In the latest installment of the series, the hard-luck ex-hitman finally seeks freedom from the enigmatic High Table, but this comes at a huge cost, as the last appearance of our antihero is marked by a tombstone.
However, the question remains: is he truly six feet under? The conclusion of this chapter and an engaging post-credits scene provide insight into the potential future of the “Wick”-verse.
A bullet, a betrayal, and a question of survival (Photo: John Wick 4/Lionsgate, Thunder Road Pictures, 87Eleven Entertainment )How does ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ end?
The task of eliminating John Wick falls to the Marquis (Bill Skarsgård), a formidable emissary of the High Table stationed in Paris. Wick, now excommunicado from the international criminal organization, finds himself with a multimillion-dollar bounty on his head.
To regain his freedom, he challenges the Marquis to a death duel at the Trocadero. The Marquis enlists Wick’s blind yet lethal friend, Caine (Donnie Yen), to carry out his dirty work. In a brutal exchange, Wick and Caine injure each other, culminating in Caine’s final shot that leaves Wick gravely wounded.
As the Marquis steps in, preparing to finish Wick off, it becomes clear that Wick has not fired his weapon for that last round—according to High Table rules, he has one final chance.
Seizing the opportunity, he shoots the Marquis in the head. Caine and Winston (Ian McShane) rush to assist the wounded Wick, but he is last seen slumped over, seemingly lifeless.
Is Keanu Reeves’ John Wick really dead?
The concluding scene moves to New York, where Winston and the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) visit Wick’s grave alongside his pit bull. John lies buried next to his wife, Helen, and his headstone bears the inscription “Beloved husband,” as per Wick’s wishes.
As they pay their respects—an encounter that feels quite ambiguous—the dog perks up, seemingly responding to a sound. Is it merely a squirrel, or could the canine sense Wick observing this poignant moment from a distance, still alive?
Fans will need to remain patient for answers. Although a sequel was announced in 2020, director Chad Stahelski has recently indicated that he and Reeves “are done for the moment.”
Fortunately, the “Wick” universe is branching out beyond its titular character, with a prequel series (“The Continental”) in the works and a spinoff film titled “Ballerina,” featuring Ana de Armas. It’s possible that Reeves may make an appearance in these projects, but it’s a safe assumption that John Wick will return in some capacity.
What’s important about the ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ end-credits scene?
The Marquis successfully manipulates Caine by using his daughter as leverage, highlighting that Caine’s association with the High Table is the only thing protecting her from danger.
Wick’s triumph in the final duel liberates Caine from his obligations, and in the end-credits scene, Caine is seen approaching his daughter with flowers.
However, he is confronted by Akira (Rina Sawayama), who served as the right-hand concierge to Osaka Continental manager Shimazu (Hiroyuki Sanada), her father. After previously fighting alongside Wick, Akira is intent on avenging her father’s death at Caine’s hands.
As Akira advances toward Caine with a knife drawn, the scene abruptly cuts to black, leaving fans eager for more vengeful drama in “John Wick: Chapter 5.”
