“Fistful of Vengeance” begins as a story of revenge but quickly turns into a merciless battle for the fate of the world. Kai (Iko Uwais) and his friends follow a killer to Bangkok, only to realize that she has lured them into a trap. Assassin Wu’s powers have gotten them out of trouble before, but this time it’s precisely Assassin Wu that a mysterious pair of “Yin Yang” villains want.
The film, which incidentally picks up Season 1 of the Netflix series “Wu Assassins”, goes through many dramatic fights as Kai is joined by regular (and a few unexpected) companions. Waves upon waves of mysterious forces and deadly assassins stand in their way, and the final battle features some pretty spectacular villains. If you got lost in the flurry of battles, we’re here to help give you the finer details of what happens in the frenetic climax of “Fistful of Vengeance.” Let’s dive into it. FRONT SPOILERS.
Plot Synopsis for A Fistful of Revenge
The film opens right in the middle of the action, with Kai, Lu, and Tommy heading to a club in Bangkok in search of Jenny’s killer. They are attacked by a mysterious force, which Kai recognizes as a Chi Vampire. The heroes survive and are later summoned by the mysterious Dr. William Pan, who informs them that the killer they are looking for is the powerful and notorious Ku An Qi, currently the head of Bangkok’s underworld.
Realizing they need local help, Tommy brings in Preeya, a resourceful fighter who helps the group infiltrate Ku’s lair. A few frantic battles later, it begins to become clear that William may not have been fully open to the truth. Preeya takes them to a shrine where a shaman finally clarifies William Pan’s position, revealing that the doctor is actually on the same side as Ku. The two, he explains, are part of a larger whole that seeks to recreate an ancient being called Pan Gu.
Thus, it becomes clear that William is simply using Kai to help raise the mythical entity. An apocalypse is also hinted at when the shaman claims that Pan Gu will reshape the world in his own image. Meanwhile, Preeya is approached by Ku’s forces and shown tantalizing images of being reunited with her deceased family. Seemingly under a mind control spell, she then turns on the group and attempts to steal an ancient pendant needed to raise Pan Gu. Although she is saved, Lu then finds herself under a similar influence and turns against Kai.
End for a Fistful of Vengeance: Is Kai Jin Dead or Alive? Did he kill Pan Gu?
Through frantic pursuits and with the help of the shaman, the group is able to subdue Ku’s significant forces. However, the real danger now is William, who manages to get both pendants. The film’s climax takes place in a dramatic underground cave where the mighty William – now in possession of the two pendants – begins to dig an ancient portal. Kai, Tommy, Preeya, and an Interpol agent (who also happens to be Lu’s Flame) attempt to fend him off but are overpowered by the villain’s forces.
Finally, William joins the pendants and transforms into Pan Gu. After bringing Lu back to his senses, Kai jumps on the ancient being, and the two slowly begin to drown in the portal. Lu also intervenes, and together they subdue Pan Gu. Kai and Lu exit the portal and the tired group begins to exit the caves. The film then ends with them all on the beach, drinking in memory of Jenny and celebrating their victory.
And so, Kai Jin, the last Wu Assassin, survives to fight another day. In his climactic battle with Pan Gu, it seems for a while that our hero might not make it. However, Lu’s just-in-time entry—combined with Kai’s explosive use of powers—causes a massive explosion that propels Pan Gu into the dark depths of the portal.
We see Kai on the beach a few days later, so it’s clear that he does indeed subdue Pan Gu and manages to get out of the cave. However, it seems unlikely that the mythical villain is dead. We last see Pan Gu fall into the portal as the others escape. Since this is the portal he first came out of, it seems Pan Gu was simply banished to where he came from and may return. Thus, Kai Jin defeats Pan Gu but apparently does not kill him.
Who is Jenny? Who killed Jenny?
Jenny is Tommy’s sister and remains invisible throughout the film. However, the narrative essentially begins with Jenny since it is her death that Kai and his friends set out to avenge. She is killed sometime before the film opens, and the group essentially follows her killer to a club in Bangkok, where the narrative comes into play.
Once Kai meets William, the latter reveals that Jenny was killed by Ku, the powerful and “chaotic” half of an entity he calls the “Yin Yang”. It then becomes clear that Ku basically lured Kai to Bangkok to extract Wu Assassin’s energy and use it to raise Pan Gu. Of course, this also seems to be William’s plan, but it doesn’t become clear until much later.
What happens to Ku An Qi? Is she dead or alive?
Ku An Qi, the notorious mob boss who has tormented Kai and his friends from the start, faces a surprising end as she thinks things are going her way. However, she seems to recognize how powerful Kai is because she warns her forces about it. Ironically, the mighty Ku is not brought down by Kai but by two non-magical fighters.
During the frantic battle, Ku is confronted by Tommy and the Interpol agent. The fight is brutal but short and ends when Ku has his neck broken by the agent. So Ku is about to see William transform into Pan Gu (which happens shortly after) but is killed right before. However, since the shaman describes her as a magical entity, another reincarnation of Ku might appear at some point.
What becomes of William Pan? Is he dead or alive?
The fate of Dr. William Pan (who channels Pan Gu) is a bit of a mystery. It seems that Pan Gu, who is a mythical being, cannot die. So what about William, who essentially embodies Pan Gu at the end of the film? Again, the shaman gives us a clue.
He mentions earlier that William is a constantly reborn entity. Ku and William apparently form two halves of a greater being that aims to bring about the rise of Pan Gu. So, like Ku, it appears that the entity that is William Pan can also be reborn. Therefore, although we see Willam (as Pan Gu) fall into the portal at the end, a version of him likely survives and, like Ku, could be reincarnated in another form.
Read more: Is Fistful of Vengeance Wu Assassins the sequel or a spin-off?
