Resident Evil Requiem Features an Unexpected Tribute to The Lord of the Rings Films

Resident Evil Requiem is packed with nods to the franchise’s history, but it also features a clear tribute to the Lord of the Rings films that might fly under the radar. I completely missed it during my two playthroughs, but fans have pointed out that one of Leon Kennedy’s moments in the ruins of Raccoon City mirrors a scene from The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King almost perfectly.

In the second act of Requiem, Leon returns to the devastated Raccoon City, battling hordes of zombies and a massive spider. Before the boss fight kicks off, this giant arachnid stalks its prey from an elevated position. If you compare this moment to a scene in Return of the King where the ancient spider Shelob descends upon Frodo, the inspiration is unmistakable. Leon steps on a hidden skeleton just like Frodo does, and both heroes are framed from below as the enormous spiders loom overhead. They appear small in comparison to the monstrous threats they’re about to confront, heightening the sense of impending danger.

While Leon is more than capable of taking down a giant spider, the encounter takes a different turn than Frodo’s fate in The Lord of the Rings after this homage. It’s a clever detail that I might have noticed if I had revisited those films recently. Perhaps it’s time for a rewatch, especially with Stephen Colbert’s upcoming Lord of the Rings movie on the horizon.