John Wick: Chapter 4 Trailer Breakdown: It's Time To Defeat The High Table
With certain films, some things are best left to the imagination. And while action extravaganzas like "John Wick: Chapter 4" will probably benefit from the element of surprise, it's hard to resist poring over every new trailer, poster, and interview released to promote the film. Lionsgate has since treated "Wick" fans to a particularly stunning trailer back in November, and now the final trailer for "John Wick: Chapter 4" is finally upon us. With the film's release date steadily creeping up, it can't hurt to get a little taste of what's in store this time around. There's lots to speculate over in this new trailer, so let's jump right in.
'And so it begins'
The "Chapter 4" trailer begins exactly where the franchise's last installment left off — just with one interesting twist. "John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum" saw John (Keanu Reeves) completely betrayed by one of his oldest allies, Winston (Ian McShane), who basically exchanged John's life for carte blanche with The High Table. John turns up on the doorstep of The Bowery King (Lawrence Fishburne), who's also got major beef with The High Table. "Chapter 4" will see them teaming up in earnest — and Winston's coming along for the ride as well.
A freshly-healed John receives a new bulletproof suit (and gun, you can't forget the gun) from the Bowery King. He's ready to wage another one-man war against The High Table, one that will hopefully get him out of the game for good. Surprisingly, Winston's chilling on the sidelines, ready to coach John through whatever fresh hell awaits him this time. "And so it begins," he remarks. I certainly hope so, Winston.
Old friends, new enemies
After a few shots teasing Hiroyuki Sanada's enigmatic new character, Shimazu, the final trailer gives us another look at the film's primary antagonist, The Marquis (Bill Skasgård). John's goal this go-round is clear, thanks to some sage advice from Winston: if John ever wants to get out — and really get out — he'll have to challenge the Marquis to a duel. If he wins, he'll be free. If he loses ... well, he dies — but just that's freedom of another kind, at least to this band of killers.
Of course, John's freedom will be predictably hard won. The "John Wick" saga has never skimped on the visual spectacle, and "Chapter 4" only ramps up the neon drenched intensity, promising brawls in nightclubs (a franchise staple at this point), Parisian apartments, and what might be Shimazu's stronghold in Japan. There's not much of Shimazu himself in this new trailer, but his ward Akira (Rina Sawayama) is seen kicking some serious tail. To quote John himself: Amen!
The wrath of a Killa
"Chapter 4" might just boast the most stacked cast of all the "John Wick" films. Hiroyuki Sanada, Rina Sawayama, Bill Skarsgård and Donnie Yen have all gotten their fair share of screen time in the trailers, but one action star in particular seemed to be missing from the action. Though Scott Adkins's casting caused a big buzz for fans of his direct-to-video slugfests, his character — known only as Killa — was notably absent from the "Chapter 4" promo. That is, until now.
We finally get a good look at Adkins' Killa in the new "Chapter 4" trailer, and he's very much serving up Colin-Farell-as-the-Penguin realness. By that, I of course mean he's slipped into a fat suit for his role in the film. Adkins is pretty much synonymous with his striking physique, so it's interesting to see him subverting those expectations (as problematic as fat suits are in and of themselves) — and in his most high profile role to date. It doesn't seem like his prosthetics are going to stop him for doling out the pain, though: He actually does appear in a fight in the early "Chapter 4" trailers, so there's a chance that he and Reeves will face off before his duel with the Marquis.
But it's hard to die
If that wasn't enough, "Chapter 4" will also bring back The Elder (Saïd Taghmaoui), the mysterious leader of the High Table that John first met in the Moroccan desert. He doesn't seem too pleased about John's exploits of late, nor does he seem to have a problem with taking him off the board completely. "The only way John Wick will have freedom and peace is in death," he says, over shots of John fighting Tracker, jumping out of a three-story building, and shooting down opponents on horseback.
As always, though, John's not going down without a fight. "Yeah," he drones, upon reuniting with The Elder in another desert setting. "Not really." Suddenly he's got his gun pointed right at The Elder, and it's off to the races.
Get yourself a gun!
Formidable as he is, the Baba Yaga's got his work cut out for him in "Chapter 4." The new film is not shy at all about its body count, and John is taking absolutely no prisoners this time around. The "Chapter 4" trailer oscillates between that stunning night club fight, a fiery brawl between John and Tracker (Shamier Anderson), and a brief — but no less exciting — tease of Donnie Yen's swordsmanship as Caine. But there's also the matter of that high-speed chase down the streets of Paris, which will culminate in a bonkers showdown at the Arc de Triumph.
John will face off with the Marquis' right hand, Chidi (Marko Zaror), and fortunately, he won't be alone. Lest we forget that John Wick is, above all, a dog person, he'll get an assist from a brand new furry friend in "Chapter 4." To be honest, this particular pup looks a bit like Tracker's dog, from the first trailer. That news doesn't bode well for Tracker himself, but who knows: Maybe he and John will end up working together at some point? There's not really room for friendship in the world of contract killing, but if we've learned anything from this series, it's that you don't bet against John Wick.
"John Wick: Chapter 4" blasts into theaters on March 24, 2023.