as they had no biological need to devour human flesh; they were driven to do so solely by the direct effects of the virus). While it was acknowledged that making Undead human again was impossible, it was hoped that by pacifying them and increasing their intelligence they could be domesticated and used as a docile work force for Umbrella.
To this end Isaacs developed a serum made by combining the Anti-Virus with the blood of clones created from Alice Abernathy. Alice had the ability to produce antibodies to the virus and it was hoped that these antibodies could be used to create a cure. However, no clone managed to reach the level of success Alice did and as such the serum did not fully alleviate the symptoms of the virus. Instead, the serum transformed normal Undead into “Super Undead”, a name coined by Dr. Howard Margolin, a researcher who helped develop and mass produce the Alice serum (Extinction novelization). Isaacs saw value in these creatures as soldiers and in completing the Tyrant Program. He produced 36 of them using Desert Undead, and they were all wiped out during their use to ambush Claire Redfield’s convoy.
The Alice serum was injected directly into the “spinal cortex” of Undead through the back of the neck. This caused the Undead extreme discomfort and pain, despite the Undead not having active pain receptors (Extinction screenplay). It may be that Undead pain receptors are merely numbed and that extremely severe pain - like that associated with widespread mutation - can still trigger them. It is also possible that receptors near the spine are still active.
To this end Isaacs developed a serum made by combining the Anti-Virus with the blood of clones created from Alice Abernathy. Alice had the ability to produce antibodies to the virus and it was hoped that these antibodies could be used to create a cure. However, no clone managed to reach the level of success Alice did and as such the serum did not fully alleviate the symptoms of the virus. Instead, the serum transformed normal Undead into “Super Undead”, a name coined by Dr. Howard Margolin, a researcher who helped develop and mass produce the Alice serum (Extinction novelization). Isaacs saw value in these creatures as soldiers and in completing the Tyrant Program. He produced 36 of them using Desert Undead, and they were all wiped out during their use to ambush Claire Redfield’s convoy.
The Alice serum was injected directly into the “spinal cortex” of Undead through the back of the neck. This caused the Undead extreme discomfort and pain, despite the Undead not having active pain receptors (Extinction screenplay). It may be that Undead pain receptors are merely numbed and that extremely severe pain - like that associated with widespread mutation - can still trigger them. It is also possible that receptors near the spine are still active.
A "Desert Undead" being injected with the Alice serum.
The negative symptoms displayed in Undead were somewhat alleviated by the Alice serum; the effects of these symptoms were even partially reversed. The enhanced regenerative potential of the virus allowed Super Undead to reclaim their fine motor control and a great deal of intelligence. They displayed greatly improved emotion, dexterity and reasoning skills, and residual memories in the Undead’s minds were elucidated. They were curious and thoughtful, recognizing and examining objects such as a camera and a phone with great delight. Despite this their intelligence was roughly on the level of a very young child: they could not speak and failed to even completely line up simple shapes in a block puzzle used for toddlers. They also possessed the impatience and volatility of a young child.
Super Undead’s desire to devour uninfected flesh was somewhat curbed thanks to Alice’s similar ability to resist this symptom, but only while in a passive state. When a Super Undead became agitated or angry (which was very easy to accomplish) they lost some coordination and reverted back to typical Undead behavior, albeit with greater intelligence and even more savagery in their attacks. It may be that Super Undead “lost control” of the virus in the same sense Wesker would when he was angered (The Final Chapter novelization).
While primarily using their hands and teeth to attack, Super Undead could also throw objects. In an Extinction screenplay they used objects to try and pry open doors. They could adapt their behavior in combat as the need arose and even practiced some degree of self-preservation, dodging strikes from a melee weapon. Rather than moaning, Super Undead expressed their rage through inhuman howling and screaming. One Super Undead actually recognized Isaacs as its tormentor following its release during the convoy attack. It not only ignored the immediate human targets in front of it but actually tracked Isaacs down and attacked him as revenge.
Super Undead’s desire to devour uninfected flesh was somewhat curbed thanks to Alice’s similar ability to resist this symptom, but only while in a passive state. When a Super Undead became agitated or angry (which was very easy to accomplish) they lost some coordination and reverted back to typical Undead behavior, albeit with greater intelligence and even more savagery in their attacks. It may be that Super Undead “lost control” of the virus in the same sense Wesker would when he was angered (The Final Chapter novelization).
While primarily using their hands and teeth to attack, Super Undead could also throw objects. In an Extinction screenplay they used objects to try and pry open doors. They could adapt their behavior in combat as the need arose and even practiced some degree of self-preservation, dodging strikes from a melee weapon. Rather than moaning, Super Undead expressed their rage through inhuman howling and screaming. One Super Undead actually recognized Isaacs as its tormentor following its release during the convoy attack. It not only ignored the immediate human targets in front of it but actually tracked Isaacs down and attacked him as revenge.
A Super Undead in a testing environment displaying human-like behavior and intelligence. This scene was possibly inspired by George A. Romero's Day of the Dead.
Not only did Super Undead reclaim their motor control, speed, agility, and climbing abilities from their time as humans, but their strength was actually amplified beyond the ability of any human. This is similar to Alice, whose strength was increased due to her adapting to the virus. An attack from a Super Undead was almost always fatal: they could tear a human in half, decapitate them, or maul them into a bloody pulp within seconds. They could even rend steel, tearing apart a news truck with ease and destroying restraints with a single tug. A strike from the hand of a Super Undead was capable of cracking bullet-proof glass. Even a single bite from a Super Undead was made with such force as to render a person unconscious from the pain (Extinction novelization). Their speed was also described as being greater than that of humans (Extinction screenplay).
Despite these strengths, Super Undead had the same weakness to head and neck wounds that normal Undead had. As a result of their healed nervous systems, Super Undead also seem to feel some degree of pain. This seemed to vary from individual to individual, with some being stunned from knife wounds while others did not react to being shot at all. These repairs could explain why Undead experienced discomfort when injected with the Alice serum in the first place, with the serum instantaneously causing pain receptors to reactivate.
Despite these strengths, Super Undead had the same weakness to head and neck wounds that normal Undead had. As a result of their healed nervous systems, Super Undead also seem to feel some degree of pain. This seemed to vary from individual to individual, with some being stunned from knife wounds while others did not react to being shot at all. These repairs could explain why Undead experienced discomfort when injected with the Alice serum in the first place, with the serum instantaneously causing pain receptors to reactivate.
Super Undead had some minor differences in their appearance when compared to normal Undead. The boosted regenerative effects of the virus caused overdeveloped tissue to form, creating pustules and boils across the surface of Super Undead skin. Their eyes turned black immediately following injection of the Alice serum. While at first glance these eyes may have resembled dilated pupils, the entire eye actually changed into a single dark color, including the sclera. It may be that some kind of dark liquid filled the eye, similar to blood flooding bloodshot eyes, is responsible for this change. Super Undead eyes were the opposite in appearance to normal Undead ones – pitch black instead of milky white. Some individuals had eyes partially covered up by growths, which likely harmed their eyesight.
Due to being test subjects all of the Super Undead deployed in Vegas wore matching jumpsuits and all males were shaved bald.
Due to being test subjects all of the Super Undead deployed in Vegas wore matching jumpsuits and all males were shaved bald.
Sometime after the T-virus destroyed most of the human race, many Undead eventually transformed into even deadlier creatures. These “Majini Undead” (also referred to as “Burrowing Undead” in an Afterlife screenplay) were the result of a new, wild mutation (as implied in the same screenplay). Considering the quantity of them in spots around the entire United States, this new development does not seem to have been a random, isolated mutation; rather it seems to have been a natural progression of T-virus infection. Since humans who were infected by Majini Undead also became Majini, it appears the T-virus itself changed.
The reasons for this change could be one of the following (or a combination of several):
1. The Majini symptom could have been an inherent effect of the T-virus that became more and more common as the virus mutated naturally in the wild. This is supported by the fact more and more Undead seemingly became Majini and that unrelated hosts such as Wesker also developed Majini traits. In this case Super Undead could have actually been Undead whose evolution into Majini was sped up/forced thanks to Alice’s blood.
2. After consuming “fresh DNA” the virus inside of Majini Undead may have mutated. This would be similar to the mutations seen in a fed Licker.
3. They could have been the result of an outside T-virus strain that infects Undead and strengthens them. This strain could have spread throughout the air and quickly infected Undead in different areas. This strain could have been a new, random mutation that appeared while the T-virus was in the wild, or it could have been a strain manufactured and released by Umbrella for the purpose of killing off the remainder of humanity.
4. As Undead have been stated to erode over time, it may be that the Majini mutation was an environmental adaptation to allow Undead to operate for longer. Their enhanced speed would also be an adaptation to food becoming scarcer and scarcer. This is supported by the Afterlife screenplay, where Undead were stated to be becoming faster and faster as a result of outside factors.
5. The Majini Undead mutation could have actually been an isolated, random mutation native to the Los Angeles area. The reason for this mutation being seen in Washington DC and Russia could have been due to Umbrella seizing this strain for use in its attacks on the remaining human settlements.
The reasons for this change could be one of the following (or a combination of several):
1. The Majini symptom could have been an inherent effect of the T-virus that became more and more common as the virus mutated naturally in the wild. This is supported by the fact more and more Undead seemingly became Majini and that unrelated hosts such as Wesker also developed Majini traits. In this case Super Undead could have actually been Undead whose evolution into Majini was sped up/forced thanks to Alice’s blood.
2. After consuming “fresh DNA” the virus inside of Majini Undead may have mutated. This would be similar to the mutations seen in a fed Licker.
3. They could have been the result of an outside T-virus strain that infects Undead and strengthens them. This strain could have spread throughout the air and quickly infected Undead in different areas. This strain could have been a new, random mutation that appeared while the T-virus was in the wild, or it could have been a strain manufactured and released by Umbrella for the purpose of killing off the remainder of humanity.
4. As Undead have been stated to erode over time, it may be that the Majini mutation was an environmental adaptation to allow Undead to operate for longer. Their enhanced speed would also be an adaptation to food becoming scarcer and scarcer. This is supported by the Afterlife screenplay, where Undead were stated to be becoming faster and faster as a result of outside factors.
5. The Majini Undead mutation could have actually been an isolated, random mutation native to the Los Angeles area. The reason for this mutation being seen in Washington DC and Russia could have been due to Umbrella seizing this strain for use in its attacks on the remaining human settlements.
Like Super Undead, Majini Undead were stronger, faster, and smarter than normal Undead. They were not at all clumsy and had enough coordination to run, crawl and swim at speeds exceeding those of a human. They could climb to their feet after being knocked over almost instantly. Their strength appeared to be far greater than human strength as well, with Majini being capable of lifting and dragging humans with ease and breaking through concrete structures over time. Whether or not they reached the same level of physical enhancements as Super Undead is unknown – while they had a hard time breaking through a barricaded door, they also had enough strength to tear out a human spine in a single thrust (Retribution novelization).
The behavior of Majini indicated that they were intelligent hunters. Rather than killing and eating humans on the spot they would drag them underground or underwater. They displayed tactics that resembled guerrilla warfare, picking off armed humans one at a time and capturing them to devour them in secure locations. One Majini hid inside of a closet and did not emerge until its prey came within grabbing distance. This implies some degree of caution and self-preservation. While Super Undead were very intelligent, their increased rage prevented them from displaying much calculated behavior – yet while Majini were more cautious, they also lacked the ferocity of Super Undead. This intelligent behavior was not universal amongst Majini however, with some individuals using the same monotonous attacks as normal Undead. This could imply that Majini intelligence varied wildly from individual-to-individual. Majini never seemed to moan and exclusively made animalistic noises.
Majini were intelligent enough to dig underneath the Citadel Correctional Facility in order to breach it from below, while their Undead cousins were only smart enough to surround it and bang on its gates. While normal Undead were able to impressively dig upwards from within graves, Majini were able to form long and spacious tunnels like those created by ants. Their senses were not hindered by the pitch darkness of the tunnels they created. When Majini were trapped in a room or blocked off from prey by barricades they simply dug through the walls. Other Majini lacked the ability to even use a stepladder to pursue prey.
The behavior of Majini indicated that they were intelligent hunters. Rather than killing and eating humans on the spot they would drag them underground or underwater. They displayed tactics that resembled guerrilla warfare, picking off armed humans one at a time and capturing them to devour them in secure locations. One Majini hid inside of a closet and did not emerge until its prey came within grabbing distance. This implies some degree of caution and self-preservation. While Super Undead were very intelligent, their increased rage prevented them from displaying much calculated behavior – yet while Majini were more cautious, they also lacked the ferocity of Super Undead. This intelligent behavior was not universal amongst Majini however, with some individuals using the same monotonous attacks as normal Undead. This could imply that Majini intelligence varied wildly from individual-to-individual. Majini never seemed to moan and exclusively made animalistic noises.
Majini were intelligent enough to dig underneath the Citadel Correctional Facility in order to breach it from below, while their Undead cousins were only smart enough to surround it and bang on its gates. While normal Undead were able to impressively dig upwards from within graves, Majini were able to form long and spacious tunnels like those created by ants. Their senses were not hindered by the pitch darkness of the tunnels they created. When Majini were trapped in a room or blocked off from prey by barricades they simply dug through the walls. Other Majini lacked the ability to even use a stepladder to pursue prey.
Majini Undead were visibly almost indistinguishable from regular Undead. The only apparent change in appearance was in a slight change in the eyes. While the iris remained decayed and milky white, the pupils of Majini became dark again. This could be the result of the eye regenerating to some extent, giving Majini better vision. This regeneration could extend to internal damage as well, which would explain the speed, strength, and intelligence of Majini when compared to regular Undead. In the novelization for The Final Chapter the eyes of a Majini Undead were instead described as being “feral yellow”. The skin of Majini remained sagged, torn, and colorless.
Majini Undead did not seem to react to pain as much as Super Undead, although there were some instances of them reacting to broken bones. They often broke their fingers through nonstop digging (Afterlife screenplay).
Majini Undead did not seem to react to pain as much as Super Undead, although there were some instances of them reacting to broken bones. They often broke their fingers through nonstop digging (Afterlife screenplay).
Besides being deadlier in general, Majini Undead most noticeably developed long mandibles that resembled stems of coral or the petals of a flower (also called “Majini tentacles” in the Retribution screenplay and novelization; they were described as “tentacular” in The Final Chapter novelization). Four mandibles developed in each Majini which were stored inside the mouth. The mandibles were varied in color and were joined at the center by a circular mouth with sharp teeth. The mandibles were actually the heavily mutated tongues of the Undead (like how Licker tongues were enlarged and sprouted barbs). When biting prey, a Majini’s “tongue” would extend from the mouth, giving it greater biting distance. Each of the 4 mandibles were approximately 7 inches long (Retribution novelization) and a Majini could easily wrap them around a human's head to hold them in place as it ate them with the newly developed sharp teeth, or to bind them as the Majini transported them. The mandibles started their journey through the mouth by coming up the throat and were so large that the mouth was partially ripped open to make room for their emergence (Retribution novelization).
Majini mandibles were incredibly flexible and strong and carried razor-sharp teeth on each end. The mandibles were able to easily crack bone and tear through protective clothing, which allowed Majini to completely devour their prey (whereas normal Undead would only be able to eat around the bone). The mandibles made a sort of crackling sound as they moved, and were wet, sticky, and dripping with “blood and sputum” (Retribution novelization). The growling and roaring of Majini became much deeper when they had their mandibles out. A Majini’s mandibles would go limp when it was slain.
Besides being deadlier in general, Majini Undead most noticeably developed long mandibles that resembled stems of coral or the petals of a flower (also called “Majini tentacles” in the Retribution screenplay and novelization; they were described as “tentacular” in The Final Chapter novelization). Four mandibles developed in each Majini which were stored inside the mouth. The mandibles were varied in color and were joined at the center by a circular mouth with sharp teeth. The mandibles were actually the heavily mutated tongues of the Undead (like how Licker tongues were enlarged and sprouted barbs). When biting prey, a Majini’s “tongue” would extend from the mouth, giving it greater biting distance. Each of the 4 mandibles were approximately 7 inches long (Retribution novelization) and a Majini could easily wrap them around a human's head to hold them in place as it ate them with the newly developed sharp teeth, or to bind them as the Majini transported them. The mandibles started their journey through the mouth by coming up the throat and were so large that the mouth was partially ripped open to make room for their emergence (Retribution novelization).
Majini mandibles were incredibly flexible and strong and carried razor-sharp teeth on each end. The mandibles were able to easily crack bone and tear through protective clothing, which allowed Majini to completely devour their prey (whereas normal Undead would only be able to eat around the bone). The mandibles made a sort of crackling sound as they moved, and were wet, sticky, and dripping with “blood and sputum” (Retribution novelization). The growling and roaring of Majini became much deeper when they had their mandibles out. A Majini’s mandibles would go limp when it was slain.
Majini mandibles were also used as sensory organs (Afterlife screenplay and Retribution). When potential prey was hiding from a Majini it could use its mandibles to “sniff” the air by waving them to determine their exact location. This is similar to how some animals, like snakes, use their tongues to smell. Lickers are sometimes said to use their tongues this way as well. While a Majini used its nose to smell by default the heightened sense of smell possessed by its mandibles was more useful in narrowing down faint smells. Like the rest of a Majini’s body the mandibles did not appear to feel pain, although on one occasion they were forced to retract when a Majini was kneed in the throat (Retribution novelization).
The ability of Majini mandibles to extend the Undead’s reach, crack bone, and sense hidden targets could imply the mandibles were an adaptive mutation in response to human prey became more and more scarce.
The ability of Majini mandibles to extend the Undead’s reach, crack bone, and sense hidden targets could imply the mandibles were an adaptive mutation in response to human prey became more and more scarce.
Humans who transformed into Majini Undead due to being attacked by other Majini retained their human appearance (at least at first), like some rare Undead such as Lisa Broward, but had the same mandibles. This along with the abilities and appearance of other Majini Undead suggests that the mutated virus is not as damaging to the host. With the necrosis symptom being lessened the body would not break down at the same pace and the host’s cells could mutate and heal at a more effective level. These new mutations would include the mandibles.
In the novelization for Retribution Majini Undead were described as being more unintelligent, slower, and clumsier than their depiction in the films. In this depiction their capabilities were essentially the same as those of normal Undead, besides the ability to sprout mandibles. There were instances where they would display bursts of speed, however.
The “J-Pop” Majini Undead pointed at Alice before attacking her in the screenplay and novelization for Retribution. Other Majini responded to this gesture, indicating Majini may have enhanced social instincts. Pointing is a learned behavior, not an instinctual one, so this also implies that Majini have enhanced memory retention. Majini are sometimes described as moving in “packs” as well.
Despite Majini Undead having the same vitality as normal Undead one died after being impaled on a banister, with no discernable head wound (Retribution). It may be that said Undead was killed by the maintenance bots used to clear out Umbrella Prime simulations.
In the Afterlife screenplay one Majini Undead was described as being “giant” and completely blocking off a subterranean tunnel. This Majini could have simply been a naturally large individual in life, or a unique mutation.
“Majini” is Swahili for “Evil Spirit” and was adapted from the Majini creatures seen in Resident Evil 5.
The Javo was a unique Undead creature that lived in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. It was eventually killed by Alice at a bunker, where she managed to decapitate it.
The Javo had Majini Undead mandibles, indicating it was either a Majini that mutated further or a different mutation that displayed similar symptoms. It is unknown if the sole Javo depicted was a totally unique case or if it was perhaps the next stage in the Undead lifecycle. The latter is supported by the word “J’avo” being Serbian for “evil spirit” or “demon”, which is the same meaning behind the name “Majini”. It may be that the Undead would continue to mutate indefinitely in the wild and that Isaacs’ prediction that they would die after several decades (Extinction) could have been proven false due to the Undead constantly adapting. It is also possible that the Javo was simply a result of a Majini feeding on “fresh DNA”. It could even be that feeding on DNA allows Undead to advance in their “natural” lifecycle.
The Javo had nearly identical abilities to those of a Majini Undead. It could run, and practiced caution when it stalked Alice and attempted to attack her stealthily. It seemed to use the Reflecting Pool in order to ambush human survivors who walked by or who were drawn to the pool by the prospect of drinking water. Alice pondered the possibility that the Javo was even smarter than Majini, being capable of purposefully concealing its movements as it shadowed her and hiding when her back was not turned. Alice also wondered if perhaps it fled back into the Reflecting Pool by the sound of an air raid siren, which it saw as a safe haven in the same way that Majini saw their tunnels underneath the Citadel Correctional Facility as safe. This would imply the Javo retained a sense of fear (The Final Chapter novelization).
One of the only actual biological differences in the Javo was the development of additional eyes across the forehead. In The Final Chapter film all of these additional eyes were closed and barely noticeable; but in The Final Chapter novelization they were open and active. In the novel the skin surrounding the eyes was red and sore as if it had peeled away in order for the eyes to emerge from beneath the face. The eyes were described as being spread across the face in clusters, like acne. The original eyes were described as being rounded with small pupils and irises filled with tiny specks of yellow.
These eyes may have been an adaptation in response to Undead having poor vision. These enhancements to vision are similar to how Majini mandibles granted enhanced olfactory abilities to the Undead. The Javo also had blue-violet veins that were clearly visible from the outside of the skin.
These eyes may have been an adaptation in response to Undead having poor vision. These enhancements to vision are similar to how Majini mandibles granted enhanced olfactory abilities to the Undead. The Javo also had blue-violet veins that were clearly visible from the outside of the skin.
The only known Javo was swollen and disfigured by its spending days, weeks, or even months underwater. This is described in great detail by The Final Chapter novelization:
The Javo had slimy flesh softened by the water, and the skin and muscle surrounding its bones had decayed into a slimy soap-like substance. When Alice held onto its wrists its flesh sloughed away under her hands, making it near impossible for her to maintain a grip on it. When she clawed at it its meat easily came off until only bone remained. The Javo actually responded to this and attempted to make Alice stop, as if it could feel pain. When Alice kicked the belly of the Javo her foot sunk into its body, being submerged in its “watery guts”, and her foot managed to connect to its spine. Even after its head was mostly decapitated and swung over its back the Javo was still able to locate Alice and continue attacking her.
The Javo was so disfigured that Alice couldn’t even tell what gender the host had been. The stench it gave off was even worse than that of normal Undead, like a mixture of stagnant water and rotten flesh. The sounds it made were like those of a wild beast, rather than those of something that had once been human (The Final Chapter novelization).
The Javo had slimy flesh softened by the water, and the skin and muscle surrounding its bones had decayed into a slimy soap-like substance. When Alice held onto its wrists its flesh sloughed away under her hands, making it near impossible for her to maintain a grip on it. When she clawed at it its meat easily came off until only bone remained. The Javo actually responded to this and attempted to make Alice stop, as if it could feel pain. When Alice kicked the belly of the Javo her foot sunk into its body, being submerged in its “watery guts”, and her foot managed to connect to its spine. Even after its head was mostly decapitated and swung over its back the Javo was still able to locate Alice and continue attacking her.
The Javo was so disfigured that Alice couldn’t even tell what gender the host had been. The stench it gave off was even worse than that of normal Undead, like a mixture of stagnant water and rotten flesh. The sounds it made were like those of a wild beast, rather than those of something that had once been human (The Final Chapter novelization).
It may be that the Javo mutation did actually grant enhanced strength and speed to the host, and that the Javo Alice fought was merely weakened too much by water damage for any enhancements to make a difference.
The game counterpart to the Javo were the J’avo in Resident Evil 6.
The game counterpart to the Javo were the J’avo in Resident Evil 6.
Dogs were also susceptible to T-virus infection. A dog which inhaled the virus, devoured infected flesh, or was simply attacked by Undead would transform into an Undead dog (also referred to as “mutant dogs”). Like humans they would be driven by the desire to devour the flesh and blood of the uninfected. Most Undead dogs seen in the series were Doberman pinchers. Eight Dobermans were kept as Hive guard dogs (the Genesis novelization also includes the possibility that they were kept as test subjects, which is supported by the presence of Doberman bioweapons at the Hive’s perimeter in The Final Chapter) and the Racoon City Police K9 units were comprised of Dobermans. All of these dogs became infected with the lethal strain of the T-virus and displayed similar symptoms. Undead Belgian Malinois were also kept as pets by deranged survivors at the KLKB TV Station in Salt Lake City (Extinction).
Like Undead humans, Undead dogs had glazed eyes and rotten flesh. They seemed to develop these symptoms at a much faster pace than humans: while the Undead humans around them only had pale skin, dogs were already losing their skin. Dog internal organs were also just as damaged as human ones. Despite this, dogs retained their intelligence, pack instincts, speed and agility.
For whatever reason, while dog tissue degraded faster the brain was left mostly operational. This left their fine motor control and mental capacity fully intact. Isaacs described them as “fully functional” and capable of doing anything a living dog could do, despite lacking operating organs like lungs. Dogs were smart enough to go for alternative entrances to locked rooms, which Undead humans lacked the sense of awareness and adaptability to do. It was this attribute that inspired Isaacs to attempt to domesticate human Undead, as these dog abilities showed that Undead brains had hope for retaining memory and thought (Extinction novelization).
An Undead dog’s damaged eyes were easily supplemented by their other, naturally strong senses. Undead dogs even reacted to the smell of gas from a stove.
For whatever reason, while dog tissue degraded faster the brain was left mostly operational. This left their fine motor control and mental capacity fully intact. Isaacs described them as “fully functional” and capable of doing anything a living dog could do, despite lacking operating organs like lungs. Dogs were smart enough to go for alternative entrances to locked rooms, which Undead humans lacked the sense of awareness and adaptability to do. It was this attribute that inspired Isaacs to attempt to domesticate human Undead, as these dog abilities showed that Undead brains had hope for retaining memory and thought (Extinction novelization).
An Undead dog’s damaged eyes were easily supplemented by their other, naturally strong senses. Undead dogs even reacted to the smell of gas from a stove.
Undead Belgian Malinois
Due to lessened pain and increased aggressiveness infected dogs would bite through the mesh of their cages to get to food, cutting their mouths in the process. On one occasion Undead dogs whimpered after knocking into each other, which may mean that they retained at least some sense of pain. Unlike human Undead electricity did seem to stun or even hurt Undead dogs. Undead dog strength seemed to be greater than normal, as they could easily pull over a support beam or almost instantly tear off human limbs.
Like all Undead, dogs ignored those who were already infected in most cases, like Angela. They not only attacked humans but also other, uninfected dogs (like Paco, from an Extinction screenplay).
It would appear that an Undead dog’s brain needed to be destroyed or severed from the body to kill it, like Undead humans. Alice managed to kill one by hitting it on a weak point on the neck, which may have managed to break the neck and sever the top of the spinal column.
Adjule were Undead dogs encountered on the Arcadia which were seemingly controlled by Albert Wesker. Adjule at first appeared to be normal Undead Dobermans with the same appearance and physical attributes. The only actual difference was that Adjule had the ability to split their head open, revealing an inner mouth with many enlarged teeth. The center of this inner mouth possessed a circular mouth part similar to that seen in the center of Majini Undead mandibles. Each side of the split head, which resembled two mandibles, still used the original eyes to see, giving Adjule the ability to look to their sides and to their backs while facing forward. Part of the brain was visible within the newly developed mandibles/mouth. In a screenplay for Afterlife Adjule were capable of sprouting tentacles from their inner mouth, which they used to both subdue and choke Alice.
Adjule could have been infected with the strain of the virus that created Majini Undead, with the inner mouth being the equivalent of Majini mandibles. Adjule could have also been a separate, unique, wild mutation. Adjule could have alternatively been bioweapons created by genetically modifying dogs with the virus, with the main improvement besides the mouth being the ability to be controlled. If they were a natural mutation and not an engineered one, then Wesker controlling them could have been a result of mind powers granted to him by his infection. This is supported by Wesker seemingly giving them orders without speaking, like making them block Alice from picking up her gun or telling them exactly when to attack. It is also possible that Adjule retained their training from their time spent before their infection.
The Adjule were actually never named. The name “Adjule” comes from the Resident Evil 5 dog monsters the Afterlife dogs were an adaptation from. In the absence of an official name this analysis uses “Adjule” as a placeholder.
Adjule could have been infected with the strain of the virus that created Majini Undead, with the inner mouth being the equivalent of Majini mandibles. Adjule could have also been a separate, unique, wild mutation. Adjule could have alternatively been bioweapons created by genetically modifying dogs with the virus, with the main improvement besides the mouth being the ability to be controlled. If they were a natural mutation and not an engineered one, then Wesker controlling them could have been a result of mind powers granted to him by his infection. This is supported by Wesker seemingly giving them orders without speaking, like making them block Alice from picking up her gun or telling them exactly when to attack. It is also possible that Adjule retained their training from their time spent before their infection.
The Adjule were actually never named. The name “Adjule” comes from the Resident Evil 5 dog monsters the Afterlife dogs were an adaptation from. In the absence of an official name this analysis uses “Adjule” as a placeholder.
Cerberus were Doberman-based bioweapons released from the Hive late into the T-virus pandemic. They were used as a part of the Hive’s security system. They were alternatively called “Majini Dogs”; this could imply they were the dog equivalent of Majini Undead – dogs infected with the same virus strain Majini Undead were or Undead dogs that adapted in the same way Majini did. The Cerberus were seemingly unnumberable, but they were all killed when the airborne Anti-Virus was released.
Cerberus were controlled using “control units” surgically implanted into the base of the hosts’ skulls. These control units had a shorter range than avatar implants (which are covered in part 3 of this analysis) but were far more effective. Using a remote link to these control units the Red Queen could direct the dogs towards specific targets.
Cerberus were controlled using “control units” surgically implanted into the base of the hosts’ skulls. These control units had a shorter range than avatar implants (which are covered in part 3 of this analysis) but were far more effective. Using a remote link to these control units the Red Queen could direct the dogs towards specific targets.
Some Cerberus had their lower jaw completely replaced by two mandibles, like those on Majini. These mandibles were connected to each other and the head itself by wing-like webbing. These Cerberus also had two rows of upper teeth and exposed extensions of the vertebrae. The Cerberus without mandibles had relatively normal jaws, but their entire mouths opened somewhat wider, making their bites bigger. The Cerberus were also described as being larger than normal Dobermans (The Final Chapter novelization). They were just as weak to headshots and had the same signs of necrosis as any other Undead dog. Their saliva was bloody, and their tongues were discolored (The Final Chapter novelization). Cerberus voices were extremely low pitched.
In The Final Chapter novelization Cerberus were described as being extraordinarily intelligent. They managed to expertly stalk Alice and her allies, circling them and frightening them with “guttural howls”. They herded the group of survivors into an ambush while others remained hidden behind debris in order to make surprise attacks. One Cerberus dragged Christian off to devour him in a safe location. Their enhanced senses allowed them to stalk their prey despite the area being almost completely obscured by darkness and mist. In both the novelization and the film, the Cerberus would not pursue the survivors into the Hive due to being afraid of something within. The object of their fear could have been one of the many mutations that used the Hive as a lair (like the Bloodshot). This fear seemed to have overridden their control units, revealing a fault in Umbrella’s control over them. The fact that the Cerberus knew the Hive was dangerous may have been due to experience or to their acute senses.
When Christian was killed by a Cerberus he quickly transformed into an Undead and attacked Alice at the entrance to the Hive. He managed to catch up to the group of survivors with incredible speed, which could imply that he became a Majini. This supports the idea that Cerberus were created with the same strain of the T-virus that was inside of Majini Undead.
The relationship between the Cerberus and Adjule, if there is any, is unknown. It may be that both are “Majini Dogs” - if this is the case, then their separate abilities could have been the result of lab-made modifications or differing mutations (after all, some Cerberus had mandibles while others did not). It may also be that Adjule were actually the dog equivalent of Javo, making them farther along in the Undead lifecycle than Cerberus were.
The designation “Cerberus” could possibly have been used to describe a “natural” Majini Dog (or any Undead dog for that matter) that had been implanted with cybernetics to control it. This would make Cerberus a weaponized form of a natural mutation. This is supported by the fact that Cerberuses in the game series were just normal Zombie Dogs that had been created in a lab for use as weapons. As the Dobermans in the first film were speculated to have been Hive test subjects in the Genesis novelization, it may be that the Cerberus was in development as early as 2002. It is also possible that Cerberus were created after the start of the T-virus pandemic and were simply transported to the remains of the Hive to guard it. In this case the Cerberus could have been based on data obtained by Umbrella after observing the many Undead Dogs created by the apocalypse, including the Adjule. Or they were created as a result of Umbrella’s advancements in control technology late into the outbreak.
“Cerberus” is used as a singular and plural world when referring to Majini Dogs, despite the fact that Cerberus is the name of a single, three-headed dog in Greek mythology. The role of the mythological Cerberus was to guard the gates of Hades, and the Cerberus bioweapons very appropriately guarded the entrance to the Hive within the Raccoon City crater (made even more appropriate in The Final Chapter novelization, as Alice compared the crater to a portal to the underworld).
The relationship between the Cerberus and Adjule, if there is any, is unknown. It may be that both are “Majini Dogs” - if this is the case, then their separate abilities could have been the result of lab-made modifications or differing mutations (after all, some Cerberus had mandibles while others did not). It may also be that Adjule were actually the dog equivalent of Javo, making them farther along in the Undead lifecycle than Cerberus were.
The designation “Cerberus” could possibly have been used to describe a “natural” Majini Dog (or any Undead dog for that matter) that had been implanted with cybernetics to control it. This would make Cerberus a weaponized form of a natural mutation. This is supported by the fact that Cerberuses in the game series were just normal Zombie Dogs that had been created in a lab for use as weapons. As the Dobermans in the first film were speculated to have been Hive test subjects in the Genesis novelization, it may be that the Cerberus was in development as early as 2002. It is also possible that Cerberus were created after the start of the T-virus pandemic and were simply transported to the remains of the Hive to guard it. In this case the Cerberus could have been based on data obtained by Umbrella after observing the many Undead Dogs created by the apocalypse, including the Adjule. Or they were created as a result of Umbrella’s advancements in control technology late into the outbreak.
“Cerberus” is used as a singular and plural world when referring to Majini Dogs, despite the fact that Cerberus is the name of a single, three-headed dog in Greek mythology. The role of the mythological Cerberus was to guard the gates of Hades, and the Cerberus bioweapons very appropriately guarded the entrance to the Hive within the Raccoon City crater (made even more appropriate in The Final Chapter novelization, as Alice compared the crater to a portal to the underworld).
Cerberus/Majini Dog pictures, credit here
Crows (and probably other bird species) became infected with the T-virus after feeding on Undead corpses. These birds transformed into Undead themselves as a result. Bird feathers were not affected by necrosis and so any skin damage was unobservable due to being covered up. The only visible change to an infected crow’s appearance was in the eyes, which became milky and damaged like other Undead. A screenplay for Extinction also describes Undead Crows as being “giant”, which was either a result of mutation or of them being based on a large species.
Like dogs, Undead crows seemed to retain their intelligence and fine motor control. Crows retained the ability to fly swiftly and were highly social. Independent crows that became infected separately would afterwards gather together into large groups (murders), likely in order to protect themselves, become more efficient fighters, and to help one another find food. A murder of Undead crows could be made up of hundreds or even thousands of individual birds. They were intelligent enough to take a greater interest in cracked glass than in a protective mesh, recognizing the structural weakness.
Undead crows were more cautious when in a passive state than other Undead and could even be shooed away when by themselves, showing some degree of self-preservation and/or fear. But they were highly territorial, and loud noises or intense movement would send them into a frenzy. When a single bird was agitated by a sudden sound (or the scent of prey on the open air; Extinction screenplay) it would screech and caw, sending the murder into a frenzy. They circled prey in a tornado-like formation, picking off targets in locust-like swarms. When in an agitated state they would attack with such force as to destroy their own bodies. Crows that were agitated would return to a passive state immediately after devouring prey (which they completely devoured down to the bone in mere moments; Extinction screenplay).
Undead crows did not seem to show a preference for uninfected flesh, unlike infected humans and dogs. They would devour both humans and Undead. In the ruins of Las Vegas, they went block by block, devouring the resident Undead until the entire city became empty of life and un-life. The reason crows did not refrain from attacking other infected could be due to a mutation in the virus causing them to not recognize hosts with other strains, brought about by the introduction of bird DNA to the virus, or to some inherent difference in an Undead crow's biology.