Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Bad Boys: Ride or Die!

Bad Boys: Ride or Die's ending resolves severel linging plot threads from previous movies and underscores a major theme that's carried over from the previous entry in the series. The fourth film in the Bad Boys series, the film reunites Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as Mike and Marcus, a pair of Miama police department detectives. Each of the films in the series has featured absurd action, with the pair dispatching hundreds of nameless criminals over the years. Fifteen years ed between the second and third films, with Bad Boys For Life highlighting how new generations of cops like Vanessa Hudgens' Kelly and Alexander Ludwig's Dorn can help them going forward.

Five years later, the Bad Boys franchise.

Bad Boys: Ride Or Die's Villain Plan & Mole Identity Explained

Bad Boys: Ride or Die Connects The Villains To The Antagonists Of Bad Boys 2 & Bad Boys For Life

Bad Boys: Ride or Die quietly retcons two of the previous films in the series, connecting them all through a wide-ranging conspiracy between the drug cartels and the Miami police. One of the big reveals of Bad Boys: Ride or Die centers on Lockwood, an attorney and James McGrath, a member of the US military. It turns out that the pair have been part of a conspiracy with the Cartels, allowing for the transport of drugs into Florida in exchange for their assistance in monitoring the border. While technically done to "protect" the nation from terrorists in the aftermath of 9/11, the plan ultimately corrupted the authority in Miami.

How Bad Boys: Ride Or Die's Villain Plan Retcons The Franchise

The drug trafficking in Bad Boys 2 is revealed to have been a part of this conspiracy, as well as Bad Boys For Life's Isabel Aretas. Growing suspicious after the events of Bad Boys 2, it turns out Captain Howard spent years looking into the conspiracy. This was the true reason he was put on Isabel's hit-list, leading to his death at the hands of Armando in Bad Boys For Life. The revelation connects all the films into an overarching conspiracy that used the power of the police and the military to further the drug-trade in Miami. This also makes McGrath and Lockwood two of the Bad Boys franchise's biggest overarching villains.

Why Mike Lets Armando Escape

Mike's Son Could Be The Future Of The Franchise

Armando was introduced in Bad Boys For Life. The chief assassin for his mother Isabel, it turns out he's also Mike's illegitmate son. At the end of Bad Boys For Life, Armando spared his father and was ultimately arrested for his crimes. Armando plays an important role in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, as he's the only one who can identify McGrath and help unspool the conspiracy in the Miama PD. Much of the film's second follows Armando as he, Mike, and Marcus try to reach the city to uncover the truth. In the film's climax, Armando works alongside Mike and his allies in AMMO to bring down McGrath, getting himself severely wounded but surviving the ensuing fight.

Having saved Howard's granddaughter Callie in the process, Armando earns an unexpected repreive from Callie's vengeful mother Judy. This gives Mike the chance to help Armando escape. Having found common ground and proven Armando is capable of redemption, Mike allows Amarndo to escape to potentially continue on a more heroic path. Armando could potentially take charge in future stories, returning to Mike's life or possibly even carrying out his own form of justice elsewhere. Mike's willingness to let Armando escapes speaks to his faith in his son, and his chances for redemption.

The Meaning Of Marcus' Visions Explained

A Near Death Experience Plays Into Marcus' Role In Bad Boys: Ride or Die's Finale

Early in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Marcus suffers a nearly fatal heart attack at Mike's wedding. This causes the character to see a series of visions that affect him for the rest of the movie, even convincing him he's become functionally invincible because it's "not his time yet." One of the most important of these visions focuses on Howard, who Marcus sees standing next to a tree and a parrot on the beach. This is when Howard seems to tell Marcus death hasn't come for him yet. This ends up serving as a portent for the finale of the film, where Marcus discovers a similar tree and parrot before being caught by McGrath.

Forced to choose between McGrath killing Marcus or his wife Theresa, Mike realizes that Marcus' belief he's unkillable was teasing that moment. Shooting Marcus non-fatally in his bullet-proof vest, Mike is able to surprise McGrath long enough to shoot the villain multiple times. Marcus survives the ending of the film, but seemingly comes to with his mortality again while insulting Mike for his decision to shoot him to save the day.

How Mike Overcomes His Panic Attacks In Bad Boys: Ride Or Die's Ending

They Are Connected To The Character's Past

One of the biggest storylines from throughout Bad Boys: For Life centers on Mike and his new pattern of having panic attacks. This is a major change for the fourth Bad Boys film, as Marcus believes that he is invincible while Mike's confidence is completely gone. It is eventually revealed that Mike blames himself for the death of his captain, with his role in the events of Bad Boys for Life and Bad Boys: Ride or Die weighing heavy on his conscience. Mike freezes up at several key points throughout the film, something that he has to overcome at the end.

In the third act of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Mike freezes up again during a vital moment. However, he then has another vision of Captain Howard, one that assures Mike that Howard's death is not his fault. This allows Mike to finally get over his guilt and return to who he once was, giving the character his confidence back. This is the push that Mike needed to complete his character arc and wrap up the story of Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

How Bad Boys: Ride Or Die Sets Up A Sequel

The Bad Boys Aren't Getting Any Younger

Bad Boys: Ride or Die ends on a largely optimistic note for the main characters, with Marcus and Mike reunited with their families safe and sound. While Mike doesn't know what's become of Armando, his role in the film's climax and their farewell indicated that the character will remain a more heroic figure in the future. A potential sequel could bring back the character and check in on his future endevors, confirming one way or the other if Mike's hopes for his son are well-founded. For AMMO, the ending of Bad Boys: Ride or Die is a major victory, with Rita and Dorn both surviving their brushes with death during the final stretch of the movie.

However, even with the secret conspiracy at the heart of the films resolved, there are some lingering aspects of the Bad Boys world that could be addressed in a sequel. Lockwood's public and romantic association with Rita could cast suspicions on her integrity going forward. The cartel alliance with Lockwood and McGrath is now over, meaning there may be a vacuum for other criminals to try and fill. Mike and Marcus are also both confronted with their mortality in the movie, which could be further focused on in a follow-up that truly forces them to reckon with their age.

Bad Boys 5 Is Not Yet Confirmed

While there are plenty of ways that the story of Bad Boys: Ride or Die could be continued in Bad Boys 5, a fifth film has sadly not been confirmed yet. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are both open to returning for Bad Boys 5, but the next film has not been announced, meaning that the studio may be waiting to see how Bad Boys: Ride or Die does before greenlighting another movie.

The Real Meaning Of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die

Working With The Future's Heroes Is The Key To Restoring The Past

One of the underlying elements of Bad Boys: Ride or Die focuses on legacy and family. The reveal that Howard had secretly been working on an investigation for a decade and a half before his death highlights the dangerous nature of their work. In each of the film's three primary parent/child relationships, the elder's willingness to stand by and trust in their child benefits the world. Mike's faith in Armando is rewarded with a chance to bring down McGrath. Marcus' son-in-law Donnie proves his mettle and saves Marcus' family, earning him some long overdue respect from Marcus. Callie stepping in front of Armando convinces Judy from killing her savior.

Each of these instances set up a greater good in the long-term, and prove crucial to both salvaging the legacy of Howard and revealing the truth about McGrath. It builds off similar themes of new generations realizing their potential in Bad Boys For Life, highlighting how the form of justice that Mike and Marcus fight thrives in others, even as they continue to throw themselves into the line of duty. Bad Boys: Ride or Die's ending highlights the value of fighting for the truth of the past alongside future generations is crucial to carrying out justice.