With the release of Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City in November 2021, one of the most badass characters in the franchise was able to shine in a live-action reimagining. Resident Evil is full of many great quotes that sum up the franchise, and despite being absent from the games for much of the last two decades, Claire is one of its most interesting characters.
When she has been able to feature as a central character in the main series games, as well as the films and the recent television show, Claire consistently provides some of the most quotable lines, showcasing her grit, leadership skills, strong moral compass, and her dry sense of humor.
When She Encounters A Zombie In Resident Evil 2
"Look, I'm Sorry If I Bothered You, Okay? Just Don't Come Any Closer!"
Claire's first encounter with a zombie is one of the most iconic moments in the franchise and an unforgettable moment for her character. Initially seeming more confused than anything else, Claire backs off from the creature, seemingly pleading with it as she realizes just how bad the situation is.
She even asks afterward, "Are you even listening?!" showing her complete ignorance that the creature is anything other than a violent, blood-covered human, also hinting at the dry sense of humor that became one of her defining features.
When She Decides To Look For Sherry Birkin In Resident Evil 2
"It's Too Dangerous For Her To Stay Here Alone. Leon, I'll Go Look For Her."
Upon finding out that Sherry Birkin, who is just a child, is alone and completely vulnerable to the zombies, the protective and assertive aspects of Claire's character come out. What makes this one of her best quotes is her immediate snap decision that she would be the one to search for Sherry, whilst Leon finds a way out for the two.
After spending some time with her character at this point in the game, it is also satisfying to see her more heroic qualities come forward. If someone is in danger, Claire rises to the occasion regardless of the dangers it puts her in.
When The Siblings Are Reunited In Resident Evil - Code: Veronica
"Chris … I Missed You So Much."
One of the best relationships in the Resident Evil franchise is that between Claire and her brother, Chris. Code: Veronica, which debuted on the Dreamcast in the year 2000, has some of their most emotional interactions. After a long period of being separated, the siblings are reunited as Chris finds and frees her from confinement.
Claire's words upon realizing that she was saved, and it was her brother who had saved her, showed another side to her character which is also hugely important, and that is her love for her family and friends.
When She Acted Like A True Hero In The Darkside Chronicles
"We’re Gonna Get You Out Of Here.”
Though Claire didn't feature in any of the main series titles of the games for a long time after Code: Veronica, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, which retold the events of the earlier games, provided some more great moments for her character. One of these was when she reassured Steve that they would be able to save him, even after he was injected with the deadly virus.
Though Steve protests that it is too late for him, Claire is unable to just leave him to die. Her ignoring the facts and telling Steve they would still get him out shows another side to her heroism, which is her hatred of seeing those close to her die or being unable to help them, which makes this quote even more powerful.
When She Looks For Survivors In Degeneration Armed With An Umbrella
"Never Saw This Coming.”
Resident Evil: Degeneration, the second-best of the animated Resident Evil movies, may not be one of the most widely remembered films in the franchise, but it nevertheless contains some of the most iconic Claire Redfield quotes. Perhaps the most iconic comes after Claire again showed her heroic nature, risking her life to go out in search of survivors.
When asking for a weapon she can use to fight the zombies with, the best item she is given is, ironically, an umbrella. Rather than get frustrated at her lack of an actual means to fight the infected, Claire still confidently strides out and even has time to wryly joke about how weird of a weapon it is.
When She Jokes About Almost Being Crushed In Revelations 2
"I Was Almost A Claire Sandwich."
Claire is at her best as a character when facing danger with a wry smile and a joke, and she had some great quips in Resident Evil: Revelations 2, the 2015 title that marked her return to main series games in the franchise. Perhaps her most absurd came after almost being crushed in a giant trap.
The line is especially funny given that if the player doesn't react fast enough and escape in time, they very much can become a Claire sandwich. However, assuming she is able to survive, it provides one of Claire's best moments, as she shows her lack of fear in the face of danger.
When She Shows Her Love For Sherry In Resident Evil 2
"I'm Really Glad I Met You Too, Sherry."
The remake of the title in which Claire first appeared made some interesting developments to the original and her relationship with Sherry is one of the parts of the game that most benefited from the enhancement. Trying to keep Sherry safe as the virus outbreak continues may be a challenge, but it is a rewarding one, as the two become close and Claire becomes almost a mother figure for her.
With their closeness come some of the most touching moments of the game. Claire's simple reply when Sherry tells her she's glad they met shows how good of an ally Claire is to the girl, making this easily one of her best lines in the games.
When She Snaps Back At Leon In Infinite Darkness
"Hey, Leon. That Outfit Doesn't Suit You."
Though the 2021 animated series sees Claire seemingly away from the action while working as an aid worker in the fictional country of Penamstan, she soon stumbles upon an apparent conspiracy in which bio-organic weapons are being used in the conflict there. This discovery ends up putting her directly in the path of Leon, on his own investigative mission after hacking attacks on the white house.
When the two meet, Leon seems dismissive of her discoveries and worried for her, telling her not to get into any trouble. Claire's response may seem like a simple criticism of his attire, but it was actually a barely disguised barb at the fact that Leon seemed to have been changed by politics, whilst Claire remained determined to uncover the truth.
When She Stays Strong Even After Being Captured In Infinite Darkness
"You'd Do That To People For Money? What Kind Of Monster Are You?”
Claire's strong sense of right and wrong is again highlighted in Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness after she is captured and continues to demand answers, despite her apparent vulnerability. Whilst others would have stayed quiet and hoped for mercy, Claire continues to provoke with her intense questioning.
Though her branding profiteers as monsters may seem like idealism, her mentioning of money as the reason for their inhumane acts also demonstrates her cynicism. When compared to characters who care more for money or themselves than human lives, Claire's words become an even stronger symbol of her ideals.
When She Shows Her Determination in Welcome To Raccoon City
“We’re Gonna Take Umbrella Down”
Whilst live-action adaptations of video games tend to transform characters and Welcome to Racoon City's Claire was never going to be exactly the same as the Claire that Resident Evil fans know and love, it was great that she remained just as heroic and determined as ever. In fact, Claire swearing to take Umbrella down once and for all could easily be a line from one of her game appearances.
The Resident Evil games did change some aspects of Claire's character, with one important difference being her relationship with Chris, but she remained the badass that players were used to and this line is the perfect demonstration of that.