Expend4bles (2023), the fourth installment in The Expendables franchise, directed by Scott Waugh, brings back the high-octane action and ensemble cast that the series is known for, while introducing new faces and raising the stakes for the battle-hardened mercenaries.
The story follows the veteran team of elite operatives known as the Expendables, led by Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) and Lee Christmas (Jason Statham). This time, the team is tasked with intercepting a shipment of nuclear warheads before they fall into the wrong hands and ignite global chaos. The mission leads them to face a dangerous arms dealer named Rahmat (played by Iko Uwais), a former military officer-turned-terrorist with ties to a mysterious and powerful figure from Barney’s past.
When an initial operation goes wrong, resulting in the apparent death of Barney Ross, the team is left reeling. Leadership and responsibility fall to Lee Christmas, who must rally the remaining Expendables—including veterans Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren) and Toll Road (Randy Couture), as well as new recruits like Gina (Megan Fox), Lash (50 Cent), and Galan (Jacob Scipio)—to complete the mission and uncover the truth behind Barney’s fate.
As the team tracks Rahmat to a rogue nation where he plans to detonate the stolen warheads and trigger international conflict, they are forced to confront their own personal doubts and rivalries. The film blends explosive gunfights, brutal hand-to-hand combat, and signature one-liners, staying true to the franchise’s action-packed roots.
Eventually, it is revealed that Barney faked his death as part of a deeper strategy to draw out the real mastermind behind the plot—Ocelot, a shadowy figure who has remained hidden for years. In a climactic final act, Barney returns, and the full team reunites for an all-out assault to stop the detonation and eliminate the threat once and for all.
Expend4bles ends with the team victorious, but the toll of the mission is clear. The film pays homage to its aging warriors while signaling a possible transition to a new generation of Expendables.
Combining nostalgia, fast-paced action, and a cast of both legacy stars and fresh faces, Expend4bles continues the franchise’s legacy of over-the-top thrills and camaraderie, while injecting new energy and teasing future adventures.
