Lance Reddick, who sadly passed away last Friday, portrayed characters in memorable shows such as the HBO series The Wire, Oz, Bosch, Lost, and Fringe. He also provided his voice for video games including the Destiny franchise and Quantum Break.
Reddick's role as Charon in the John Wick franchise is also memorable for being a subtle, persistent, and loyal character alongside Wick and manager Winston Scott. Charon may primarily be considered a supporting character, but like John Wick, he is a man of focus who is skilled in his work as a concierge and is more than meets the eye.
Who is Charon in the John Wick Series?
Charon is the concierge at the Continental Hotel in New York City, which is managed by Winston Scott (charismatically portrayed by Ian McShane). Similar to John Wick (Keanu Reeves), Winston, and the other characters and assassins, Charon's backstory is mysterious, but as the franchise develops with each film, more is revealed little by little. Charon is a loyal right-hand man for Winston, telling his boss when members of the Continental or the High Table arrive at the hotel and/or require their services.
Charon also has a friendly repertoire with John Wick, especially since they are familiar with each other's work ethic and experience with the Continental. In the first film, when John returns to the Continental for the first time since his retirement, Charon is pleased to see him again, engaging in small talk over John's old room. Charon also knows how to handle complicated situations that arise in the hotel, such as when he gives John a phone call to his room concerning complaints over loud noise. John mentions that he is dealing with an uninvited guest (Ms. Perkins), which leads Charon to suggest a "dinner reservation" (a courteous way of asking if that guest should be killed and disposed of by cleaners).
Charon's loyalty towards John is further evident in John Wick: Chapter 2 when the concierge agrees to watch John's new dog (the dog with no name) since the hotel has no board or services for taking care of dogs. Although briefly shown, Charon understands Wick's difficult situation with Santino D'Antonio. During the climax of the sequel, Santino tries to hide from John by going to the Continental and asking Winston to cancel Wick's membership, and Charon lets Santino through after firmly stating "the manager is always in," signifying that he and Winston are always watching alertly in the hotel.
In John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum, Charon makes his finest appearance yet, holding his own alongside Winston and John when they are all threatened by the High Table after John killed Santino in the hotel at the end of the second film. Charon wasn't involved in any of the gunfights in the first two chapters, but in the third film, the concierge proves himself to be an elite marksman when helping John shoot down several henchmen working for the High Table. He uses pistols and shotguns with armor-piercing rounds as his weapons of choice during this climactic battle (which John approves of and uses as well).
Why is Charon A Memorable Character?
Charon is a memorable character in large part because of the way Lance Reddick portrays this role with quiet subtlety, along with class and finesse. He knows and understands the rules of the Continental Hotel as much as Winston and more than any assassin or client who walks into their facility. If anyone violates the regulations of the Continental, which are killing a person on company grounds or not fulfilling a marker, then that person will have their membership revoked and be terminated.
Of course, the rules of the Continental also apply to John Wick, but despite his rule-breaking (killing Santino by shooting him in the head point-blank in the dining area of the hotel), Charon has always supported John as best he can as a good friend, similar to how Winston cares and loves John like a son. Charon and Winston both understand John's skill set and the capabilities he has in terms of fighting, marksmanship, and taking down several assassins at once. They also recognize that John is not only one of their best clients but that he is fighting for his freedom and to retire (again) from his life of killing.
How Will Charon Fare In John Wick 4?
Due to the unfortunate passing of Lance Reddick, John Wick: Chapter 4 is sadly one of the last times fans will see the late actor as Charon (his final appearance will be in the John Wick spin-off film Ballerina with Ana de Armas). There's a probable chance that Charon will be killed off (on-screen or off) in this sequel due to the elevated stakes against Wick and his comrades, especially since enemies from the High Table get more dangerous and lethal in each film.
Charon, with his elegant suits, his distinct voice, his calm and sharp demeanor, and his loyal companionship to John and Winston make the concierge one of the most memorable characters in the franchise. While there's John Wick: Chapter 4 and a younger version of Charon in the upcoming prequel TV miniseries The Continental about a young Winston in the 1970s, it would be intriguing if the John Wick creators also make a spin-off prequel film or show involving a young Charon and how he established himself as an efficient marksman, along with backstory on his friendship with John. Charon will be big shoes to fill, but the character's legacy is secure thanks to Lance Reddick's unforgettable portrayal.