Resident Evil Village was a big success for Capcom this year, further cementing the hold that the Resident Evil franchise has on the survival horror genre. However, with that title now in the rear view mirror and eyes set on the inevitable Resident Evil 9, questions and theories are already mounting for what the next mainline game in the series will be about. Aside from gameplay and connections to deeper franchise lore, there is one lingering narrative element that still needs to be resolved.
First alluded to back in Resident Evil 7 as well as its DLC content, the mysterious organization known as "The Connections" has been operating in the shadows with very little known about who they are and what they want. While clearly a threat with evil intentions, the true nature of this group is still unknown. With Resident Evil 9 likely being the finale to the modern trilogy of Resident Evil games, it will be good to finally shed some light on who this group is, as well as their larger "connections" to the Resident Evil storyline.
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The biggest reveal regarding The Connections would be to know exactly what this organization is. Questions such as if the group is comprised of multiple people or one individual, a professional organization, or random civilians. One obvious assumption to make would be if The Connections turned out to be the Umbrella Corporation revived under new leadership. The Umbrella Corporation is the company responsible for the initial outbreak that serves as the basis for events that take place through the first three games.
While Umbrella is revealed to have been dissolved as a company in the opening moments of Resident Evil 4, there were many hints to the corporation as a whole throughout Resident Evil Village. During Ethan's journey, there are many journal entries, insignias and other clues to indicate that Umbrella had deep roots into many events that happened, both on and off-screen, in the Resident Evil universe.
With that kind of grip on so many assets, naturally there had to have been some member unwilling to let the company completely fade away. This is of course speculation and the true identity of The Connections could be literally anyone or anything, from fan favorite antagonists such as Albert Wesker to something completely new.
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Learning the true face (or faces) behind The Connections is only one part of the puzzle however, as the group's motives is another enigma entirely. As is revealed during Resident Evil Village, The Connections had several dealings with Mother Miranda regarding The Mold, the same substance which granted Eveline her supernatural abilities. Evidently, The Connections were interested in harvesting The Mold to create its own bio-weapons to be used in chemical warfare and for trade in illegal money laundering schemes.
The situation with Eveline didn't fully go according to plan, as the tanker carrying her was destroyed and crashed near a Louisiana Bayou. Eveline was found by the Baker family, something which The Connections allowed to persist, maintaining contact with Lucas Baker as to how matters were progressing. Clearly The Connections wanted to see how The Mold was operating and functioned, and was subjecting the Baker family to be its own unofficial test subjects. During these events, Lucas was transmitting details and possibly samples back to The Connections, the purpose of which was unclear.
With the ending of Resident Evil Village setting the stage for big things to come, it almost seems as if all the events so far have been stepping stones to much larger implications. The Connections has eyes on many aspects and people within the Resident Evil universe, as well as plans that are sure to impact the franchise as a whole going for. Time will tell who this mysterious organization truly is, but considering all of the hints in the series so far, it is sure to be a shocking reveal when the time comes.
Resident Evil Village is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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