Fast & Furious: The Art of the Cliffhanger
A comparison of the cliffhanger endings in Fast & Furious 4 and Fast X, and why the former was more effective in setting up the next installment of the franchise.
Introduction
Fast and Furious 4 ( 2009 ) Dom Escapes climax ending scene HD
The Fast and Furious franchise has become known for its thrilling action sequences, high-speed chases, and memorable characters. However, one aspect that has always kept fans on the edge of their seats is the cliffhanger endings that set up the next installment of the series. Fast X, the latest entry in the franchise, left fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter, but it fell short in comparison to a previous film's cliffhanger. Let's take a closer look at how the cliffhanger endings of Fast & Furious 4 and Fast X compare, and why the former was more effective in setting up the next installment of the franchise.
Three cars following a bus in Fast & Furious 4's final scene
The Fast Saga announced that it would end with a two-part film, with Fast X serving as the first part. The villain, Dante Reyes, wasn’t defeated, and the upcoming Fast & Furious 11 is expected to begin where Fast X ended. This setup was meant to create anticipation for the next chapter in the franchise, but it didn't quite have the impact that the ending of Fast & Furious 4 had many years ago.
Vin Diesel as Dom looking worried inside his car in Fast X
The Cliffhanger Endings
Fast & Furious 4, released in 2009, was not designed to be the first entry in a two-part story like Fast X. Instead, it was meant to reignite the saga by reuniting Paul Walker’s Brian O’Conner and Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto for the first time since the original film. The closing minutes of Fast & Furious 4 left audiences with a gripping cliffhanger that set the stage for the next chapter in the Fast Saga. Toretto is being transported to a penitentiary after being sentenced to 25 years for multiple crimes, but the movie ends with a rescue mission led by Mia, Brian, and the rest of Toretto’s crew, leaving viewers wondering whether they succeeded in freeing Toretto.
In contrast, Fast X's ending felt artificially designed as a sequel hook rather than a natural tease for the next chapter of the story. The film's marketing heavily emphasized the two-part structure, but the cliffhanger didn't quite live up to the anticipation it had built. The lack of real stakes in the cliffhanger left fans feeling less invested in the outcome, especially considering the franchise's history of bringing back supposedly dead characters.
The Impact of the Cliffhangers
The impact of a cliffhanger lies in its ability to keep audiences engaged and eagerly awaiting the resolution in the next installment. Fast & Furious 4's cliffhanger was effective because it left viewers with a sense of uncertainty and anticipation. The rescue mission to free Toretto created genuine suspense and set the stage for the high-octane action that would follow in Fast Five.
On the other hand, Fast X's cliffhanger lacked the same impact due to the lack of real stakes and the predictable nature of the setup. The threat to Toretto and his son didn't carry the same weight, and the audience's investment in the outcome was diminished. The artificial nature of the cliffhanger made it feel more like a marketing ploy than a genuine setup for the next chapter in the Fast Saga.
