We don't know a lot about the shadowy organization that rules the underworld in the John Wick
franchise, but the movies have given us a few clues as to the source and scope of its
power. Here's what we know about the High Table.
The High Table is made up of the leaders of 12 high-profile crime syndicates, which are
led by "families" in the John Wick universe. Each organization is granted one seat at the
table, and the head of each syndicate is typically the one to occupy that spot.
The only family with a seat on the Table that has appeared onscreen is the D'Antonio family
in John Wick: Chapter 2. The remaining 11 members of the High Table are shrouded in
mystery, although fans of the series have speculated that some of the seats are occupied
by real-life underworld organizations such as the Yakuza, Triads, and the Russian mafia.
While some of these organizations certainly appear in the franchise, it is not yet certain
whether any of their members actually hold seats at the Table. Like many details about
the High Table that remain hidden from viewers for now, this mystery will hopefully begin
to unravel itself in the fourth John Wick film.
Although the High Table is the ruling body of the underworld, there is a man whose own
authority actually supersedes it. Known only as the Elder, he seems to reside in the Moroccan
desert. While this allows the Table to run its affairs without much interference, the
Elder does have the ability to stay up to date on the affairs of the world, given that
he already knows of John Wick's plight when they meet in the third installment of the
series. In John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the Elder agrees to override the High Table's
bounty and excommunication of Wick — that is, as long as he agrees to kill Winston,
Wick's longtime associate and the owner of the Continental's New York location. The High
Table's main enforcer, the Adjudicator, has been made aware of the Elder's deal and is
sent to the Continental to witness the deed. This subtle move shows the power that the
Elder wields, as well as the deference and respect the High Table gives him. While the
Table is clearly powerful, the role of the Elder shows that even its ability to impose
order has limits.
The immense power and prestige which comes with a seat at the High Table also has a significant
downside. Specifically, even your own siblings are willing to kill you to claim it.
When the leader of the Camorra crime syndicate, which is run by the D'Antonios, passes away,
he chooses his daughter Gianna to succeed him as both the leader of the Camorra and
a member of the High Table. This leaves her brother Santino feeling snubbed, and his hunger
for power eventually leads him to use a Marker to force John Wick to assassinate Gianna.
After Wick kills the leader of the Camorra, Santino sends his men to silence Wick. After
Wick escapes, Santino puts a $7 million bounty on Wick's head to ensure his involvement in
his sister's death is never revealed. Although Santino's power grab ends when Wick kills
him in the Continental, his actions reveal the lengths some in the underworld will go
to in order to gain power and recognition. Power obviously comes with its perks, but
it also has significant drawbacks, and that's especially true at the High Table.
While the High Table's reach covers almost the entire underworld, there's a strong component
of self-interest driving everyone's actions here. And there are some criminals who are
powerful enough to visibly chafe under the group's control.
The Bowery King is perhaps the best example of someone who doesn't see eye to eye with
the Table. As the leader of the Soup Kitchen, an intelligence network for assassins, the
King supplies Wick with a firearm and some ammo while he's on the run from Santino D'Antonio.
After Santino is killed by Wick, the Table decides to punish the Bowery King for his
role in Santino's death, forcing him to do "penance" by enduring seven cuts.
"Do not make the mistake of thinking you exist outside the rules. No men do."
He obliges and is left near death — just as Wick is toward the end of the third movie,
when he's rescued by one of the King's men. The Bowery King informs Wick he's engaging
in open rebellion against the Table. Although the High Table's influence is undeniable,
there are definitely some rebels who don't agree with the status quo — and aren't afraid
to show it.
Given that they serve as the ruling council for the underworld, it figures the members
of the High Table would have access to the finest weaponry — and an army of mercenaries
to wield it. With their advanced gear and armor impervious to regular bullets, the High
Table's shock troops are perhaps the best expression of their power.
In the battle for the Continental, the High Table troops cut through the Continental's
defenses. The average assassin stands absolutely no chance against the High Table's elite soldiers
— John Wick's ridiculous skills and some armor-piercing slugs are ultimately the only
reasons the Table's men aren't able to take the hotel during the assault. Moreover, one
has to imagine that the threat of further aggression by High Table troops is on Winston's
mind when he seemingly betrays Wick by shooting him off the roof of the Continental toward
the end of Chapter 3. Through the sheer numbers and superior equipment of its elite soldiers,
the High Table is able to enforce their will upon all who defy them — for now, anyway.
The Adjudicator is the name bestowed upon the High Table's primary enforcer. They have
the power to determine the fate of anyone who crosses the organization — even members
of the Table themselves. What this all means is that, with the exception of the Elder,
the Adjudicator is arguably the most powerful person in the underworld's political system.
"Let me be clear: I am here to adjudge you. You have one week to get your affairs in order."
In John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the Adjudicator uses their authority to press
Zero's assassins into service in order to dole out punishment to Wick's allies for granting
him aid in escaping New York. The Adjudicator's authority is further demonstrated in the battle
for the Continental, when they "deconsecrate" the hotel, which allows for killing on its
grounds. At the conclusion of the battle, they decide to spare Winston and reconsecrate
the Hotel, indicating they possess a large degree of decision-making authority from the
High Table. With broad power and the backing of the Table, the Adjudicator isn't someone
a member of the Wick universe's underworld wants to mess with — either politically
or in combat.
Given the vast resources and political power the High Table wields, it's no surprise that
almost everyone in the underworld fears or at least respects the group — including
John Wick.
After Wick finds the Elder, he's offered a chance to have his sins against the Table
washed away if he kills Winston. He definitely considers it, since Winston later has to convince
Wick not to kill him and instead fight against the Table. Later, after the battle of the
Continental, Winston decides to pitch his rebellion as a "show of strength" to the Adjudicator,
who lets him keep his power "under the Table." Wick's initial intention to kill Winston — and
Winston's subsequent apparent betrayal of Wick — goes to show that even the most feared
individuals in the underworld have some degree of respect for the power of the High Table.
Will that still be the case after John Wick 4? We can't wait to find out.
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