How Donnie Yen’s Caine Became Blind In John Wick (2024)

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for John Wick: Chapter 4!

Donnie Yen's character Caine is blind in John Wick: Chapter 4, and how he lost his eyesight is a tragic story. The fourth John Wick movie introduced several new characters to the franchise opposite Keanu Reeves' lead assassin. This included the standout addition of Donnie Yen as Caine, a blind assassin who is every bit as skilled in combat as Baba Yaga. The famous martial arts movie star known from the Ip Man franchise plays a pivotal role in John Wick 4 as the main assassin tasked by the Marquis to hunt down John Wick.

John Wick 4 spends a lot of time with Caine to establish his current motivations and backstory. This includes a few notable reveals, including him and John Wick being old friends. One part of Caine's character that is apparent from the beginning is that he is blind. He is shown with sunglasses on at almost all times and has a walking cane, that doubles as a weapon. Donnie Yen's John Wick 4 character uses a series of techniques and gadgets to aid him in killing people even though he cannot see them. It also is eventually teased how Caine became blind before John Wick 4.

Caine Lost His Eyes To The High Table Before John Wick 4

How Donnie Yen’s Caine Became Blind In John Wick (1)

It is confirmed that Caine became blind when he lost his eyes to the High Table prior to the events of John Wick 4. This means that he was not born blind, and the single cuts across both eyelids indicate how Donnie Yen's character lost his eyes. Caine clarifies in John Wick 4 that he gave up his eyes and that they were not taken from him. This indicates that it was somewhat his decision to lose his eyes as a form of punishment from the High Table.

The John Wick movies have established a High Table rule where they ask people in the assassin underworld to give up something that has great meaning to them to stay in their good graces. John Wick cut off his finger to do this in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum as it meant losing his wedding ring and a reminder of John's wife, Helen. Caine losing his eyes for the High Table may have been the price to pay to keep his daughter safe. Similarly, Caine becoming blind means he can never see his daughter again, even if he did not have to stay away from her.

Caine & John's History Before John Wick 4 Explained

How Donnie Yen’s Caine Became Blind In John Wick (2)

It is established in John Wick 4 that Caine and John have a history together. The full extent of their friendship is not known, but the two talk fondly of each other, even as they are positioned as enemies. Their friendship potentially began thanks to John's various missions to Osaka over the years, which allowed him, Caine, and Koji Shimazu (Hiroyuki Sanada) to become close. The bond they formed strengthens Caine's story in John Wick: Chapter 4 as he helps his friend make it to the final dual, which tragically plays a part in John Wick's death, to get a chance at reuniting with his daughter.

How Donnie Yen’s Caine Became Blind In John Wick (2024)

FAQs

How did Caine become blind in John Wick? ›

When asked about it, Caine states that the High Table didn't take his eyes, but rather that Caine gave them to the High Table. It's also implied that he made the deal with Vincent, thus making him responsible for Caine's blindness.

How did Caine lose his eyesight? ›

It is confirmed that Caine became blind when he lost his eyes to the High Table prior to the events of John Wick 4. This means that he was not born blind, and the single cuts across both eyelids indicate how Donnie Yen's character lost his eyes.

Who is the blind guy in John Wick 4? ›

Donnie Yen To Reprise As 'John Wick: Chapter 4's Blind Assassin Caine In Standalone Lionsgate Film.

What happened to Cain in John Wick? ›

In fact, there is an end-credits scene, but it's not what we expect. We see Caine, now re-retired and supposedly free of all his obligations as a hired assassin, walking to listen to his violin-virtuoso daughter as she plays in a crowded outdoor plaza.

Is Winston John Wick's dad? ›

John was born Jardani Jovonovich in a Padhorje village somewhere in the Byelorussian SSR of the Soviet Union to a Ruska Roma family on September 2, 1964. He was orphaned at a young age before being taken in by an old friend of his father, Winston, who would eventually become John's mentor.

Is John Wick 5 confirmed? ›

Even though John Wick 5 has been confirmed to be in development (probably), we don't yet have an official release date for the next movie as of April 2024. The next John Wick movie we see will be the Ana de Armas-led spin-off Ballerina, which takes place between Chapters 3 and 4 in the timeline.

Can Caine defeat John Wick? ›

Trivia. Caine is the only antagonist successful at killing Wick, though it is heavily implied that John let Caine shoot him. Caine is the second blind man Donnie Yen has played. The first was Chirrut Îmwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Why did Mr. Nobody help John Wick? ›

Nobody ends up saving him more often and becomes an ally, providing comic relief and a potential spinoff opportunity. Mr. Nobody's motivation to kill John Wick is solely to collect the highest bounty, and he respects John Wick enough to keep him alive, ultimately helping him in the end.

Does Cain lose an eye? ›

How did he lost it? He killed Able and losing an eye was one of his punishments.

Who is Mr. Nobody in John Wick 4? ›

Played by Shamier Anderson, Mr. Nobody, also known as Tracker, is a bounty hunter with his sights set on Keanu Reeves' eponymous assassin, though bides his time taking Wick down until the reward hits a certain point.

Who is the guy in the purple suit in John Wick 4? ›

"The Expendables" and "Day Shift" star Scott Adkins also has a pretty prominent role as German crime lord, Killa, in one of the film's most memorable sequences. The character required Adkins to wear a fat suit, facial prosthetics, and a big purple suit to pull off the intimidating look.

What does "no quarter" mean in John Wick? ›

No quarter, no mercy shown by a victor, who treats a vanquished opponent very harshly or refuses to spare a surrendering opponent's life.

Why didn't John shoot Caine? ›

After two rounds of the duel end in Caine and Wick injured but alive, John seems to make the decision to sacrifice his life in order to kill the Marquis. After all, killing Caine would free John from the High Table, but murdering the Marquis immediately after that would get Wick in trouble all over again.

Who is Keanu Reeves' daughter? ›

Who turned down John Wick? ›

Rina Sawayama turned down John Wick role at first - IMDb.

Is Caine stronger than John? ›

Caine is forced by an old debtor to go after John to protect his daughter, and despite being blind, he is incredibly deadly and manages to get the better of John multiple times.

Why is Caine so strong? ›

As the first vampire, Caine is an incomprehensibly powerful individual, mastering every Discipline there is. Because he is the first of his kind, his blood is the purest one and the most potent.

Who is the strongest person in John Wick? ›

Some assassins, like Ares and Marcus, are not as formidable as others in terms of their abilities. John Wick himself is the most skilled and deadly assassin in the franchise, feared by other characters for his power and efficiency.

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