Dante Reyes: The Joker of Fast & Furious
“Fast X is full of gravity-and-logic-defying stunts, and Roman and Tej’s banter was in top form,” but what really steals the show is the introduction of Dante Reyes. This new villain is a breath of fresh, albeit sinister, air. He’s not just another bad guy; he’s the franchise’s own Joker. Dante is a complex character with a vendetta against Dom, but he’s also a bit of a wildcard. He’s the kind of villain who paints his nails while pretending his dead employees are still alive. It’s this blend of menace and absurdity that has been missing from the Fast & Furious series.
“Dante is almost like the Fast & Furious series’ own Joker. While the character has a reason for hunting down Dom, he also seems to want to watch the world burn.”
The Annoying Redemption Trend in Fast & Furious
While Dante Reyes is a standout character, “Fast X” also falls into a familiar trap: the redemption of its villains. Cipher, a character who once threatened to murder Dom’s son and did kill his son’s mother, Elena, turns up on Dom’s doorstep seeking help in “Fast X.” This isn’t the first time a Fast & Furious villain has switched sides. Deckard Shaw, Jakob Toretto, and even Hobbs have all gone from enemies to allies.
“In Fast X, Cipher and Dom become allies and join forces against their common enemy, Dante. Given that Cipher was being built up as the Thanos-level franchise antagonist of Fast & Furious, the way she simply gives up and joins Dom is a huge disappointment.”
Why Dante Reyes Won’t Join the Fast Family
The Fast & Furious franchise has a history of redeeming its villains, but Dante Reyes could be the one to break the cycle. He’s sadistic, nefarious, and has a personal vendetta against Dom and his crew. His objective is clear: he wants revenge for the death of his father, Hernan Reyes, the villain from “Fast Five.”
“Dante could end the streak of major villains becoming heroes. Based on how sadistic and nefarious he is, it’s implausible that he’d join the Fast family.”
A Twist in the Tale: Aimes the Double Agent
Just when you thought “Fast X” was going to follow the same old formula, it throws a curveball. Aimes, a character who was a part of Mr. Nobody’s agency and worked closely with Dom and his team, is revealed to be a double agent. He’s been working with Dante all along, even during the events of “Fast Five.” This twist adds a layer of complexity to the story and makes for one of the most effective reveals in the franchise’s history.
“Aimes was even with Dante during the events of Fast Five, which made for one of the most effective reveals in the Fast & Furious franchise.”
The Road Ahead for Fast & Furious Villains
With “Fast & Furious 11” on the horizon, it’s clear that Dante Reyes will continue to be a thorn in Dom’s side. His sadistic nature and personal vendetta make him an ideal villain who won’t easily be swayed to join the Fast family. Meanwhile, Cipher’s role as an antihero leaves room for her to potentially return to her villainous ways, although given the franchise’s history, that seems unlikely.
The introduction of Dante Reyes and the twist involving Aimes indicate that the Fast & Furious franchise is willing to shake things up. Whether this will continue in future installments remains to be seen, but for now, “Fast X” has successfully breathed new life into the series’ approach to villains.
